Artist Profile: Joe Perry

Artist Profile: Joe Perry

By Hunter60

Perhaps The Projects biggest problem was that they never nailed down a solid line up with each of their three albums featured a different vocalist and Perry himself seemed unsettled in what style and direction he wanted to go with the group.

The Project ended shortly after a brief tour with Huey Lewis and The News in 1984. On the verge of collapse from drugs and teetering on the edge of bankruptcy, Perry (along with Whitford) made amends with Tyler and rejoined with Aerosmith.

As one of their first projects, Tyler and Perry opted to collaborate with RUN D.M.C. in 1986 for a re-make of the Aerosmith hit "Walk This Way" which gave the band some much needed credibility and rocketed them back into the music's consciousness. The remake is credited with helping breaking rap into the mainstream landing at #5 in the US and #8 in the UK. Shortly after, the members of Aerosmith complete drug rehab, the band launched phase two of their careers with successes with "Permanent Vacation", "Pump", "Get A Grip" and "Done With Mirrors".

Perry released his first solo effort, the self-titled "Joe Perry" in 2005. recorded at his home studio with Perry playing every instrument except the drums, was received somewhat favorably and had the track "Mercy" nominated for a Grammy in 2006 for Best Rock Instrumental.

Branching out a bit from music, Perry has created and sells his own line of gourmet hot sauces called "Rock Your World Hot Sauces" via his website with promises of ventures in Mac-n-Cheese as well. Apparently you can order a quesadilla at the Hard Rock Café, which features a flavor of Perry's latest hot sauce venture. There are also rumors circulating that Perry and Tyler along with some other backers co-own a restaurant, Mount Blue, in Norwell, Massachusetts.

Rock critic, journalist and some times musician Lester Bangs once said of hard rock in America in the early 70's that it was 'working mans heavy metal' and that has always seemed to be about as appropriate a label as anything I have ever heard for the band and specifically for Joe Perry. He is a sneering, swaggering working mans guitarist with the chops to back it up.
There are blues players. There are rockers. There are blues-rockers and then there are the hybrids that can easily skate between the labels. That's Joe Perry.