STEVEN TYLER's 'American Idol' Gig Boosting AEROSMITH Sales

According to Fox 411, Steven Tyler's appearance on "American Idol" as a judge for the show's tenth season has boosted sales of old AEROSMITH songs. The band's 1998 power ballad "I Don't Want to Miss A Thing" is currently No. 19 on Apple's iTunes Songs chart, and AEROSMITH's 1973 hit "Dream On" is No. 61. The Boston hard rockers' "Big Ones" collection" from 1994 is No. 25 on iTunes' Albums chart.

"So far, Steven Tyler has been a pretty striking presence on 'Idol'," says Richard Rushfield, author of "American Idol: The Untold Story". "He's a wild character, and he's pretty much pushed Simon Cowell out of people's minds in just two weeks."

Backing up comments made by Tyler, Billboard.com reported on Thursday (January 27) that most of the members of AEROSMITH are working on songs for a new album with co-writer Marti Frederiksen at a studio in Los Angeles. The only man missing is guitarist Joe Perry, who was unable to join his bandmates for the sessions due to what Billboard.com described as an "unspecified commitment."

The irony of the situation is rich since it was Perry who has expressed the most concern that work on a new AEROSMITH album would be delayed by Tyler's duties as a judge on "American Idol". But Tyler himself said on a recent conference call that the issue has been blown out of proportion: "We've certainly been writing," he said. "I know Joe's got some licks and I've got a bunch of songs that I've written, and we're into a writing program with the band, so...we're already booked for a tour, November/December, that should be South America and Japan. So, I mean, what you hear in the press about Aerosmith getting in the way of 'American Idol', it just isn't so."

Frederiksen told Billboard.com that the band and he have been "playing songs, putting together riffs, having fun, laughing and working from noon to 11 (p.m.) We're just digging in, man."

Tyler and his bandmates — guitarist Brad Whitford, bassist Tom Hamilton and drummer Joey Kramer — will continue working through February 2, when Tyler begins his live appearances as an "American Idol" judge.

Although a recent New York Post article indicated that AEROSMITH was "unable to work" due to Tyler's "American Idol" gig, Tyler's attorney Dina LaPolt responded, "Mr. Tyler's 'American Idol' contract was specifically negotiated to work around his AEROSMITH touring and recording schedule."

The new album will be AEROSMITH's first studio effort since 2004's "Honkin' On Bobo" covers set and first collection of all-new tunes since 2001's "Just Push Play".