Aerosmithdrummer Joey Kramer will not be joining the band when theyrelaunch their Las Vegas residencyin June.
The “Dream On” rockers announced Wednesday that founding member Kramer, 71, will be taking “a temporary leave of absence” ahead ofDeuces Are Wild’s 24 dates.
“[Kramer] has regrettably made the decision to sit out the band’s concerts in 2022 so he can focus his full attention on his family during these uncertain times,” the group said in a statement. “He and the band look forward to his future performances with Aerosmith.”
John Douglas will reportedly replace Kramer on the drums in the meantime.
Aerosmith and Kramer have faced a rocky road in recent years. In 2020, hefiled suit against the band, claiming they were blocking him from performing with them at the Grammys.
Aerosmith.Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
He alleged at the time that he was unfairly asked to audition for bandmatesSteven Tyler, Joe Perry, Brad Whitford, and Tom Hamilton following “minor injuries” the previous spring that rendered him “unable to perform several concerts.”
Joey Kramer.Whitney Hayward/Portland Portland Press Herald via Getty Images
A source told PEOPLE at the time that they decided to reevaluate Kramer’s position in the band after listening to a demo he sent.
“They all got on the phone with him after they heard the demo and talked it through with him. They voted as a band, which they do with every decision, and it was four to one,” the source said. “They said ‘Please come to MusiCares and Grammys. We’ll take photos and celebrate. You’re our brother.’ They just don’t want to risk a performance because he hasn’t been with them in six months,” said the source.
A Massachusetts judge eventually denied Kramer’s request to play with the band, and although he said in a statement that he found the situation “beyond devastating,” he eventually did play several shows with Aerosmith in Las Vegas after the Grammys and before COVID-19 put a halt to the residency, according toRolling Stone.
source: people.com
