Steven Tyler Made A Disabled Fan’s Dreams Come True

Karyn Bailey | December 3, 2019 9:49 am

It's not every day that you get to meet one of America's most renowned rock musicians. It's even more unlikely that said musician would treat you like a close friend. Yet, that's what happened when Anthony Yorfido, a young man from Niagara Falls, ran into Steven Tyler, the frontman of Aerosmith. What began as a chance encounter at a medical supplies store soon became a moment that would change Anthony's life forever. Read on to see what amazing things Tyler did for this kind fan.

Just An Ordinary Day

Anthony smiles while taking a selfie with his mother.
Anthony Yorfido/Facebook
Anthony Yorfido/Facebook

It was a Wednesday in March when Anthony and his mother, Diane, headed to a store in Niagara Falls. Diane is a waitress in the Fallsview Casino nearby and Anthony is a busy bee, working two jobs.

Despite having Down Syndrome, Anthony's infectious personality makes him a shoo-in for customer service. He works at both 7-Eleven and Walmart, but is far from burning out thanks to all of his passion. Anthony's true dream has nothing to do with retail, though.

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Anthony Has Big Dreams

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Anthony poses in front of a black background.
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anthonyyorfido/Instagram
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The 24-year-old has dreamed of being a performer. He loves singing and dancing and isn't shy about trying out some new moves. Between his extraverted personality and his passion for performing, it's no surprise that Anthony would be attracted to the world of rock and roll.

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More specifically, Anthony absolutely adores Steven Tyler, the frontman of the band Aerosmith. For decades, Tyler has wowed audiences with his incredible stage presence. Naturally, Anthony idolized the famed rockstar.

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Steve Tyler Was In Town

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Steven Tyler poses in front of an iHeart Radio advertisement.
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CHRIS DELMAS/AFP via Getty Images
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As fate would have it, Steven Tyler was touring in Anthony and Diane's area. In fact, he would be performing at the Fallsview Casino, where Diane works. However, Anthony was unable to get tickets for the shows that Tyler would be playing.

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Despite being in such close proximity to the legendary rockstar, odds were slim that either Anthony or his mom would run into Tyler, let alone get a chance to have a conversation with him.

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Then They Spotted Him

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Steven Tyler's hair blows in the wind while onstage.
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The first thing that was unusual about the day was that a limousine was parked outside of the store. When they went in, Diane thought that a man checking out looked familiar.

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Despite the odds, Diane was sure she was looking at someone famous. She told the National Post that she could recognize the face but couldn't put her finger on what this mystery man's name was. Anthony, on the other hand, knew the name right away.

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Anthony Is A HUGE Fan

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Steven Tyler poses in front of an American Idol advertisement.
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The moment Anthony saw Steven Tyler, he couldn't believe who he was looking at. However, he recognized the singer for a few reasons. For one, he listens to Aerosmith often, according to his mother, Diane.

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Anthony became further familiarized with the singer and his look nowadays due to the popular singing show American Idol. Tyler joined the show as a celebrity judge briefly, during which Anthony was an avid watcher. He departed the show in 2012 to return to the band Aerosmith.

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Half A Century Of Success

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A young Steven Tyler performs onstage.
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Despite having encountered a few ups and downs, Aerosmith is one of the most successful rock bands of all time, having sold more than 150 million records. They formed in 1970, and have been rocking for about 50 years since.

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Part of their success is due to the huge charisma and fantastic stage presence of their frontman, Steven Tyler. Today, they are known to some as "America's Greatest Rock and Roll Band." They've had dozens of Billboard top hits and awards, including four Grammys.

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Tyler's Success Transcends His Band

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Steven Tyler belts into a microphone while onstage.
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Not only has Tyler become one of the most iconic rock figures in American culture by heading Aerosmith, but he's also gained high acclaim for his work as a soloist. He released his first solo album, We're All Somebody From Somewhere, in 2016.

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He toured while backed by The Loving Mary Band. One of his solo songs, "It Feels So Good," made it to the Billboard Hot 100. He's also collaborated with artists such as Santana, Pink, and Eminem.

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Tyler Has Various Projects Under His Wing

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A closeup shows Steven Tyler in glasses with his long hair tied up.
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Tyler has also appeared on film and television. In addition to American Idol, he also played a part in Two and a Half Men, Be Cool, and was even the voice of The Mad Hatter in an episode of the children's series Wonder Pets!

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He also wrote a well-received memoir, Does the Noise in My Head Bother You? Perhaps most honorable of his endeavors, Tyler also began Janie's Fund in 2015, an organization that aims to bring safety and counseling to girls who have been abused.

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Anthony Was Not Shy

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Steven and Anthony have a hug.
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Diane Yorfido/Facebook
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Some may be timid around a celebrity, especially one who has achieved such a successful and well-rounded career. However, Anthony wasn't willing to let this rare chance slip past him.

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So he marched up and have Steven Tyler a hug. Best of all, Tyler hugged him right back. He even gave some attention to Anthony's mom, Diane, offering her a hug and a kiss on the cheek. Naturally, Tyler asked if they would be at the concert that evening.

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Tyler Pulled Some Strings

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Steven Tyler speaks at a podium.
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Diane explained to Steven Tyler that they were not able to get tickets for the now-soldout casino shows. Tyler, being the charismatic frontman that he is, was not going to just send these two home after bearing witness their obvious admiration of the star.

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Diane told the National Post that Tyler assured them both that they would be going to the show. Even better, he scored them backstage passes to the packed Aerosmith show.

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There Was Just One Problem

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Steven Tyler holds up his index finger to point to the sky while onstage.
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Francesco Castaldo/Archivio Francesco Castaldo/Mondadori via Getty Images
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Diane, being the hard worker that she is, had to work that evening. This meant that she wouldn't be able to take Anthony to the concert. However, she quickly came up with a new plan.

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She got in touch with Jordan Setacci, who was Anthony's dance instructor at the time. Jordan agreed to accompany Anthony to the rock concert, meaning that the arrangements for that evening were back on. Upon arriving, they were led to a spot right next to the stage!

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Then Something Incredible Happened

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Steven Tyler leads Anthony onstage.
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Jordan and Anthony were right by the stage, overlooking thousands of cheering fans. Steven Tyler was not afraid to break the rules, like having everyone standup when the casino usually requires audience members to remain seated.

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After warming up the audience with his rambunctious attitude and a few hits, the band played "Sweet Emotion." At this time, Steven approached Anthony and brought him onstage. Steven proudly shouted to the audience "Anthony is in the house!"

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Anthony's Dream Came True

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Anthony plays maracas while Steven Tyler holds the microphone to him.
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Equipped with maracas, Anthony shook to the beat of the song standing right next to one of his favorite musicians of all time. Steven was smiling and encouraging him on. Standing in front of thousands of screaming fans, Anthony wore a huge grin while shaking the maracas into the microphone.

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Meanwhile, Steven had the band lower their music to ensure that Anthony would be heard. He let Anthony steal the spotlight for a little while before snagging the microphone to belt out a note.

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No One Could Believe It

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Anthony Yorfido and Jordan Setacci take a selfie backstage.
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After his stage debut, everyone cheered as Anthony gradually made his way back to the spot he and Jordan were placed at the side of the stage. The thrilled men jumped for joy, giggling like excited kids.

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Jordan got the entire thing on camera. He turned his filming device on himself and Anthony once he returned from the stage. The video shows both men ecstatic and in a state of disbelief at what had just happened.

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One Person Was Not So Excited

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Anthony smiles to himself while onstage.
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The one person who was left disappointed was Diane, Anthony's mom. Waiting tables not that far from the concert, Diane could only hear about the incredible experience through text messages.

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She told the Niagara Falls Review, "I was dying! I'm like, 'Are you kidding me? I can't be there?' I was so upset." Some of her coworkers had even seen Anthony and were sharing with her the following day how incredible the experience was as an audience member.

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Anthony's Excitement Didn't End There

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Anthony poses in the audience next to a woman.
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Anthony Yorfido/Facebook
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Even into the next day, Diane recalls that Anthony woke up overjoyed. He was crying with excitement as he told his mother that the special night was the best thing he'd ever experienced in his life.

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Anthony also told CBC News that he was completely caught by surprise when Steven asked him to come onstage. He had no idea that would happen, but took the challenge, saying, "It was my dream come true."

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The Experience Changed Diane's Mind

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Steven Tyler hands Anthony maracas while the two are onstage.
Anthony Yorfido/Facebook
Anthony Yorfido/Facebook
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While before Diane hadn't been the world's biggest Steven Tyler fan, she was moved by how wonderfully he treated her son. She wasn't the only one who was deeply touched by the story.

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Of course, Anthony's friends and family were in awe of the epic moment. However, even strangers began reaching out to the Niagara Falls Review to say how much the story made their day. One reader wrote that they had tear-filled eyes and said that it was "Truly beautiful."

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But Now What?

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Steven Tyler grabs the microphone and starts to sing while Anthony smiles and continues to shake his maracas.
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After loads of hype and various interviews, the question finally was put out there by CBC News: would the Yorfidos remain in touch with Steven Tyler? Diane unabashedly expressed her hope that they would still be in contact.

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An experience like that rarely comes around once in a lifetime, let alone again and again. Still, Diane admitted she was hopeful that they might get together again one day. Miraculously, her idea made its way back to Steven Tyler.

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The Party Was Far From Over

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Anthony dances onstage.
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Diane Yorfido/Youtube
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Steven Tyler wrapped up his "Out on the Limb" tour with one final show in September. When one of Aerosmith's most famous smash hits, "Walk This Way," came on, none other than Anthony Yorfido appeared onstage.

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This time, prepared and extraverted as ever, Anthony busted a few dance moves in front of the enthusiastic crowd. He showed off the dancing he had worked on with Jordan Setacci, the teacher who had accompanied him to the last show, in front of thousands of people.

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This Time Diane Got To See It

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Anthony and his mom pose next to Steven Tyler.
Anthony Yorfido/Facebook
Anthony Yorfido/Facebook
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One of the best parts of bringing back Anthony Yorfido for another performance was that his mother, Diane, finally got to be there. Now that she and Anthony knew what was going to happen and could plan, the proud mama got to experience it for herself.

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While she had seen the photos and the videos, nothing could compare to being there to watch her son onstage and to feel the joy radiating from him. In a conversation with CBC News, she referred to Steven Tyler as a "wonderful, wonderful man."

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Then Anthony Took To A Different Stage

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Anthony dances on the steps of the Ellen DeGeneres Show.
Anthony Yorfido/Instagram
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All of the recognition and validation Anthony received from the huge rockstar Steven Tyler definitely left a lasting impression. Just two months after being brought back on the stage by Steven, Anthony set his sights on a different stage.

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This time, Anthony took to television, breaking into dance while in the audience of The Ellen DeGeneres Show. While most audience members dance in the tiny space in front of their seat, Anthony leaped out and onto the stairwell, dancing like no one was there.

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It Was Meant To Be

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Steven Tyler poses for a photo next to Anthony.
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While celebrities encounter fans all the time, something about meeting Anthony tugged on Steven Tyler's heartstrings. While the chances of running into one of the biggest musicians in the country at a local store are slim, it seems like it was destined in this case.

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Diane told CBC News that Tyler told her he wasn't really in the medical supplies store, where they met, for a back brace like he originally intended. Rather, Tyler assured Diane that the true reason he had to stop in was so he would run into his friend, Anthony.

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Steven Tyler And The Early Days Of Aerosmith

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Steven Tyler arrives at the 2019 iHeartRadio Music Awards
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It's no wonder why Steven Tyler is considered "one of the greatest singers of all time" and has even been named in Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Singers. After all, Tyler has sold more than 150 million records over the course of his career, primarily as the frontman of legendary rock band Aerosmith.

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Keep reading to learn more about Tyler's life and his early days with Aerosmith. We bet you didn't know some of these facts about the iconic rocker!

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Steven Tyler Was Born With Music In His Bones

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Born Steven Tallarico on March 26, 1948, Steven Tyler always had music in his bones. Tyler grew up in Yonkers, New York with his mother Susan and father Victor, who was an accomplished classical pianist. One of Tyler's first professional gigs was playing drums in his father's band and he continued to play throughout his time in school.

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Tyler grew up with British Invasion music and was particularly fond of The Rolling Stones, whose shows he'd keep close track of so he could watch them in action.

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The Band That Changed Everything

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In 1969, Steven Tyler attended a local rock show in New Hampshire where he saw a band called Jam Band, which included bassist Tom Hamilton and guitarist Joe Perry. Struck by their raw talent and Perry's ability to let his hair down and let the music speak for itself, Tyler approached them about playing together.

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Tyler and Perry had instant chemistry and by 1970, Perry and Hamilton decided to leave their band to form one with Tyler. So the three pals relocated to Boston and Tyler recruited childhood acquaintance Joey Kramer to take on the drums since he insisted on being the lead singer.

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They Almost Weren't Called Aerosmith...

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Would you imagine that Aerosmith had the same success that they did if they were called "The Hookers" or "Spike Jones"? It's impossible to know, but luckily the band didn't take those names too seriously. The name "Aerosmith" came from the mind of Joey Kramer. He got the idea from listening to Aerial Ballet by Harry Nilsson, the cover art of which showed a circus performer jumping out of a biplane.

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Kramer's bandmates were turned off by the name at first, thinking he was referring to the Sinclair Lewis novel they read in school. "No, not Arrowsmith," Kramer explained according to sources, "A-E-R-O...Aerosmith."

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Aerosmith's Big Break At Max's Kansas City

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Aerosmith began performing live shows around the Boston area. They generated a local fanbase and secured a management deal with David Krebs and Steve Leber, who were known for handling the New York Dolls. Krebs and Leber knew that the only way to get Aerosmith a major label deal was to showcase the band in a live show so they had them perform at Max's Kansas City, the epicenter of rock and roll in New York City.

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It was a pivotal moment for the band since they were noticed by Clive Davis, the head of Columbia Records. At the end of the show, Davis took the band aside and personally told Steven Tyler, "You're gonna be a big star."

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Proving They Were Not Like The Rolling Stones

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Aerosmith signed a record deal with Columbia Records in 1972, releasing their first two albums in subsequent years. In 1973, "Dream On" only peaked at number 59. The band's popularity didn't really take off until 1975 when they released their third album Toys in the Attic and their fourth, Rocks, right after.

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In the beginning, Aerosmith was noted for their energetic shows and was often compared to the Rolling Stones — thanks to their bluesy sound and especially for Tyler's resemblance to Mick Jagger. But by the mid-'70s, the band had become popular in their own right and began headlining shows in stadiums and at rock festivals.

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Tyler's First-Born Became A Famous Actress

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Liv Tyler
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1977 was when Tyler's first child Liv Tyler was born, except the two wouldn't know of their relationship for another eight years. Actress Liv Tyler was born to model Bebe Buell, who had a brief relationship with Steven Tyler. At the time of Liv's birth, Buell was living with musician Todd Rundgren, who took on the responsibility of being Liv's father despite the strong possibility that she wasn't his.

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It wasn't until around eight years old that Liv met Steven Tyler and his daughter Mia (who was just eight months younger than Liv) at one of Rundgren's shows.

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How Liv Found Out Her Dad Was Steven Tyler

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Liv couldn't ignore the strong resemblance between her, Mia, and Steven, so she finally confronted her mother about it and was told the truth: Steven Tyler was her real father. While Liv has always maintained that the revelation was a happy one.

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Despite this, she did tell Telegraph, "I have more empathy for my parents now... As a child I didn't understand why that would happen – how that could happen. Everybody had a different interpretation [of the situation] and how they participated... All that matters is whatever kind of relationship I can have with them now." Over the years, Liv has cultivated a close relationship with Steven Tyler and her younger half-siblings.

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Steven Tyler Has Always Been Real About His Personal Problems

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Joe Perry & Steven Tyler performing live onstage
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Buell apparently kept Liv's biological father a secret to shield her daughter from Steven Tyler's substance problem at the time. In his memoir, Does the Noise in My Head Bother You?, Tyler writes, "Fame derails people — not to mention the [substance use]."

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He admitted that he'd been using various substances since he was just sixteen years old. Aerosmith's early fame and Tyler's rising status as a rock god were short-lived. Together, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry were known as the "Toxic Twins" for their extracurricular activities.

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Necessary Steps To Healthiness

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As the years wore on through the late '70s and early '80s, Aerosmith continued to perform, making necessary replacements as Perry and other members left the band. Tyler's behavior was at its worst during this time, according to reports. In 1984, the original members of Aerosmith were finally back together to embark on the Back in the Saddle Tour when Tyler collapsed on stage.

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In 1986, the band staged an intervention for Steven Tyler and urged him to get help, as well as doing the same for themselves and all completed treatment by the mid-'80s.

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The Unlikely Collaboration That Actually Worked Out

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After everyone was done with treatment, Aerosmith found revitalization in an unexpected collaboration with hip-hop group Run-DMC. Both parties came from opposite ends of the musical spectrum and were understandably reluctant to work together on a cover of Aerosmith's "Walk this Way," which originally came out in 1975.

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"The groove kind of lent itself to rap. It kind of [irritated me] at first that [Run-DMC] weren't following the lyrics... none of those guys wanted to do this song at first." Eventually, the song was released and became an instant mainstream hit, reaching the top 10 on pop charts and in turn, boosting Aerosmith's comeback.

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Smooth Sailing Through The '90s For Aerosmith

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Throughout the '90s, Steven Tyler had become a household name. Permanent Vacation and Pump were released in the late '80s, which included some of the band's biggest hits. Aerosmith hit their peak with their 11th album, 1993's Get a Grip, which sold over 15 million copies and won numerous accolades — including two Grammy's.

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Their steady success led them to perform at the 2001 Super Bowl XXXV halftime show and to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame that same year. Also that year, Tyler caused controversy when he changed the words in the National Anthem at the Indianapolis 500, for which he had to apologize.

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Recovery From Surgery Leads To Problems

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Despite Tyler's successful recovery in the '80s and the resurgence of his career, 12 years of clean living would come to a halt after he relapsed in 2000. The demanding nature of being a performer caused Tyler to undergo surgeries in his legs and feet, which only introduced him to a new danger: prescription painkillers.

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Tyler told Dr. Oz about his struggles after surgeries: "It's serious when you lose your kids, your wife, your band, your job... and you'll never understand why...." Tyler's personal problems led to strained relationships, which forced him to reevaluate his career.

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Steven Tyler And His Children Are Tighter Than Ever

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You've already learned about Steven Tyler's first-born, Liv, but what about his other children? Born just eight months after Liv, Tyler's second daughter Mia was born to model Cyrinda Foxe, who Tyler married in 1978, only to divorce nine years later. In 1988, Tyler embarked on his longest marriage to designer Teresa Barrick, with whom he shares daughter Chelsea and son Taj, born in 1989 and 1991 respectively.

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Tyler and Barrick divorced in 2005. Since then, Tyler has dated Ellen Brady, who was his fiancée for a year before calling it off. For sure, the family members Tyler is closest to are his four children and four grandchildren.

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Did Aerosmith Really Want To Dump Steven Tyler?

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Tyler continued to tour with Aerosmith through the 2000s. But by 2009, rumors started swirling that Aerosmith was looking to fire and replace Tyler from his frontman position. These rumors came about after news reports said that Tyler fell off the stage during one of their shows, leading many to believe he was still under the influence of painkillers.

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This was the same year Tyler returned to therapy. While the rumors have been denied or unconfirmed, and Tyler was eventually able to meet with the band to make up missed tour dates, it couldn't be denied that the relationships within Aerosmith were strained.

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Steven Tyler Surprisingly Joins American Idol

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The rest of Aerosmith's impatience with Steven Tyler led him to pursue other career prospects on his own, which is why in 2011 Tyler made his debut as a judge on American Idol. Tyler told Rolling Stone, "Did I take this job to show the band? ...yeah. Not to show them, but that I can't be held hostage anymore. I will be my own hostage. The band can't throw me out."

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There to replace notoriously heartless Simon Cowell, Tyler proved himself to be the complete opposite. Tyler's flamboyance and acceptance made him quite a character on the show, but he only remained there for one season.

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Steven Tyler Is Also A Motorcycle Designer

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Read any Steven Tyler interview and you'll immediately learn that he's all about the music. But he does have other interests too. In 2007, he launched Dirico Motorcycles with motorcycle designer Mark Dirico. "I don't get much of a chance to get off and be by myself, and the best way to spell freedom is 'motorcycle.' You get on a bike and just take off and you don't have to sign autographs and you can just be with your bad-ass self and God above and the great outdoors," Tyler told Motorcycle USA.

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Tyler even owns a motorcycle that he designed himself and true to his eclectic taste, the motorcycle even has a license plate that says "BOO-YAH."

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He Dedicates His Time To Charity

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As of March 2019, Tyler will be 72 years old and as we already saw, he is focusing his energy on giving back. In late January, Tyler raised $2.4 million for his organization Janie's Fund (which was partly inspired by one of Aerosmith's top songs), which helps underage female victims of abuse.

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Having been through all the tribulations of his life, Tyler told Variety, "It's very humbling. I'm in a 12-step program, I got eight years sober again. I was sober in '88, I fell off the wagon in 2004, but I'm sober again. I get a chance to speak with [the girls]."