Dream On - Aerosmith (1976) 8/7/21

Stephen Tyler's dad was a Julliard-trained classical pianist, and when Stephen was 3 years old, he used to lie under the family's grand piano while his father practiced.

Over time, little Stephen memorized a certain chord progression that several years later would help him compose a "Great Song of the '70s!"

When he was 14--several years before his group, Aerorsmith, was born, Stephen composed "Dream On," at least partially, as a piano/vocal piece.

Years later, in 1973, when Aerosmith was in danger of being dropped by their record company (Columbia) for lack of a hit record, Stephen finished the song with help from the rest of the band, and Columbia decided it was good enough to give the group one last chance.

They released it as a single and it reached #59 on the Hot 100--good enough to keep them under contract.

In 1976, a reworked version of "Dream On" was released, and this time, Aerosmith hit the jackpot! Columbia sent out 2 versions, and let radio stations decide which one to play. BOTH versions ended up getting massive airplay, and combined, they reached #10 on Canada's Top 40, and #6 on the US Hot 100!

Note: Legend has it that Stephen found a suitcase full of money and used it to buy an electric keyboard, which he then used on the recording. When the mafia came looking for the money, he played dumb--and got away with it (and most likely saved his own life)!

"Dream On" by Aerosmith: Years in the making, and a "Great Song of the '70s!

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