Paul Rodgers Confirms Being Approached To Front Aerosmith

In an interview with Spinner.com, legendary vocalist Paul Rodgers (Free/Bad Company/The Firm/Queen +Paul Rodgers) confirmed being approached by Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry to replace frontman Steven Tyler, and subsequently turned down that offer during the period when it appeared Steven Tyler might be leaving the band.

An excerpt from the interview follows below :

Were you ever contacted to replace Steven Tyler in Aerosmith?

Well, yes, I was, actually. Joe Perry came up to me at another awards celebration. And he said that Steve was not really interested in touring anymore at the moment, and they were all ready to tour and that they were looking for somebody to take that slot. And I said to him, "You know ... maybe you guys ought to rethink that." And I'm happy to see that they're up and running now because they're a fabulous band.

Did you not want to do that just because you had already done the Queen thing?

I think so. As I said earlier, Queen was an exception -- joining forces with an actual band that existed. Because in the past I've always formed a band and then written a whole catalog of songs for that band.

To read the entire interview go to this location.

Paul Rodgers Turned Down Aerosmith Gig

Classic Rock Magazine has revealed that Joe Perry of Aerosmith asked Paul Rodgers to replace Steven Tyler – but Rodgers refused.

The conversation took place at November's Classic Rock Roll of Honour Awards, at which Perry and Rodgers were both guests. Editor-in-chief Scott Rowley introduced the stars to each other and a colleague was nearby while they chatted.

Rowley's colleague explains: "Perry said he'd long admired Rodgers as a vocalist, and mentioned Aerosmith were having trouble with Steven's erratic behavior.

"Perry got straight to the point and asked Rodgers whether he'd be interested in singing for Aerosmith.

"I think he was quote surprised by Perry's invitation, which came right out of the blue. He regained his composure and thanked Perry, but said he was committed to the reunion of Bad Company, so singing in Aerosmith wouldn't be possible."

Perry recently confirmed the band were actively looking to replace Tyler, although it's not clear whether it would be permanent. The band have been near collapse since communications broke down between the singer and bandmates after his stage fall in August.

Tyler has returned to rehab and has made two unusual public appearances in the past week - one at a Palm Desert karaoke bar and one in a Home Depot store.