Come Together

Zoo Freaks, get ready to groove with the Zoo Crew as they spin Aerosmith’s hard-rocking cover of “Come Together” from the Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band: Movie Soundtrack! This 1978 rendition of the Beatles’ classic is a standout, with Steven Tyler’s gritty vocals and Joe Perry’s searing guitar riffs transforming the song into a raw, electrifying anthem. One juicy piece of trivia comes from Aerosmith’s own recounting in their 1997 autobiography, Walk This Way. The band was initially skeptical about joining the film project, and the original script had Peter Frampton’s character killing off Steven Tyler’s. Aerosmith pushed back, insisting the script be flipped, as they felt Frampton’s lighter pop style didn’t outmatch their hard-rock edge. The final film saw their Future Villain Band surviving the chaotic battle scene, delivering one of the movie’s most memorable moments.

Another tidbit from a 2018 Yahoo interview with Joe Perry reveals the band’s mixed feelings about the project. Perry admitted they were “contemptuous” at first, wary of the film’s campy vibe, but saw it as a chance to work with legendary Beatles producer George Martin. Their recording of “Come Together” hit No. 23 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming one of the only critically praised tracks from the soundtrack, which was otherwise panned as a commercial flop. Steven Tyler later reflected in the same autobiography that the Beatles revival fever of the late ’70s, coupled with Robert Stigwood’s massive budget from hits like Grease, lured them in. The band’s involvement was also a financial move, as they were investors in the Beatles tribute show Beatlemania, making the project a strategic fit despite its risks.

Delving into Aerosmith’s origins, the “Bad Boys from Boston” formed in 1970 when Steven Tyler, then Steven Tallarico, merged his band Chain Reaction with Joe Perry and Tom Hamilton’s Jam Band. As detailed on This Day In Music, Tyler, born in 1948 in Manhattan, had been gigging in New Hampshire, while Perry and Hamilton were jamming in Boston. Drummer Joey Kramer, who knew Tyler and dreamed of playing with him, joined the mix, and guitarist Ray Tabano completed the early lineup. After moving into a shared home at 1325 Commonwealth Avenue in Boston, they honed their bluesy, Rolling Stones-inspired sound. Kramer suggested the name “Aerosmith,” inspired by Harry Nilsson’s Aerial Ballet album, after rejecting names like “the Hookers.” By 1971, Brad Whitford replaced Tabano, and the band built a local following, catching the eye of Columbia Records’ Clive Davis at a New York gig, leading to a $125,000 deal in 1972.

Aerosmith’s early years were marked by relentless touring and recording, with their 1973 debut album featuring “Dream On” laying the groundwork for stardom. Their 1975 album Toys in the Attic and 1976’s Rocks cemented their status as arena-rock giants, though drug abuse nearly derailed them by the late ’70s, as noted in their Wikipedia bio. Their “Come Together” cover was their last Top 40 hit for nearly a decade until their 1980s comeback with albums like Permanent Vacation. Today, Aerosmith remains a rock legend, with over 150 million albums sold and a 2001 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Stay connected with Aerosmith through their official channels: visit their website at www.aerosmith.com, follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fans can also join the Aero Force One fan club on their site for exclusive content. For community vibes, check out fan-driven spaces like the Aerosmith Fan Club on Facebook or explore fan sites such as AeroForceOne.com for tour news, forums, and more.