Aerosmith Drummer Joey Kramer Sues Band Over Grammys "Freeze-Out"

Steven Tyler's 2nd Annual GRAMMY Awards Viewing Party To Benefit Janie's Fund Presented By Live Nation - Red Carpet

Aerosmith drummer Joey Kramer is suing his band of over 50 years for reportedly trying to bar him from performing at this year's Grammy Awards.

Kramer has been sidelined for much of Aerosmith's 'Deuces Are Wild' Las Vegas residency with a shoulder injury.

TMZ reports the drummer claims he was healthy enough to come back this past fall, but his band mates wanted him to audition solo, without them present, to prove he was "able to play at an appropriate level."

Aerosmith is set to be honored as this year's MusiCares Person of the Year, coming up on Friday and at the Grammy Awards on Sunday.

"Being prohibited from playing with a band that I have given 50 years of my life to supporting is beyond devastating," Kramer said. "This is not about money. I am being deprived of the opportunity to be recognized along with my peers, for our collective, lifetime contributions to the music industry. Neither the MusiCares' Person of the Year Award nor the Grammys' Lifetime Achievement honors can ever be repeated."

Kramer initially refused the audition, claiming that in five decades, no member has ever been subjected to such treatment. He went through with the audition early this month and was told the recording of his performance lacked "energy."

Sources close to Aerosmith tell TMZ that Kramer has been given multiple opportunities to return to the band, but his audition was not up to the Aerosmith's standard. That said, the door is still open for Kramer to return when he gets his chops back in shape.

Kramer wants a court to restore him to his seat at the drum kit immediately before he misses out on a historic year with Aerosmith.

He is reportedly pushing for an opportunity to rehearse with the band this week. It's unclear whether a decision has been made.

Tyler, a former drummer, has been famously critical of Kramer's drumming at points through their career together. The pair has a long-running argument over who came up with the beat for "Walk This Way."

Photo: Getty Images


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