Livin’ on the Edge: The Life and Times of Aerosmith’s Joe Perry

Joe Perry’s story runs from the streets of Boston to six decades at the heart of rock. In Livin’ on the Edge, Joe Milliken traces the guitarist’s early life, Aerosmith’s rise, collapse, and comeback, plus his solo work, the Joe Perry Project, and Hollywood Vampires.

Built from interviews with childhood friends, musicians, and industry figures, the book follows Perry’s early obsession with guitar and his 1969 meeting with Steven Tyler and Tom Hamilton in Sunapee. Brad Whitford and Joey Kramer soon completed the classic lineup.

After hard years in Boston, Aerosmith went from near-poverty to huge success, then through addiction, conflict, breakup, and a major return. The band went on to earn 12 multi-platinum, 18 platinum, and 25 gold records, sell over 150 million units worldwide, win 4 Grammys, and enter the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.