Livin‘ on the Edge

From the streets of Boston to global stardom, the journey of Aerosmith‘s Joe Perry embodies determination, perseverance, and survival through 6 decades of rock music history. Joe Milliken chronicles the guitar hero‘s early life and meteoric rise to stardom, then Aerosmith‘s tragic collapse and historic comeback. He also explores Perry‘s adventures as a solo artist, entrepreneur, and other band activities including the Joe Perry Project and the Hollywood Vampires. Intertwining exclusive interviews with childhood friends, fellow musicians, industry professionals, and other contemporaries, Livin‘ on the Edge is the definitive portrait of an iconic rock star who remains the blues-drenched, rock ‘n‘ roll soul of Aerosmith. Growing up in the suburbs of Boston, Joe Perry was obsessed with the guitar from an early age and set his sights on one goal: to become a professional musician, no matter the cost. In 1969, he met future bandmates Steven Tyler and Tom Hamilton in Sunapee, New Hampshire, and soon after, Brad Whitford and Joey Kramer joined to complete the classic Aerosmith lineup. The band moved to Boston, endured 2 years of near-poverty, and on the very day they finally signed a management deal, found themselves holding a promoter‘s contract in one hand and a looming eviction notice in the other. What followed would become one of rock‘s most legendary roller coaster rides: An explosion of fame and fortune, clashing egos, addiction, internal conflict, and break up, followed by an unlikely and triumphant comeback – an undeniable resurgence that would lead to Aerosmith‘s induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and cement their reputation as America‘s greatest rock band. Over the course of their career, Aerosmith have earned 12 multi-platinum, 18 platinum, and 25 gold records totaling over 150 million units sold worldwide, forging a legacy of accolades that includes 4 Grammy Awards, an Academy Award nomination, induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, an ASCAP Founders Award, a Tony Award, and numerous Billboard, Cashbox, People‘s Choice, MTV, Boston, and American Music Awards.