Editing Steven Tyler (section)

=== Decline of Aerosmith (1979–1983) ===
As the decade wore on, the fast-paced life of touring, recording, living together and using drugs began to take its toll on the band. Tyler and Perry often were called the [[Toxic Twins]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/poll-best-aerosmith-song-vote/|title=Poll: What's the Best Aerosmith Song? - Vote Now|website=Loudwire|date=August 16, 2021 }}</ref> for their legendary intake of [[stimulant]]s and heroin.

''Night in the Ruts'' was released in November 1979, but managed to sell only enough records to be certified gold at the time, although it would eventually sell enough copies to be certified platinum by 1994. The only single the album spawned, a cover of "[[Remember (Walking in the Sand)]]" by [[the Shangri-Las]], peaked at number 67 on the Billboard Hot 100.<ref name="Aerosmith Chart Positions"/> The tour for ''Night in the Ruts'' commenced shortly thereafter, but the band found themselves playing in smaller and smaller venues than before because their popularity was beginning to wane. Tyler's drug issues were starting to affect his performance and songwriting, and he reached rock bottom in 1980 when he collapsed on stage during a show in [[Portland, Maine]] and did not get up for the remainder of the set.<ref>Davis, p. 371</ref> Also in 1980, Aerosmith released their first compilation album, ''[[Greatest Hits (Aerosmith album)|Greatest Hits]]''. While the compilation didn't chart very high initially, it gained popularity later, and went on to become the band's best selling album in the United States, with sales of 12 million copies.<ref name="RIAA&nbsp;— Searchable Database" /> In the fall of 1980, Tyler was injured in a serious motorcycle accident, which left him hospitalized for two months and unable to tour or record well into 1981.<ref>Davis, pp. 373–374</ref>

''Rock in a Hard Place'' was released on August 27, 1982. The album reached number 32 on the Billboard 200 album chart.<ref name="RIAA&nbsp;— Searchable Database" /> Only one single charted, the aforementioned "Lightning Strikes", which peaked at number 21 on the ''Billboard'' [[Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks|Mainstream Rock]] chart.<ref name="Aerosmith Chart Positions"/> As with the tour for ''Night in the Ruts'', Aerosmith was unable to book larger venues, and instead had to rely on filling clubs and theaters. At a homecoming arena show in [[Worcester, Massachusetts]], Tyler and Perry got high backstage before the show. Tyler was so intoxicated that he collapsed onstage again.<ref>Davis, p. 400</ref>

Tyler recalled, "I made like $4 or $5 million by 1979, and by '83... I lost it all. I remember in the early days looking at another fucked-up rock 'n' roll star and thinking, 'I will never end up like that, man.' They had all these riches and blew it all. That would never happen to me... I forgot about reality and just loved shooting dope and coke. Stupid."<ref>{{cite journal|first= Ben |last= Raworth |title= Quote, Unquote: Steven Tyler |journal= [[FHM]] |date=April 1997|page=62}}</ref>

In 1984, Aerosmith embarked on a reunion tour called the [[Back in the Saddle Tour]],<ref name="allmusic" /> which led to the live album ''[[Classics Live II]]''. While concerts on the tour were well-attended, it was plagued with several incidents, mostly attributed to drug abuse by band members.<ref name="allmusic" /> With their drug problems still not behind them, the group was signed to [[Geffen Records]] and began working on a comeback.<ref name="Biography.com" />

In 1985, the band released the album ''[[Done with Mirrors]]''. While the album did receive some positive reviews,<ref>{{cite web|title=Allmusic&nbsp;– ''Done with Mirrors''&nbsp;– Review|author=Stephen Thomas Erlewine|website=[[AllMusic]]|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r177|pure_url=yes}} | access-date=April 1, 2008}}</ref> it only went gold<ref name="RIAA&nbsp;— Searchable Database" /> and failed to produce a hit single or generate any widespread interest.<ref name="Aerosmith Chart Positions"/> Nevertheless, the band became a popular concert attraction once again, touring in support of ''Done with Mirrors'', well into 1986.<ref>{{cite web|title=Aerosmith&nbsp;– Done With Mirrors Tour|publisher=[[Aero Force One]]|url=http://www.aeroforceone.com/index.cfm?pid=804189|access-date=April 1, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080420102217/http://www.aeroforceone.com/index.cfm?pid=804189|archive-date=April 20, 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1986, in an unprecedented crossover collaboration, Aerosmith (largely the additional contributions of leaders Tyler and Perry) appeared on [[Run–D.M.C.]]'s cover of "[[Walk This Way]]",<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://anchor.fm/cover/episodes/Walk-This-Way-ec4c5j|title=Walk This Way by Uncovering the Cover • A podcast on Anchor|website=Anchor|language=en|access-date=2020-04-10|archive-date=April 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200410221231/https://anchor.fm/cover/episodes/Walk-This-Way-ec4c5j|url-status=dead}}</ref> a track [[rap rock|blending rock and roll with hip hop]].<ref name="mtv" /> In reaching number 4 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100,<ref name="Rock on the Net">{{cite web|title=Rock on the Net: Aerosmith|publisher=RockOntheNet.com|url=http://www.rockonthenet.com/artists-a/aerosmith_main.htm|access-date=March 29, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080410152908/http://www.rockonthenet.com/artists-a/aerosmith_main.htm|archive-date=April 10, 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref> the song and its frequently-aired video resurrected Aerosmith's career by introducing the band's music to a new generation.<ref name="Biography.com">{{cite web|title=Aerosmith Biography|publisher=Biography.com|url=http://www.biography.com/search/article.do?id=9542493&page=3 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20081216115424/http://www.biography.com/search/article.do?id=9542493&page=3 |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 16, 2008|access-date=April 4, 2008}}</ref>

In 1986, Tyler completed a successful [[drug rehabilitation]] program after an intervention by his fellow band members, a doctor, and manager [[Tim Collins (manager)|Tim Collins]]. The rest of the band members also completed drug rehab programs over the course of the next couple of years.<ref>Davis, pp. 1–15</ref>