Whether it’s Billy Idol, Chris Cornell, or a complete unknown, if anyone tries to take over for Steven Tyler in Aerosmith, Tyler just might take the band to court. In a recent letter, Tyler’s attorney calls on the band’s management to "immediately cease and desist" the rumored search for a new frontman and reiterates that Tyler intends to continue in his iconic role with the band—which plans to record a new album and tour later this year—after completing therapy for painkiller addiction.
“Steven Tyler does not want lawsuits,” his lawyer tells Billboard, but the letter—which posits that “Aerosmith without Steven Tyler is like the Rolling Stones without Mick Jagger, or U2 without Bono”—reserves his right to engage in one. “Steven is Aerosmith, along with the others,” his attorney says. “He's the guy the public knows. He's the singer. I'm blown away that the current manager would even suggest” replacing him.
(More Steven Tyler stories.)