Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

It is the end of an era for one of classic rock’s biggest bands. Aerosmith announced their official retirement on August 2 via social media, bringing their “Peace Out: The Farewell Tour” to an abrupt end. The decision was based on the sad discovery that lead singer Steven Tyler’s voice injury is now confirmed to be permanent.

The band, founded in Boston in 1970, still boasts all five original members: Joe Perry and Brad Whitford on lead and rhythm guitars, respectively, Tom Hamilton on bass, Joey Kramer on drums and Tyler on vocals and piano. They have enjoyed a 54 year career through a series of ups (their 1975 break through album, Toys In The Attic, an impressive cover of The Beatles’ song, “Come Together” and a career resurgence in the 1990’s thanks to their provocative videos playing in heavy rotation on MTV) and downs (addiction issues, personnel feuds, teaming up with a boy band as co-headliners for Superbowl XXXV).

Aerosmith may have also helped usher in rap to the mainstream with their 1986 duet of “Walk This Way” with hip hop group Run-DMC. That aside, the rockers also gave us what is probably the best installment of “Wayne’s World” in a 1990 episode of “Saturday Night Live” (with Tom Hanks as Barry, the band’s roadie, no less). None of us were worthy for that moment but the band made us feel like we were.

Thank you for over five decades of music and surprises, Aerosmith. You will be missed but you have earned your rest.

Top: Aerosmith circa 1975. Bottom: The band circa 2023 (L-R): Brad Whitford, Joe Perry, Joey Kramer, Tom Hamilton (back) and Steven Tyler. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Porter Wagoner was born August 12, 1927 in West Plains, Missouri. In addition to his long career as a singer and songwriter in country & gospel music, he hosted a TV show where he introduced the now living legend Dolly Parton as a regular in 1967. Together they released several duets and 13 albums between 1967 and 1980.

In 1972, she released a tribute album, My Favorite Songwriter, Porter Wagoner, which features 10 covers of his songs. They had one #1 hit together in 1974, which was a pivotal year for Parton: She topped the country charts with “Jolene”, leading to her departure from Wagoner’s show which caused the two of them to become estranged until 1988. Her 1974 song, “I Will Always Love You”, was written as a tribute to him.

Top: Porter Wagoner (L) and Dolly Parton (R) circa 1967. Bottom: Parton’s 1972 tribute album to Wagoner. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Aerosmith: “Dream On” (1973, written by Steven Tyler).

Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton: “Please Don’t Stop Loving Me” (1974, written by Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton).

Dolly Parton: “Lonely Comin’ Down” (1972, written by Porter Wagoner).

Stay safe & well.