Aerosmith

The best-selling American hard rock band of all time, Aerosmith have sold over 150m albums around the world and in many ways define the hard rock genre with lurid stories of life on the road. Formed in Boston when Joe Perry and Tom Hamilton - then playing together in the Jam Band - met Steven Tyler, Joey Kramer and guitarist Ray Tabano and decided to form a no-nonsense rock outfit. Signed to Columbia in 1972, they hit it big with the Toys In The Attic and Rocks album in 1975 and 1976. Their hard-living party approach took its toll and their story is littered with internal conflicts and personnel changes, but their dangerous image helped sustain popularity and Perry is regarded as one of the world's greatest guitarists. Their career was rejuvenated in 1987 when they collaborated with rappers Run DMC on a unique rock/hip-hop re-recording of one of their big early hits Walk This Way.