Dear Superstar: Steven Tyler

“Which one do you think?” asks Steven Tyler, holding up two versions of the cover art for Aerosmith’s new album of blues covers, Honkin’ on Bobo.

The first features a lipstick-stained harmonica on a tasteful red velvet background. The other has exactly the same harmonica, only this time stuffed down the front of a lithe model’s denim cutoffs.

Hmm. The second one?

“That’s what I said,” mutters the concertina-faced singer before admitting that it won’t, in fact, be the one sent to stores.

Why not?

“Because I’m in a band with four other guys,” he says. “And I ain’t sayin’ no more.”

It seems that even though Tyler’s infamous years of feuding with guitarist Joe Perry may be long behind him, things in Aerosmith haven’t changed that much. Taking a brief pause in preparations for yet another tour, Tyler settles down in a back room at the band’s Boston offices, sucking on a fat cigar and cackling over your more intrusive inquiries.

“Did drugs ever help me out?” he exclaims incredulously at one point. “Pos-i-tive-ly! There you go!”

Does taking drugs always lead to making bad records?
LAURARV, DENNISPORT, MASSACHUSETTS
It depends on how much emphasis you put on the drug. Drugs can make you more creative or give you a bad album. I mean, there’s nothing like a good stiff wind to take your mind off things, or to get you into the mood, but when you rely on them and you take them daily, it steals from your creativity. I think sobriety made Aerosmith make bad records: We had just gotten sober for [1985’s] Done With Mirrors, and nobody had the balls to say, “Dude, that song ain’t finished!” [Laughs]

Can you really fit into your daughters’ blue jeans?
DIETCOKE00, SAN CLEMENTE, CALIFORNIA
I can’t anymore — Liv’s moved out and Mia’s married now. I’ve got a 14-year-old daughter named Chelsea. She’s so skinny, really skinny — even I can’t get into hers. Is there anything I can’t eat? Yes — I love to eat. If I ate the way I wanted to eat, you know, I’d be eating constantly, 24/7. I’d get so huge I’d be playing the fiddle onstage. But we stay on the road so much, that keeps me fit.

Did you hit on Britney Spears at the 2001 Super Bowl?
DAVEDANIELS, ROANOKE, VIRGINIA
Everybody hits on her when they see her — she’s such a cutie-pie. No, I didn’t hit on her. But I did tell her that I wanted to trade shirts with her, and she did. Remember the shirt that she wore? We traded. She sent it to me. I wish I could just tell you that she gave me the shirt off her back, but she was a little bit younger than she is today. Everyone loves to take the piss out of her, but she brings joy to a lot of people. And she’s got a nice ass.

What’s the worst thing an ex-girlfriend has ever said about you?
POLLYONCRACK, HOUSTON
“I’m leaving you for another man.” [Laughs] I’m trying to think of what the last thing [ex-wife] Cyrinda [Foxe] said to me. She said I was a gigolo.

Steven Tyler answers more of your questions—the secret of marriage, selling out, scoring dope and more—in the May 2004 issue, on newsstands now!