Steven Tyler 066

Look closer for the Aerosmith logo and five song lyrics: “So I took a big chance at the high school dance with a missy who was ready to play” (Walk This Way); “Honey what you done to your head”(You See Me Crying); “Talk about things that nobody cares”(Sweet Emotion); “Toys, Toys, Toys in the attic”(Toys in the Attic); “Maybe tomorrow the Good Lord will take you away”(Dream On)

The story:

Steven Tyler

Steven Victor Tallarico (born March 26, 1948), known professionally as Steven Tyler, is an American singer, best known as the lead singer of the Boston-based rock band Aerosmith, in which he also plays the harmonica, piano, and percussion. He is known as the “Demon of Screamin'” due to his high screams and his powerful wide vocal range.^[3] He is also known for his on-stage acrobatics. During his performances, Tyler usually dresses in colorful (and sometimes androgynous) outfits and makeup with his trademark scarves hanging from his microphone stand.

In the 1970s, Tyler rose to prominence as the lead singer of Aerosmith, which released such hard rock albums as Toys in the Attic and Rocks, along with a string of hit singles, including “Dream On”, “Sweet Emotion” and “Walk This Way”. By the late 1970s and early 1980s, Tyler had a heavy drug and alcohol addiction and the band’s popularity waned. In 1986, Tyler completed drug rehabilitation and Aerosmith rose to prominence again when Tyler and Joe Perry joined Run-DMC for a re-make of “Walk This Way,” which became a Top 5 hit. Aerosmith subsequently launched a comeback with the multi-platinum albums Permanent Vacation, Pump, Get a Grip and Nine Lives, which produced a combined thirteen Top 40 singles and won the band numerous awards. During this time, the band embarked on their longest concert tours, promoted their singles with conceptual music videos, and made appearances in television, film and video games.

Since the late 1980s, Tyler has embarked on several solo endeavors, including guest appearances with musicians such as Alice Cooper, Mötley Crüe, Santana, Pink and Keith Anderson, film and TV work, authoring a book, and solo music, including the Top 40 single “(It) Feels So Good” in 2011. Tension with his Aerosmith bandmates boiled in 2009 and 2010 after he fell off the stage at a concert, had a relapse with prescription drugs, receiving treatment in 2009, and signed on to American Idol without telling his bandmates. But Tyler has continued to record music and perform with Aerosmith, after more than 50 years in the band. In 2016, Tyler released his debut solo album, We’re All Somebody from Somewhere, a country rock album that included the single “Love Is Your Name”. Tyler supported the album with the “Out on a Limb” Tour. Tyler continues to perform both solo, with backing from the Loving Mary Band, and with Aerosmith.

Tyler is included among Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest Singers. He was ranked third on Hit Parader‘s Top 100 Metal Vocalists of All Time. In 2001, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Aerosmith and in 2013, Tyler and his songwriting partner Joe Perry received the ASCAP Founders Award and were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Aerosmith.

In 1998, while on tour in support of Nine Lives, Tyler suffered a ligament injury when a microphone stand fell hard onto his knee. Tyler and the band finished the show, but they had to cancel several dates, and Tyler had to wear a leg cast while filming the video for “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing”. The song was the band’s first number-one hit and the only song to date by a rock band to debut at number one on the Hot 100. It has since become a slow-dance staple, and at the time introduced Aerosmith and Steven Tyler to yet another new generation. The song was written for the film Armageddon, which featured Tyler’s daughter Liv. In 1999, Tyler and Perry joined Kid Rock and Run–D.M.C. to perform “Walk This Way” at the MTV Video Music Awards. Earlier that year, the band had the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith open at Walt Disney World.

-credit Wikipedia

I always thought Seven Tyler wrote the song, “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” about his daughter, Liv. I even thought about my own children and my children’s children while I was rendering the illustration. I was wrong about the song. Even so, it brought many happy thoughts.

-Tobin Bortner

The artwork: 

The first print of this illustration will be sold in a silent auction to benefit a non-profit. . .contact lisafromlsu@gmail.com for info.

Digital Print on Archival Matte – Original illustration done in graphite and the following prisma colors: Violet Blue and Periwinkle for Blues Rock; Hot Pink for Tyler performing with Pink; Sunburst Yellow for the line from Uncle Salty: “Ooh it’s a sunny day outside my window”; Gold for the line from Back In The Saddle: “Fool’s gold out of their mines”; and Pale Vermillion
Artist: Tobin Bortner of Bastrop, Texas – drawing done in October of 2022 – ©Tobin Signs/Look Closer Illustrations 
DERIVATIVE Work – photo credit: Face and jacket – unexpected medical issues, pursuit_ca – Depositphotos_109118506_original-e1506632214196; microphone with scarf – countrymusicnation_com – stevent

What you get:
$40 (36.95 + 3.05 tax)
11 x 14 Print Package with Authenticity Sheet
signed and numbered (run of 120)
Domestic Priority Mail $8 (Free shipping)