Aerosmith & The 2000s

The band entered its next decade by performing at the halftime show for Super Bowl XXXV, in January 2001, along with pop stars 'N Sync, Britney Spears, Mary J. Blige, and Nelly. All of the stars collaborated with Aerosmith at the end for a much-celebrated performance of the group's legendary song "Walk This Way".

In March of 2001, the band released their 13th studio album Just Push Play. The album was a large success and quickly went platinum, fueled by the #7 single "Jaded" and the appearance of the title track in Dodge commercials. They were inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame soon after their album was released, in late March of 2001, after having been nominated in 2000 without getting in. Later that year, the band performed as part of the United We Stand: What More Can I Give benefit concert in Washington D.C. for 9/11 victims and their families. The band flew back to Indianapolis for a show the same night, as part of their grueling yet highly successful Just Push Play Tour.

The band kicked off 2002 by winding up the Just Push Play tour, and simultaneously recording segments for their Behind the Music special on VH1, which not only chronicled the band's history but also the band's current activities and touring. The special was one of the only Behind the Musics to run two hours in length. In July 2002, Aerosmith released the 2-disc career-spanning compilation O, Yeah! The Ultimate Aerosmith Hits, which featured the new single "Girls of Summer", and embarked on the Girls of Summer Tour with Kid Rock and Run-D.M.C. opening. That same year, the band were inducted as MTV Icons, the 2nd act overall to receive the honor.

In 2003, Aerosmith co-headlined with Kiss on the Rocksimus Maximus Tour, in preparation for release of their blues album.

Their long-promised blues album Honkin' on Bobo was released in 2004. Honkin' on Bobo continued to be a success for the resurgence of blues and roots music across the US and Europe. The album was a return to roots for the band, including recording the album in live sessions, working with former producer Jack Douglas, and laying down their blues-rock grit. It was followed by a live DVD, You Gotta Move in December 2004, culled from the first performance on the Honkin' on Bobo Tour. "Dream On" was also featured in an advertising campaign for Buick in 2004, targeting that marque's audience which is now composed largely of people who were teenagers when the song first charted. As the band no longer owned the rights to that song or much of its back catalog, it is unclear whether they authorized the use of the song.

2005 saw Steven Tyler appear in the film Be Cool. Joe Perry released his eponymous solo album that same year. At the 2006 Grammy Awards, he was nominated for "Best Rock Instrumental Performance" for the track "Mercy", but lost to Les Paul. In October 2005, Aerosmith released a CD/DVD Rockin' the Joint. The band hit the road for the Rockin' the Joint Tour on October 30 with Lenny Kravitz for a fall/winter tour hitting arenas in the largest U.S. markets. The band planned to tour with Cheap Trick in the spring, hitting secondary markets in the U.S. Rumors of a tour started when Cheap Trick frontman Robin Zander joined the band onstage for "Come Together" during a concert in Tampa, Florida a week before the announcement. Almost all of this leg of the tour was canceled, however, due to "an illness of a member of the band". On March 22, 2006, it was publicly announced that lead singer Steven Tyler needed throat surgery, and the remaining dates on the tour were subsequently canceled.

Aerosmith commenced recording of a new album on Armed Forces Day 2006.Tyler and Perry performed with the Boston Pops Orchestra for their annual July 4 concert on the Esplanade in 2006, a milestone as it was the first major event or performance since Steven Tyler's throat surgery. During this time, the band also announced that they would embark on the Route of All Evil Tour, with Mötley Crüe in fall of 2006.

On August 24, 2006 it was announced that Tom Hamilton was undergoing treatment for throat cancer. In order to make a full recovery, he sat out much of the Route of All Evil Tour until he was well again. Former Joe Perry Project bassist David Hull substituted for Hamilton until his return.

On September 5, 2006, Aerosmith kicked off the Route of All Evil Tour with Mötley Crüe in Columbus, Ohio. The co-headlining tour took both bands to amphitheaters across North America through November 24. After that, a select few arena dates were added, some of which were with Motley Crue, some without. Tom Hamilton returned to the fold officially on December 1st. The tour ended December 17th.

On October 17, 2006,the compilation album Devil's Got a New Disguise - The Very Best of Aerosmith was released. A new song, the title track, peaked at #15 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. The album was intended to fulfill Aerosmith's contract with Sony and tide fans over until the band's new studio album is finished and released in fall 2007.

The band is currently working on new material for their next album, their 15th studio album, which is most likely to be released in fall of 2007. Additionally, it was confirmed in early 2007 that the band will be touring Latin America and Europe in spring and summer of 2007, respectively. This will be the band's first touring venture outside North America and Japan in eight years. On Monday, February 19th, the band performed at London's Hard Rock Cafe to promote their upcoming European tour which includes a night in Hyde Park as part of the Hyde Park Calling festival sponsored by Hard Rock Cafe. In addition to their European and South American tours, the band plans to perform in the United Arab Emirates and India for the first time ever.