Tyler is a constant in Aerosmith's 30-year career

Rumors about lead singer Steven Tyler putting Aerosmith aside for a solo album were the talk of the music biz earlier this week.

Some sources said lead guitarist Joe Perry threw a hissy fit, but Perry denies this, although he acknowledges that Tyler does want to do a solo album: "It's ridiculous that someone would say that I'm upset about Steven wanting to do a solo album," Perry said in a written statement. "Aerosmith is purposely taking the rest of the year off so the members of the band can do exactly these kinds of projects that we ordinarily can't when we're touring."

I got to thinking about Aerosmith and what would happen if Tyler (who is also Liv's dad) actually left.

Throughout its 30-year career, the band has seen members depart and return. Intraband struggles and drugs had a lot to do with Aerosmith's problems. Around 1979, Perry left, as did guitarist Brad Whitford. They were replaced by Jimmy Crespo and Rick Dufay on the dismal 1982 album "Rock in a Hard Place." Then in 1985, Perry and Whitford rejoined, and the band embarked on a comeback that has lasted nearly 20 years.

But, really, what would the band do without its flamboyant lead singer? Would they try to replace him?

My gut reaction says no. But what if the others wanted to continue as a band? Who could they get?

The Darkness' Justin Hawkins comes to mind.

How about "Diamond Dave" Lee Roth, the former blabbermouth for Van Halen?

Deseret Morning News movie critic Jeff Vice says it doesn't matter to him, as long as it's not Gary Cherone, the former Extreme front man who tried to kill Van Halen's career in 1998.

Sebastian Bach, when he's not doing stints on Broadway, could be another candidate.

But if he's in consideration, why not hire ex-Motley Crue dude Vince Neil?

Then again, Aerosmith could do something really strange by asking "Mr. White Bucks" Pat Boone to sing for them. After all, he did do a metal cover album, "No More Mr. Nice Guy," back in the mid-1990s.

OK, I'm getting silly.

The fact of the matter is, no one can replace Steven Tyler as the front man for Aerosmith. The egos alone would prevent any of these singers from becoming one with that band.

Hmmmm. I wonder who could replace guitarist Tony Iommi in Black Sabbath?

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E-mail: scott@desnews.com