Posted 4/24/2008 @ 3:16:00 AM by aerosmithrock.com

The Joe Perry Project was started by Aerosmith's guitarist of the same name as a way to give the music business a go on his own terms. By the mega-standards of Aerosmith, the group - fronted by Ralph Morman, bassist David Hull and drummer Ronnie Stewart - still became popular enough to qualify it for a Best Of record later in 1999. It was a highly productive effort, as the band put out a new album every year after they grouped up in 1980 up until Perry rejoined his old band in 1983.

Let the Music Do the Talking, their debut album, was also the most successful. The title song also managed to gather up significant radio play as many fans of his work on Aerosmith snapped up 250,000 records in a burst of interest. Perry had played with thoughts of putting together a solo record for some time before leaving Aerosmith, but the motives were more financial than emotional. His personal debts were beginning to become quite onerous. When a fight erupted among Aerosmith members, Perry took it as an opportunity to put together his solo band.

Perry, the consummate performer, sold out concerts wherever he took his band. However, their follow up album, I've Got the Rock'n'Rolls Again, didn't manage to put together quite as much buzz as their debut effort. He felt that Columbia Records wasn't doing enough to promote his effort, which would eventually lead to his decreasing motivation and his eventual reunion with Aerosmith. The Project's final album, Once a Rocker, Always a Rocker, was released to dismal reviews and sales, and the attention-hungry Perry started jonesing for the success of the old days.

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