Ever wondered why a band would replace one of their own guitarists on a pivotal album? It’s a move that can spark controversy, and that’s exactly what happened with Aerosmith’s 1974 album Get Your Wings. But here’s where it gets controversial: Joe Perry, the band’s iconic guitarist, was sidelined on a few tracks—much to his dismay. Why? Let’s dive into the story behind this bold decision and the ripple effects it had on the band’s evolution.
Aerosmith’s Get Your Wings wasn’t just another album; it was a turning point for the Boston-based group. As they were carving out their signature sound, they also teamed up with producer Jack Douglas for the first time. This partnership would prove to be game-changing, but not without a few bumps along the way. During a recent episode of the Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan podcast, Douglas shed light on the decision to bring in outside guitarists Dick Wagner and Steve Hunter for a couple of tracks—a move that Perry didn’t take lightly.
Joe Perry was a force of nature on the guitar, but at that stage in his career, his raw, instinctive style sometimes clashed with the technical demands of certain songs. Douglas described Perry as a ‘dangerous’ player—not in a bad way, but because his gut-driven approach often led him to ignore musical boundaries like keys or scales. While this unpredictability worked brilliantly for many tracks, others required a more disciplined touch.
And this is the part most people miss: It wasn’t about Perry’s talent, which was undeniable. It was about the band’s growth and the need for precision on songs like ‘Same Old Song and Dance’ and ‘Train Kept a Rollin’. ‘A couple of those songs needed the discipline that they didn’t have at that point,’ Douglas explained. When he pitched the idea to frontman Steven Tyler, Tyler immediately understood. Perry, however, was less than thrilled. ‘Joe took it really badly,’ Douglas admitted, though it only affected a handful of tracks.
Despite the initial tension, Get Your Wings became a catalyst for Aerosmith’s transformation. Released on March 15, 1974, the album sold over 3 million copies and helped the band gain national recognition. More importantly, it pushed them to refine their skills. ‘They came back completely different musicians,’ Douglas noted, highlighting their growth by the time they recorded Toys in the Attic. The experience, though challenging, was a necessary step in their evolution.
But here’s the question that lingers: Was replacing Perry on those tracks the right call, or did it undermine the band’s chemistry? Some might argue that it was a pragmatic decision that elevated the album, while others could see it as a betrayal of the band’s raw, unfiltered spirit. What do you think? Was this a necessary sacrifice for artistic growth, or a missed opportunity to embrace their imperfections? Let’s spark a debate in the comments—because when it comes to Aerosmith’s legacy, there’s always more than one way to rock the story.
