Steven Tyler, the lead singer of the Boston-based band Aerosmith, has voluntarily entered a treatment program following a recent relapse, the 74-year-old’s bandmates confirmed on Tuesday.
“After foot surgery to prepare for the stage and the necessity of pain management during the process, he has recently relapsed and voluntarily entered a treatment program to concentrate on his health and recovery,” the announcement continued.
The statement added that the band are canceling the first set of dates of their Las Vegas residency so Tyler can focus on his well-being. The group’s “Deuces Are Wild” residency was slated to kick off at Park MGM’s Dolby Live on June 17.
“We are truly sorry to inform our fans and friends that we must cancel our first set of Las Vegas Residency dates this June and July while he focuses on his well-being,” Aerosmith said.
“We will continue our 2022 dates starting in September, and we'll let you know any further updates as soon as we can,” the joint statement reads. “We are devastated that we have inconvenienced so many of you, especially our most loyal fans who often travel great distances to experience our shows.”
“Thank you for your understanding and for your support for Steven during this time,” the announcement concluded.
Tyler has been open about his struggles with substance abuse in the past, revealing in 2019 that his bandmates had staged an intervention on him in 1988, urging the legendary frontman to seek help for his drug addiction.
“There was a moment in ‘88 when management and the band pulled an intervention on me,” Tyler told the magazine. “They thought, ’Get the lead singer sober, and all our problems would be over.' So, I got sober, and you know it took me many years to get over the anger of them sending me to rehab while they went on vacation.”
Tyler started using again in the early 2000s after another post-surgery relapse. He then was treated for prescription drug abuse in 2009.
