“American Idol” Sends Aerosmith Album Sales Through Roof

Steven Tyler’s decision to join the American Idol judging panel is the best thing to happen to Aerosmith’s album sales since the band performed the theme to the 1998 drama Armageddon.

The animated rocker has become a sensation of the TV talent show, sending sales of the band’s albums through the roof, The Hollywood Reporter said Wednesday. For example, sales of Aerosmith’s 1994 Greatest Hits compilation, Big Ones, have gone up 260 percent since Tyler made his Idol debut last month. Additionally, sales for the band’s other hits collections are also on the rise, while digital downloads of singles like “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” and “Dream On” are in high demand on iTunes.

Aerosmith’s last album, Honkin’ on Bobo, was released in 2004.

Earlier this month, Tyler announced he would be rejoining the group in the studio to begin work on new material following a tumultuous couple of years which saw one of rock’s most decorated vocalist briefly quit the group and check into rehab to conquer a drug relapse.

“It’s been really good, great. We’ve been playing songs, putting together riffs, having fun, laughing and working from noon to 11pm. We’re just digging in, man,” says Marti Frederiksen, a longtime Aerosmith collaborator.