Boston’s blues-rock kings came together in 1970, when guitarist Joe Perry and bassist Brad Hamilton played a gig with and found kindred spirits in hard-hitting drummer Joey Kramer and lead yowler Steven Tyler. After bringing on rhythm guitarist Brad Whitford in 1971, Aerosmith lit up their home city with high-octane gigs. Their 1973 self-titled debut began a five-album run that cemented Aerosmith as one of American rock’s most potent forces of the decade; the power-ballad prototype “Dream On,” the groove-heavy “Sweet Emotion,” and the grimy, apocalyptic sludge-dub of Rocks were proof of how Perry’s searing licks, Tyler’s strutting antics and piercing yelp, and the collective chemistry could result in rock ’n’ roll dynamite. Intra-band tensions led to lineup disruptions in the late ’70s and early ’80s, but a triumphant comeback ensued when “Toxic Twins” Perry and Tyler teamed up with hip-hop standard-bearers Run-DMC for a cover of their Toys in the Attic boogie “Walk This Way” in 1986; it continued with 1987’s Permanent Vacation and 1989’s Pump. Those albums, with hits like the chugging “Love in an Elevator” and the grandiose “Angel,” established them as power-ballad masters who could still get down with swamp-covered riffs and innuendo-laden lyrics. In the ’90s, they remained at rock’s forefront, with big ballads like the country-fried “Crazy” and the over-the-top “Cryin’” ruling MTV thanks to their eye-catching videos. In the 21st century, Aerosmith’s appeal has grown; in addition to new generations discovering the gems that stud their catalog, the band have released songs like the crunchy “Jaded” and the nostalgia-tinged “Legendary Child,” and they've continued to tour the world, showing off their massive discography and lifelong artistic bonds.