Profile: Steven Tyler: Rock IconThis is a new experience for me. I am not easily impressed...by celebrities, money, cars, whatever. That is not to say that I don't appreciate talent, beauty, and aesthetics. I love films, theater, opera, ballet, music, and art. But it hasto be the very best. I guess you might say I'm a cultural snob. Give me Puccini,Bach, Beethoven, and Shakespeare. Choreographers like Balanchine and Bob Fosse.Performers like Baryshnikov and Susanne Farrell. And DeNiro, Pacino, Depp, Miles Davis, Coltrane, Parker, Chris Botti and Yo Yo Ma. As well as Playwrights likeIbsen, O'Neill and Mamet and writers like Garcia Lorca. And I can't leave out painters like Matisse, Renoir, and Degas. I've seen, read or read about every single one of them. And those experiences have certainly infused and influenced mytaste in the arts.So why am I impressed with Steven Tyler? One reason is because I love rock musicand he's an icon. My kids grew up in the 70s and I was exposed to all of it. Another reason is I think Tyler is an unusually fine talent and performer, although I must admit I was not a fan until very recently. When he became a judge on American Idol, I wanted to know all about him. So I started reading articles and scanning the net for information about him. Turns out he's a pretty nice, compassionate guy. Yes, he had a drug problem at one time, but he dug himself out of itand I think that is to be admired.Then, after seeing and hearing several of his concerts and videos, I became aware of how talented he is and what a brilliant performer. What really locked it infor me was a concert I saw him do with Chris Botti, amazing jazz trumpet player, and the Boston Pops orchestra. I've posted it here so you can see what I mean.If you are not a Rock enthusiast, you might wonder why Tyler is screaming through most of the first piece. It's certainly not because he can't sing without doing so, as is evidenced in the second song, Smile. No, the screaming is part of arock singer's persona and so they can be heard above the electric guitars. Alsopart of that persona is flamboyant clothing, long hair, jewelry, makeup, and outrageous behavior on stage. It all adds to the theatrics that make rock what it is. And Tyler is masterful when it comes to all this, besides being a damned goodsinger. He certainly demands attention and has thousands of followers.Some people are turned off by him. They forget the extreme dress and behavior isall part of the package. They don't think of it in terms of creating a persona.And it is a persona. The outrageous behavior is only part of the real person, as is evidenced when you see him in another venue, such as American Idol. His warmth, humor, and sensitivity come through loud and strong. Yes, he's wearing weird stuff...feathers, long coats, and ruffled shirts. And yes he's saying some weird stuff, but that's all part of the package. After all he's in show business and extremes are his high cards. They are part of his brand, so to speak.In a review, Richard Rushfield, a former Times staffer and author of the book American Idol: The Untold Story , said: "Amazing singer and front man, funny, sarcastic, off-the-wall, quirky Italian. Yes, thatâ
s Tyler but did you know he was alsokind, generous, caring and a wonderful father? Steven Tyler: rock legend, Liv Tyler's dad, and now American Idol judge has been in show business so long, we feel like we practically know the guy."Tyler is a phenomenon in himself," says Rushfield "[he} gives some of the thrills that the Osbournes brought, of seeing one of the few true gods of rock in a seemingly relaxed setting. His presence in the early episodes has brought a lot of energy and life to a production that had felt listless and bored with itself in recent years." Tyler is extremely seductive. If you havenâ
t done so already, justwatch him for a while, youâ
ll see what I mean.Many would agree that rock's all-time charismatic and entertaining frontman woul
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