Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler downplays his medical condition

Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler has reassured fans that the medical condition which cut short his band’s recent tour is not as serious as rumored.

“I give you all an A+ for creative speculations but I certainly did not have a heart attack or a seizure (unless [Aerosmith guitarist] Joe Perry is takin’ a rippin’ lead),” the 69-year-old Rock & Roll Hall of Famer posted on Aerosmith’s official website Tuesday repeating what he had posted to less notice on social media Saturday. He noted, “It breaks my heart to have left this tour early…the band has never played better.” Apologizing, Tyler went on to explain, “I had to have a procedure that only my doc in the States could perform.” He gave no further details.

Tyler posted his original message two days before fellow Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Tom Petty died at 66 after going into cardiac arrest at his Malibu, California, home.

On Sept. 26, a statement posted on Tyler’s social-media accounts said that, “Unfortunately, due to unexpected medical conditions,” Tyler was “seeking immediate care and has been advised by his doctors that he cannot travel or perform at this time. … Steven is expected to make a full recovery.” In an addendum, Tyler wrote that he had flown back to the United States for treatment after completing the band’s Sept. 24 show at Allianz Parque in São Paulo, Brazil, and assured, “I am not in a life threatening condition but I need to deal with this right away.”

The canceled shows — the final four dates of the band’s purportedly farewell tour, AeroVederci — were Sept. 27 in Curitiba, Brazil; Sept. 30 in Santiago, Chile; Oct. 3 in Rosario, Argentina; and Oct. 7 in Monterrey, Mexico. There is no word on the status of his Nov. 4 solo concert in San Antonio, with his backup musicians, The Loving Mary Band.