12 Hard Rock Band Members Who Switched Instruments

Steven Tyler's calling card has always been his trademark wail. No matter what kind of vocalist you are, it's no small feat to take on an Aerosmith tune given Tyler's amazing vocal chops. Even with the stage charisma of five frontmen, Tyler's beginnings were far from center stage.

When Tyler first began playing music, he learned the piano based on the classical pieces his father would play for him. However, the tide started to shift once the British Invasion set Tyler's musical mind going. As Tyler began playing in local bands in the Northeast, he would often be sitting in on drums instead of singing. Building up his chops night after night, Tyler began growing into the professional musician that we know today...he was just missing the right band.

After finally finding his songwriting partner in Joe Perry, Tyler struck out on his own with Aerosmith. Though his skills as a drummer were already great, Tyler insisted on being the frontman, which led the band to funk drummer Joey Kramer, who gave them their trademark sense of rhythm. Steven Tyler deserves a spot amongst the greatest frontmen of all time, but his technical prowess on the skins have led him to "help out" live on occasion.