Steven Tyler is a former television music competition judge for American Idol.
Steven Tyler ( born Steven Victor Tallarico ; March 26 , 1948 ) is an American singer-songwriter , multi-instrumentalist , and former television music competition judge , best known as the lead singer of the Boston-based rock band Aerosmith , in which he also plays the harmonica , and occasional piano and percussion . Since the late 1980s , he has embarked on several solo endeavors including guest appearances on other artists ' music ( working with artists as diverse as Alice Cooper , Mötley Crüe , Santana , Pink and Keith Anderson ) , film and TV roles ( including as a judge on American Idol and several cameo and guest appearances in other programs and films ) , authoring a bestselling book and solo work ( including the Top 40 hit single '' ( It ) Feels So Good '' in 2011 ) . While tension with his Aerosmith bandmates boiled in 2009 and 2010 after he fell off the stage at a concert , had a relapse with prescription drugs ( which he successfully received treatment for in 2009 ) , and signed on to American Idol without telling his bandmates , Tyler has continued to record music and perform with Aerosmith , after more than 46 years in the band .