Steven Tyler Talks Up New Aerosmith Album at ‘Idol’ Finale

'It’s the kind of thing where it represents who you are'

By Rolling Stone | News & Updates May 25, 2012

Steven Tyler Performs On America Idol (Photo: Michael Becker/FOX)

Steven Tyler spoke about the new Aerosmith record, Music from Another Dimension, during a press conference at last night’s American Idol finale.

“It’s the kind of thing where it represents who you are,” the frontman and Idol judge said. ”Who are you? We don’t know. Sometimes our music speaks for us so this album – as Joe Perry said on one of his solo records – ‘Let the music do the talking,’ and this one does.”

The album is slated to drop August 28th, and Aerosmith premiered the album’s first single, “Legendary Child,” in a performance during last night’s show.

Tyler added, “Your album is like a wave, and you ride that album all the way and see what you got. Hopefully we have three or four deep, which means radio play … Jack Douglas and I and Joe … we worked this thing for the last year, and we’re so happy about it.”

Their performance also marks the first time Aerosmith has performed on Idol since Tyler joined the show in 2010, a decision that caused some turmoil within the group, making the chances for an Idol performance seem slim at the time.

“Well, we’re doing an album,” said Tyler last night about the group making their Idol debut. “It was the right time. This the first time we’ve ever had a chance to play live, the first song. The song off the album that we did depicts who we are.”

During the press conference, Tyler was also asked whether he’d be upset if fellow judge Jennifer Lopez didn’t return next year, as rumors have suggested.

“Probably. Everything evolves, though,” he said. “Who you’re gonna sit next to makes it really worthwhile. Don’t take that out of context!”

Tyler also heaped some praise on fellow frontman Mick Jagger for his recent dual hosting/musical guest gig on Saturday Night Live‘s season finale, which had the Stones frontman impersonating Tyler.

“He could have done, ‘Yakakakaow!’” said Tyler, suggesting his signature scream. “He could have done the bastard son of Mick Jagger. There could have been so many skits. I thought he looked good in his long hair. I’ve always wanted him to grow it back. He looked good. It was fun.”