Perry: 'I learned Tyler had quit online'

Joe Perry discovered that his Aerosmith bandmate Steven Tyler was quitting the group while browsing the internet, it has emerged.

The guitarist told The Las Vegas Sun that he landed back in the US following the group's performance in Abu Dhabi last weekend to learn the news.

Perry said: "Steven quit as far as I can tell. I don't know any more than you do about it. I got off the plane two nights ago. I saw online that Steven said that he was going to leave the band. I don't know for how long, indefinitely or whatever. Other than that, I don't know."

Tyler, 61, said that he was going to move ahead with a solo career, concentrating on 'Brand Tyler'.

Perry said that the frontman's lack of communication had been the source of disunity in the band, adding: "Frankly, the last few months I've been wanting not to rock the boat. I don't want him cancelling any more gigs. We really wanted to do these last four.

"We just kind of didn't want to call him out or anything and get him anymore p*ssed off, for whatever reason. So we just let things lie. So we did the gigs and, like I said, I got off the plane and saw this online. That's how I know about it... He has had no contact with me or the other band members."

Perry said he is determined to continue with Aerosmith and is now focusing on the group's future. "We're just trying to - at least I am - trying to figure out what direction the band should take," he said.