Aerosmith drummer Joey Kramer has been out of the spotlight since 2020, when he stopped touring with the band. Sporting a new look with his head shaved, the musician gave a new interview to Live From My Drum Room and shared a health update, saying the last four years have been challenging for him, especially after the death of his wife.
Aerosmith’s Joey Kramer gives health update after years out of the spotlight
“I’m feeling really good. I’m feeling better now than I’ve felt in, like, five or eight or 10 years. The last four years for me were a challenge, to say the least. But I’m happy to say I’ve come through ’em with flying colors. I discovered the bull that really lives inside. That’s what powered me through. And I’m good, man. This is probably the best Joey of my life. I appreciate people asking and being concerned. That means a lot to me, because — well, our fans mean a lot to me, because without them, we would not be.”
He then continued talking about the loss of his wife Linda in 2022 at the age of 55. “I’ve done pretty much a major change on how I lived, what kind of person I was, ’cause I went through some dark times, like we all do. And I got through them. I got through them because I had people around me that I came to realize really loved me and looked after me. My mentor and really, really close friend is Keith Garde and Frank Cimler. And my son Jesse. Those three guys really were a large help in pulling me through. And I even have a new lady in my life, and I’m as happy as can be. And thanks for asking. I appreciate it… I’m just kind of moving along, moving forward. Gotta keep moving.”
He continued:
About playing the drums, Joey said: “Well, playing the drums for 50-some years, man, and being on the road kind of really trashed my upper body, playing with that kind of intensity. And, yeah, I’ve had some pretty consistent back problems for the last three or four years. I had some surgery done about four months ago. It’s just starting to really begin to heal up now, ’cause it takes that long. And, of course, I lost my wife and I had my heart surgery and a bunch of other stuff, too. I don’t wanna get into it. But I’ve taken it out the other side, and it’s all made me stronger, along with the fans, because I feel the support and I feel how they are when they listen to something like this. And it means the world to me. I’m proud of what we’ve done, and I wouldn’t trade it or regret it for a minute. And we just go on from here,” Joey Kramer said (Transcribed by Blabbermouth).
Aerosmith had to retire from touring in 2024 after Steven Tyler suffered a vocal injury that prevented him from performing the remaining shows of their farewell tour. Since Kramer took his time off the band, he was being replaced by John Douglas. Steven Tyler still appears occasionally as a singer at special events, while Brad Whitford has been playing with Joe Perry in his solo band. Bassist Tom Hamilton, meanwhile, is focused on his new band Close Enemies.