“In my mind, we could be like the Yardbirds in those rare times when you had Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck together. That’s what we wanted Aerosmith to be”: Joe Perry reflects on 50 years of America’s greatest rock band

Joe Perry.

Joe Perry has still got it. That much is true. Considering he’s 73, you’d think he’d be slowing down, but here’s the thing – he’s not. Perry is as nimble-fingered as ever. And as I prepare to settle in for what amounts to a two-hour call with the veteran gunslinger, it becomes apparent that Perry is not only nimble but busy, too.

“I’ve been running around all week getting ready for the [Hollywood] Vampires tour,” Perry says. “It’s been crazy. It blows my fucking mind how busy we’ve been. When we started, I never expected to be this busy, but it’s been great. I’ve got all my guitars loaded up, and we’re ready to go.”