Godsmack: Sully Erna Praises Steven Tyler's Decision To Join American Idol

FOX’s “American Idol” program is one of the most popular shows on television. When the most recent adjudicating panel was announced, Kid Rock scorned Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler for joining. Now, Tyler is finally receiving some support from a fellow frontman.

In an interview with Detroit’s WRIF 101.1 FM, Godsmack’s Sully Erna praised Tyler’s decision to join the cast of “American Idol.”

"I think it's brilliant. Beyond good. I think he's gonna be the male Paula Abdul, 'cause he's a little bit dingy, you know what I mean?!,” Erna said. “He's probably all pilled up, and he's gonna be funny. I mean, he's witty, he's really witty."

Erna also remarked about how Kid Rock called Tyler’s decision to join “American Idol” "the stupidest thing he's ever done in his life. He's a sacred American institution of rock 'n' roll, and he just threw it all out the window. Just stomped on it and set it on fire."

"Kid Rock needs to shut up. That's not true. This is gonna be great for TV, man,” Erna said. “It's supposedly the right thing to do to is to rag on a show like that 'cause it's so popular, and everybody that has a problem most of the time, they have a problem with something that's really popular — it's the envy/jealousy thing; I don't know what it is. I'm not saying that's what it is with Kid Rock, because I get along with him fine. But I have to disagree. I think it's brilliant that Steven Tyler is gonna be one of the judges; I think it's gonna be so good."

The full radio interview can be found at the Blabbermouth report page.

Kid Rock isn’t the only noted artist to speak negatively of Tyler’s decision to join “Idol.” Legendary guitarist Slash also had some not-so-nice comments about Tyler sitting on the show’s judging panel on New York radio station Q 104.3.

"It's really sort of disappointing to me that he's gone and done that, for whatever reason,” he said. "A lot of it having to do with (the fact that) I just know the guy and the other guys in the band are bummed out and they've had a really rocky road for a while. And then just because 'American Idol' is what it is, so it's hard for me to put the thing together."

Erna released his first solo album “Avalon” on September 14.

Comments

[Birdall]

Imo, American Idol is bringing music down. True, there are some "decent" artists that have been created by the show (Daughtry). But overall, I don't think the show is doing good things for music. I think Sully's right in that Tyler will be funny. But young kids are watching this show, and thinking that this is what music is supposed to be like. These kids should be listening to some of Aerosmith's old albums to get a good idea of what music really is. American Idol is doing now what MTV did twenty-five years ago.

[Lion_Slicer]

Erna is right--it will be good for the show. Not necessarily for Tyler's rock and roll credentials, though Kid Rock certainly has no authority on that count. I'm closer to agreeing with Slash that it's a "disappointing" move rather than flat-out "stupid."

And yeah, the show may get the ratings but it does not have a positive impact on the music world. It basically defines music as something that needs to fit in with the corporate goals of TV producers and huge record labels... pretty much the opposite of what I think music should be.

[lpwjbklyn]

Birdall wrote:

Imo, American Idol is bringing music down. True, there are some "decent" artists that have been created by the show (Daughtry). But overall, I don't think the show is doing good things for music. I think Sully's right in that Tyler will be funny. But young kids are watching this show, and thinking that this is what music is supposed to be like. These kids should be listening to some of Aerosmith's old albums to get a good idea of what music really is. American Idol is doing now what MTV did twenty-five years ago.

I get what you're saying...but don't you think it's a tad over the top, even for a generalization? "American Idol is bringing music down." What constitutes "music"? Are you talking about a collective of every single genre and style out there (pop, rock, rap, country, celtic, gregorian chants, Aboriginal hymns)? I'm not sure that American Idol's influence is THAT far reaching. Are you talking about rock or metal, alone? If so--do you really think that any of the winners of the show have had any true impact on the record sales or popularity of a band like Metallica, the Stone Temple Pilots, or individual artists like Slash?

"But young kids are watching this show, and thinking that this is what music is supposed to be like. [sic]"

Well what IS music supposed to be like? Again--there are many different types of music and musicians out there. Many of them are pop artists who don't write their own material; their talent lies within their vocal cords and perhaps their dancing abilities. Others (like the aforementioned Daughtry) is a competent singer/songwriter and musician (in his case, guitarist). Then you have all of the kids who play orchestral instruments in school growing up but who then go on to do nothing musically related in their adult lives. They've avoided the supposed influence of American Idol but still have nothing to show for it.

Forgive me for making this assumption--I'm only extracting what I can from your commentary--but I'm figuring that you and I are in the same boat: fans of rock and avid musicians (guitarists/bassists). We both have a vested interest in seeing a more varied musical panoply offered to kids...and yet the most prolific thing out there is pop music via programs like American Idol and the like. But what about institutions like Rock Band and Guitar Hero? Aren't they equally damaging to these same kids? Won't kids brought up on these games (who will undoubtedly be better exposed to a broader range of music than kids who watch American Idol) have a warped understanding of the intricacies of music that will ultimately hinder them in their potential attempts to become musicians themselves?

Here's what I mean: you have a kid who can play a famous rock song with a very difficult solo on the highest difficulty level in Rock Band. He knows the song, knows that its renowned for its solo...and he feels that he can "play" it. Does he understand the true musical value of the solo in question? Does he appreciate why it's regarded so highly? And what happens when he picks up a real guitar and attempts to play the song? Won't his previous experience and false confidence serve only to cripple his over-inflated sense of ego and reduce his ambition and motivation to learn how to play guitar?

I guess the bottom line is this: kids who learn about music from American Idol only are likely surrounded by people who enjoy that type of music. Those same kids will either stay in their pop-music bubble or, become so interested in music that they will branch out and gain greater exposure to a variety of genres. The same can be said for the Guitar Hero/Rock Band kids. Can we say that American Idol or said video games are bringing music down? I don't think we can because, at the end of the day, it is still serving as a gateway for kids to hear music and, hopefully, to inspire them to learn more (e.g. how can hearing Queen or Elvis on American Idol be seen as a detriment? Ditto for the kid who plays Sweet Home Alabama in a video game and says "Damn! I've gotta learn how to play this on a real guitar!")

[Skinny91]

To lpwjbklyn - Its funny you say, "a tad over the top", then proceed to put the longest comment I've ever read on the UG comments section

I think it all depends how you think about it. You can look at it damaging Steven Tylers image/selling out, or you can look at it as him bringing something legitmate to a not very legitimate show. Although he is screwing his band members over a bit, the sales of the new album will certainly improve because he will be right in the mainstream. Not to mention I bet he got payed a lot to do it. I'm not saying its right by any means, but I'll bet it would be hard to turn down the increased album sales and a ton of money.

I personally don't agree with these talent shows because I think it doesn't do much to help the artists. It's even more sad when you see genuinly talented artists that will fade to nothingness after a year.

[Birdall]

Dang man, i wasn't trying to pass a bill or anything. I was just saying I think it's sad to see what American Idol is doing to music. Honestly, I kinda feel the same about Guitar Hero. I love playing that game, but i feel like it kinda cheapens music. And yes, it's cool that kids are being exposed to good music through these portals. But I do see your point... and again, I wasn't trying to make a big deal. just stating an opinion.

[Rock.Domination]

@lpwjbklyn, Very true... I was brought up on pop music, and I only started listening to Rock through Guitar Hero and American idol. One of my earliest rock bands was Daughtry, then I started listening some of the bands on Guitar Hero. These things can make a child like more forms of music.

[jcreaper666]

You know I can respect what hes doing, I understand where Sully is coming from, but just because Steven Tyler is gunna be on the show now, doesn't mean I'm gunna watch it. Kudos to him. I look at it this way to, what else would Steven be doing?