Steven Tyler Discusses 'The Anger' He Felt When Aerosmith Sent Him To Rehab

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Steven Tyler's road to sobriety has not been an easy one, but as the Aerosmith frontman reflects on his past, he's grateful for the people who pushed him to get treatment — even if he admits to feeling anger towards his bandmates for "many years" after they pushed him to go to rehab in the '80s.

“There were no such things as rehabs; there were mental institutions. I went away in ’84 and ’86, and I didn’t really get it,” he explained to Haute Living, referring to some of his failed attempts at getting, and staying, sober. “The early 80s were terrible, and drugs took us down. I was the first one to get treatment.”

His third stint came in 1988, after his bandmates and management "pulled an intervention" on him. That's the one that really got to the rockstar. “They thought, ‘Get the lead singer sober, and all our problems would be over,'” he said. “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.”

As time passed, the 71-year-old's feelings about that moment have changed. "But today because of that moment," he said, "I am grateful and owe a thanks to them for my sobriety.”

He and his bandmates have been there for each other through their highest highs and lowest lows, and that relationship is something Tyler treasures. ”I have had many times in my life where I just couldn’t handle, whether it was a marriage or my addiction had reared its ugly head, and the rest of the guys in the band are not unlike that. But we have all seen each other through it, and we are here today,” he said. ”My whole life is dreams coming true. I am so beyond grateful for it all.”

Aerosmith was recently named MusiCares' 2020 Person of the Year and will be celebrated with a gala featuring performances by the likes of Foo Fighters and Alice Cooper. The rock legends have also extended their Deuces Are Wild Las Vegas residency into 2020. Tickets for those shows are available now.

Photo: Getty Images


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