Steven Tyler threatens to sue if he's booted from Aerosmith

By Eriq Gardner

UPDATED: Steven Tyler still wants to be the lead singer of Aerosmith and has asked his lawyer to make it happen.

Skip Miller at L.A.'s Miller Barondess recently sent a letter to Aerosmith's management that demands the band cease any plans to replace Tyler as frontman, according to Billboard. In the letter, Miller writes, "We reserve all of our legal rights and remedies in this matter, including, without limitation, pursuing legal action for damages and other appropriate relief."

If Tyler goes to court over the band's name, he wouldn't be the first. Members of the Beach Boys spent seven years in litigation before finally reaching a settlement. Recently, the estate of '90s ska-punk band Sublime lead singer Bradley Nowell got an injunction preventing other members of the band from performing under the Sublime name.

Most of these claims are predicated on trademark grounds. A search at the USPTO's Web site reveals that the trademark rights to Aerosmith are held by Rag Doll Merchandising, Inc.  (likely a reference to the band's 1987 classic "Rag Doll").

Miller is calling for a meeting of Aerosmith's shareholders on Feb. 9 to discuss the band's future, including a new album and tour.

UPDATE: We're told that if Tyler sues, he'll focus on corporation issues rather than trademark claims.

Comments

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I love Aerosmith. The analogy Tyler’s manager used is fitting. It is like replacing Mick Jagger in the Rolling Stones. You can’t. I think it is time to hang it up if they cannot resolve this. There is no other option of getting a new singer. That is ridiculous at this point. I saw Aerosmith this past summer. They still have it if they want to do it.