Aerosmith is an American hard rock band, their style, rooted in blues-based hard rock, and has come to also incorporate elements of pop, heavy metal, glam, and rhythm and blues, which has inspired many rock artists. The band was formed in 1970, in Boston, Massachusetts. Guitarist Joe Perry and bassist Tom Hamilton, originally in a band together called the Jam Band, met up with singer Steven Tyler, drummer Joey Kramer, and guitarist Ray Tabano, and formed Aerosmith. In 1971, Tabano was replaced by Brad Whitford, and the band began developing a following in Boston. In 1972, was signed to Columbia Records and released multi-platinum albums. The band broke into mainstream rock in 1975, with the release of Toys in the Attic, followed by Rocks cemented the status of being real deal rock superstars. Drug addiction and internal conflict took its toll on the band, which soon resulted in the departures of Perry and Whitford, in 1979 and 1981 respectively; they were replaced by Jimmy Crespo and Rick Dufay. They soon after released, Rock in a Hard Place, which went gold but failed to match their previous successes. Throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, the band scored several hits and won numerous awards for music from the multi-platinum albums Pump released in 1989, Get a Grip released in 1993, and Nine Lives released in 1997. Their comeback has been described as one of the most remarkable and spectacular in rock 'n' roll history. After 38 years of performing, the band continues to tour and record music.