Aerosmith’s 1974 album Get Your Wings is often remembered as the moment the band began transforming from a rough, up-and-coming rock group into a major arena-rock force. The album featured bigger production, stronger songwriting, and a clearer sense of the band’s identity. But behind the scenes, something unusual happened — something many fans don’t know.
Some of the guitar parts on the album were not played by Joe Perry, even though he was (and still is) the band’s famous lead guitarist. Instead, a few songs feature parts recorded by session guitarists who stepped in during the studio process.
In this blog post, we’ll break down what happened, why it happened, and how it shaped the band moving forward.
A Band Under Intense Pressure
When Aerosmith went into the studio for Get Your Wings, they weren’t rock legends yet. Their first album had only moderate success, and their label expected a stronger follow-up. The band had to prove they could deliver something bigger, better, and more polished.
Because of this pressure, the recording sessions were long, stressful, and demanding. Aerosmith wanted to show they had what it took, but at this point in their career, they were still learning how to record professionally. Studio work requires a level of precision and consistency that young bands don’t always have right away.
During this time, Joe Perry was dealing with both personal and creative stress. While he was still fully part of the band, there were moments in the recording process where he wasn’t available or where the producer felt the songs needed something different — something tighter or more polished.
Why Session Guitarists Were Brought In
The producer, Jack Douglas (with help from Bob Ezrin), made a difficult decision. On a few songs, they brought in session musicians to play certain guitar parts. These musicians were Steve Hunter and Dick Wagner — highly skilled players who had experience stepping into studio sessions to quickly record clean, precise tracks.
This wasn’t done to push Joe Perry out of the band. It was simply a practical choice at the time. The record label wanted the album finished on schedule, and the producer wanted the songs to sound as strong as possible.
While the band never released an official list of which songs feature these session guitarists, fans and historians generally agree that a few tracks on Get Your Wings have a noticeably smoother guitar style that differs from Perry’s usual raw, gritty sound.
How the Band Reacted
Naturally, Joe Perry and fellow guitarist Brad Whitford were not happy when they found out about this. As young musicians trying to prove themselves, it felt like a blow to their confidence. But they chose to move forward, and in the long run, the experience pushed them to grow stronger as players.
Looking back, both guitarists have said that this moment, while painful, taught them important lessons about the music industry — especially how high the expectations were for professional rock bands.
The Bigger Picture
Despite the behind-the-scenes tension, Get Your Wings turned out to be a major turning point for Aerosmith. Songs like “Same Old Song and Dance,” “Lord of the Thighs,” and “Train Kept A-Rollin’” helped define their sound. The album didn’t explode right away, but it built the foundation for the massive success that came with later records like Toys in the Attic and Rocks.
Today, the story of the session guitarists is simply a reminder that even great bands face struggles, especially early in their careers. Sometimes the path to success isn’t a straight line — and Get Your Wings is a perfect example of how a band can come out stronger on the other side.