The All-Time Rock Classic That Single-Handedly Revitalized Aerosmith’s Career

Originally released in 1975 by Aerosmith, their hit “Walk This Way” had become a quintessential ’70s rock classic. However, as time went by both the song and the band started to fall in the charts due to the rise of ’80s music. The band had to find a way to stay relevant.

That being so, it seems divine intervention struck Steven Tyler and Aerosmith, as Run-D.M.C. covered the song in the mid-’80s alongside the band. Both with their own motivations, the collaboration acquired loads of success for both bands. Particularly Aerosmith, as the transition from the ’70s to the ’80s was a tempestuous time threatening the band’s demise.

The Aerosmith of The ’80s

Tyler had a deep addiction problem, Joe Perry had just been fired, and as the new generation came along, Aerosmith’s music was becoming more obsolete. Furthermore, despite re-hiring Perry and releasing Done With Mirrors in 1985. Aerosmith still hadn’t achieved the comeback they sought out for.

The band faced extinction and needed to do something fast. Thus, Run-D.M.C.’s producer, Rick Rubin, suggested the idea to both parties. Rubin’s motivation was that he wanted, “a white rock song that can be turned into a rap song,” in order to reach both demographics of fans he told The Washington Post. Both bands were reluctant to participate at first. However, Rubin was able to close the deal and as a result, each band gained an enormous amount of success.

The Success of the 1986—”Walk This Way”

The song benefited Aerosmith and Run-D.M.C. in multiple ways. Although, mainly because it revitalized Aerosmith’s career, and launched Run-D.M.C. into the mainstream hip-hop scene. Upon its release in 1986, the song reached No. 4 on The Billboard Hot 100 and became a hit on MTV. Regarding the recordable accolades, the single also won the 1987 Soul Train Music Award for Best Rap Single.

In addition to these accomplishments, the song marked an enormous merger between rock ‘n’ roll and rap fans. Besides creating a sub-genre, the song helped introduce rap to mainstream culture. The song played a big part in helping rap music propel itself into the uber-successful genre it is today.

Thanks to Rubin’s superb opportunism, Aerosmith, Run-D.M.C., and rap all benefited from the cross-collaboration. Subsequently, Aerosmith would go on to release “Dude Looks Like a Lady” and “Love in an Elevator,” resulting in an impressive ’80s career.

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