Aerosmith, considered by many to be America's greatest rock and roll band, has its roots in New Hampshire. Two members of the band, lead singer Steven Tyler and guitarist Joe Perry spent their childhood summers in Sunapee. Bassist Tom Hamilton went to nearby New London High School and lived year round in the resort town. Tyler and Perry met at the Anchorage, a Sunapee ice cream parlor, where Perry held a summer job.

In 1964, Steven Tyler formed his first serious band, The Strangeurs, in Sunapee. Later, in 1966, as Steven went into the studio to record for the first time with his band, the newly named Chain Reaction, Joe Perry and Tom Hamilton started a band of their own. By 1969, they would be called the Jam Band. Both bands would play locally and fate would bring them together. In Sunapee, back in those days there was a place called the Barn, where teenagers would gather to watch bands play. The three level barn would become a favorite hangout for the boys. Tyler, Perry and Hamilton got together to form their own band and the following year they made their first public appearance as Aerosmith.

During these early years, Aerosmith worked hard, playing everywhere they could to establish themselves. They played throughout New Hampshire, in places like the JFK Coliseum in Manchester, Holman Stadium in Nashua, the Capitol Theater in Concord and of course, at the Barn in Sunapee. They played many a high school prom. Now, more than thirty five years later, they have acheived incredible successes, touring the world, winning many a Grammy and numerous other awards, performing at the Superbowl and earning their place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. All the fame did come with a price. During the seventies, when they were at the height of their game, the band suffered through serious drug addiction, eventually splitting up. Their demons would haunt them for years to come.

They were "Back in the Saddle" by the late 80's, making their way back by re-releasing "Walk this Way" remixed with Run DMC. Some even credit them with bringing rap music into the mainstream. All this from a band originally started in the small town of Sunapee, New Hampshire. You'll find evidence of their presence here. The Anchorage is still there, though it is now a full service restaurant. A brick walkway in the harbor features bricks carved out with band members' names and a brick that simply says, "Aerosmith". Members of the band continue to maintain strong ties to the Granite State. The New Hampshire International Speedway (now called New Hampshire Motor Speedway) has attracted racing fans Brad Whitford, Tom Hamilton and drummer Joey Kramer.

In 1998, the band released the single "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" from the Armageddon soundtrack. The film starred Tyler's daughter Liv. The song earned them their first #1 single, and their only one to date. The single was also nominated for an Academy Award, another first for the band. In January 2001, the band performed during the half-time show at the Superbowl with Britney Spears, Mary J. Blige, 'N Sync and Nelly.

The band has set out on many co-headlining tours with other well-known bands over the years. In 1999 it was Kid Rock and Run D.M.C. In 2003, the Rocksimus Maximus Tour paired them up with KISS, and 2006's Route of All Evil Tour matched them up with Motley Crue. In 2007, the band set out on another world tour, hitting South America and Europe as well as some new locales, like Dubai, Russia and India.

In September 2007, Steven Tyler launched a line of custom motorcycles, the Red Wing Motorcycle Company (now called Dirico Custom Motorcycles), at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, with Stephen Talarico and Mark Dirico. "You get on one of these bikes and you can ride for days," Tyler said about the bikes, which pull 35% more horsepower than a stock Harley Davidson. "These bikes are sick, rugged, and just damn cool. And they're amazing to look at."

In early 2008, the band was purportedly back in the studio to record their final CD for Sony, but they have been sidelined with injuries (Steven Tyler had foot surgery and Joe Perry had knee replacement surgery). On April 8, 2008, Steven Tyler appeared on Opening Day at Fenway Park and sang "God Bless America" during the seventh-inning stretch. A stint in rehab followed shortly after. "To have your feet done, to have your leg done, you have to be on narcotics," Tyler told The Associated Press in late June. "You have to be on sleep aids at night. I don't know about Joe (Perry) but I was off and running and I didn't like the me that was me."

A new record has been postponed due to illness within the band. In the meantime, the band is cashing in on the popularity of the "Guitar Hero" phenomenon by focusing on their launch of Guitar Hero: Aerosmith, for Xbox 360, Playstation 2 and 3, and Nintendo Wii. The game hit stores worldwide in the summer of 2008.

The band kicked off a tour with ZZ Top in St. Louis in June 2009. In addition to ZZ Top, they offered Guitar Hero fans the chance of a lifetime, to jam onstage before the opening band. But the tour was plagued with injuries and illness. First, Brad Whitford hit his head while exiting his car and ended up with a serious head injury. Then Steven Tyler tore a muscle in his leg while performing at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut. After a few shows were cancelled, the tour got back on track, but without bass player Tom Hamilton. He was sidelined by surgery, which was reportedly due to scarring left from the radiation used to treat his throat cancer. After several more shows, the band flew out to perform at Sturgis Motorcycle Rally and Tyler tumbled from the stage, breaking his shoulder in two places and splitting his head open. He was airlifted from the scene and the rest of the tour was cancelled.

The band currently appears to be on a hiatus of sorts. Joe Perry, with his side project, The Joe Perry Project, has recorded an album, Have Guitar, Will Travel, which was released in October. In support of the record, he has scheduled some dates around the country, including a stop Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom on November 13. Click here for more information.

Steven Tyler, seemingly recovered from his shoulder injury, is doing a charity event in Concord in January. Proceeds will benefit Child and Family Services. For information about this event, click here. He is also working on a memoir that is expected to be released in the spring of 2010.

Drummer Joey Kramer also released a memoir in June 2009. Hit Hard, A Story of Hitting Rock Bottom at the Top tells the tale of Kramer's struggles with physical and emotional trauma and the nervous breakdown that he ultimately endured at the peak of the band's success.