AEROSMITH Drummer: 'We Can't Play As Many Shows As We Used To; It's Physically Impossible'

AEROSMITH drummer Joey Kramer has told Rolling Stone magazine that the band's immediate future is uncertain, despite singer Steven Tyler's previous claim that the group would embark on a "farewell" tour in 2017.

Kramer in 2014 underwent a "minor medical procedure" to remove blockage from inside a coronary artery, forcing him to sit out two of the band's concerts and be temporarily replaced by his son Jesse.

The musician, who had no history of a heart condition prior to the August 2014 medical scare, now says: "It surprised the shit out of me when it happened. I exercise every day, I'm conscientious about my health. I thought it was heartburn or indigestion.

"We're not 25-year-olds anymore — we can't play as many shows as we used to. Steven can't sing two nights in a row or three to four nights a week — it's physically impossible. So it becomes a question of going out [on tour] less than we used to, or not doing it at all.

"AEROSMITH is all of our first loves, but I also don't know many other people who have consistently done the same job for 45 years. As we're getting older, we've been kicking the idea [to end the band], but a final decision hasn't been made."

Kramer's comments echo those made by AEROSMITH guitarist Joe Perry, who told Rolling Stone earlier in the year: "A farewell tour is something we've talked about doing for years, let's say roughly in the last five years. It's just something the band's talked about at various times. At this point, the five of us have never sat down and said, 'It's time to do it.' So 'considering' is an appropriate word for that statement. A farewell tour is definitely not confirmed."

Perry added that although AEROSMITH splitting isn't something he's looking forward to, he feels that the band is nearing the end. "It's getting to be about that time," he said.