Tyler's awkward Led Zep audition

Tyler: Tried out

The long-standing rumours about Steven Tyler having tried out for Led Zeppelin are true, Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry has told Classic Rock Magazine.

And the singer even tried to keep the news from his bandmates, which, says Perry, demonstrates how difficult it's been to work with him in recent times.

Tyler was one of those shortlisted to replace Robert Plant when he decided not to pursue a Led Zep reunion after their one-off London show in 2007.

But Perry later spoke to Zep's Jimmy Page about it, and discovered the audition had been "awkward".

In the latest edition of Classic Rock, out tomorrow, Perry says: "Steven disappeared and I called around. Somebody said he was in London trying out for Led Zeppelin.

"It's something I've never talked about before. It's a kind of window into how hard it's been to keep the partnership together.

"It's not the first time things like this have happened - that's the downside of our relationship."

When Perry and Page attended last year's Classic Rock Roll of Honour Awards, the guitarists discussed the sessions, and Page revealed how uncomfortable they'd been.

Tyler turned up without knowing enough about Led Zep's set or gameplan, and was under the impression he'd be joining the band to write new material - which wasn't currently under discussion. Classic Rock describes the sessions as "shambolic".

Perry says: "Page felt really awkward about the audition, but ultimately it was a group decision."

He also reveals that Tyler hasn't spoken to Aerosmith about the episode to this day, lending credence to the suggestion that even though he's decided he wants to remain in the band, his colleagues have run out of patience with him.

Rock Radio understands the most successful candidate for Plant's job was Myles Kennedy of Alter Bridge. Things went so well that he, Page, John Paul Jones and Jason Bonham began rehearsals and tour negotiations, before the plans fell through.

Those events may have led directly to the reunion of Creed (Scott Stapp plus the rest of Alter Bridge) and the formation of Them Crooked Vultures (Jones, Dave Grohl and Josh Homme) plus Jimmy Page's recently-announce solo band.

Tyler's legal representatives last week said they were prepared to take legal action to prevent his replacement in Aerosmith.

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