Re: Breaking Up is Hard to Do
Or maybe not. Steven Tyler of Aerosmith recently announced that he wants to focus on his own projects. This is rock star speak for: ‘How ya like me now?!’ which is pop culture speak for: ‘I am submitting my resignation effective immediately’. In true rock star fashion, Tyler made his announcement in an interview with Classic Rock magazine so the boys from Aerosmith could read all about it at the same time that everyone else did. Lead guitarist Joe Perry then made his own announcement via Twitter that he and the rest of the band were “positively looking for a new singer to work with.” Perry and Tyler have been writing partners for 40 years. They are aged 59 and 61, respectively.
And they broke-up. On Twitter.
Steven Tyler’s daughter Mia then tweeted that Perry’s “gossiping” on Twitter was uncool. Using Twitter to denounce Twitter. Clever.
But then Tyler took to the stage with the Joe Perry Project on November 10 and told the crowd that he wasn’t leaving the band.
Perry responded by telling Rolling Stone that Tyler wants a two year break from Aerosmith but the rest of the band had not approved his vacation leave.
While you have to respect their use of new (and old) media, Tyler and Perry’s 2.0 version of a break-up should have played out differently. Even though they haven’t released a studio album of new material in 8 years, wrote a song together in 10 years or been cool for way longer than that, a 40 year relationship deserves a more dignified send-off. With that in mind, here are some ideas on better ways to disengage:
1) Face to face. Steven or Joe, invite the other over for a drink. If that whole rehab thing is in the way, order a pizza.
2) Use a facilitator. Sometimes things can get contentious in a face to face meeting. Have a third party who loves you both serve as a calming influence. Do you still have groupies?
3) Write a bucket list and work together to fulfill it. That falling off the stage mishap, Steven? It was a sign.
4) Run-DMC saved you once. They can do it again. Don’t be afraid to lean on Rev Run. Six seasons (and counting) of doling out parental wisdom on Run’s House have to count for something, right?
5) “It’s me. Not you.” It’s a classic for a reason! Sure, it’s not really honest but in this case it might be, particularly for you Steven. You seem to have already laid the groundwork here when you said you wanted to focus on “Brand Tyler.” This should probably be a line of scarves rather than anything musical but that’s another issue.
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