When Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler talks about rock music, people listen. Decades onstage have given him a front-row seat to the bands that reshaped rock — and he’s been open about who inspired him. In interviews Tyler repeatedly praises giants like Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, AC/DC and Guns N’ Roses, and his comments help explain why those groups keep getting called “the greatest.”
Tyler’s admiration isn’t vague fan-talk — he’s named specific bands and songs across interviews and lists. He’s often singled out Led Zeppelin for sheer power and mystery; the pair’s onstage intensity and Jimmy Page’s guitar work are touchstones for Tyler’s own vocal dramatics. Tyler has even told stories about jamming with members of Zeppelin, calling the experience unforgettable.
He’s also a long-time champion of The Rolling Stones — so much so that Tyler has publicly picked favorite Stones tracks and explained how Mick Jagger’s swagger and the band’s blues roots shaped his own stage persona. Those on-the-record choices underscore why the Stones often top “greatest bands” lists.
And while the Beatles are an obvious entry for many rock lists, Tyler’s respect for their songwriting craft and cross-genre impact shows up repeatedly in conversations about influences and the evolution of modern rock.
In a candid moment with TIME in 2012, Tyler didn’t hold back. “Best rock and roll band on the planet,” Steven said, referring to AC/DC. “Well, short of the Stones. I wouldn’t even put us in that category.”
“I went and played with them while I was in outs with Aerosmith. Robert Plant is such a great artist.”
“I didn’t think a band like Led Zeppelin needed a singer like me. They already had the best; they were the best. Robert used to say, ‘I think I could sing and shear a few sheep at the same time.’ I can think of a few things I could do while singing, but that ain’t one of them.”
“It’s always been one of my wishes, even when I was using, to write a song with Keith Richards. Or to write a song with Little Richard. Or Paul McCartney, for that matter. But these people didn’t think I was cool enough. I’ll never meet them.”