Livin’ on the Edge
- Author
- Joe Milliken
- Narrator
- TBD
- Publisher
- Bloomsbury Publishing
- Publish Date
- 10 December 2026
- Run Time
- 7 hours 30 minutes
- Format
- Audiobook
What to expect
Joe Milliken chronicles the guitar hero’s early life and meteoric rise to stardom, then Aerosmith’s collapse and comeback. He also explores Perry’s adventures as a solo artist, entrepreneur, and in projects including the Joe Perry Project and the Hollywood Vampires. Intertwining exclusive interviews with childhood friends, fellow musicians, and industry professionals, Livin’ on the Edge is the definitive portrait of an iconic rock star who remains the blues-drenched, rock ’n’ roll soul of Aerosmith.
Growing up in the suburbs of Boston, Joe Perry was obsessed with the guitar from an early age and set his sights on one goal: to become a professional musician. In 1969, he met future bandmates Steven Tyler and Tom Hamilton in Sunapee, and soon after, Brad Whitford and Joey Kramer joined to complete the classic Aerosmith lineup.
The band moved to Boston, endured two years of near-poverty, and on the day they signed a management deal, found themselves holding a promoter’s contract in one hand and an eviction notice in the other. What followed became one of rock’s most legendary rides: an explosion of fame and fortune, clashing egos, addiction, internal conflict, and breakup—followed by a triumphant comeback that led to Aerosmith’s induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and cemented their reputation as America’s greatest rock band.
Over the course of their career, Aerosmith have earned 12 multi-platinum, 18 platinum, and 25 gold records, totaling over 150 million units sold worldwide, along with 4 Grammy Awards, an Academy Award nomination, induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, an ASCAP Founders Award, a Tony Award, and numerous Billboard, Cashbox, People’s Choice, MTV, Boston, and American Music Awards.
Critics Review
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There are plenty of rock biographies filled with gossip and legends. Milliken accomplished something much deeper, capturing the spirit of Joe Perry. It’s authentic, deeply researched, and written with genuine understanding and respect. It’s the definitive Joe Perry biography.
former Aerosmith manager
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Joe Perry’s a private guy – humble, reserved, reticent, and a monster talent! Milliken does all the ‘getting to know Joe Perry’ for you, and you’ll come away with much love and respect for this extraordinary man and musician.
songwriter, four-time Juno Award winner
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I’ve contributed interviews for several authors writing about various music personalities, and Milliken is among the most insightful and diligent biographers in the field.
Joe Perry Project vocalist, founder of Boston rockers Farrenheit, solo artist
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Livin’ on the Edge offers amazing insight on guitar icon Joe Perry. From his nascent days as an inspiring guitarist, to the formation of Aerosmith and forays into his side projects, Milliken presents this meticulously researched account of one of the world’s beloved musicians.
guitar instructor, author, Guitar World editor
See more reviews See fewer reviews
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Fearless rock biographer Joe Milliken takes an enigma – the stone-silent, guitarist Joe Perry – and delivers a deeply researched portrait of a true rock icon.
Joe Perry Project vocalist, author of Once a Rocker Always a Rocker
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Milliken approaches his work with a love and understanding of Boston rock history. He looks beyond the beloved albums to find out how they happened, and how it took these people to make the lightening strike. His books add an essential piece to the story of Boston rock.
music journalist and author of The Sound of Our Town: A History of Boston Rock and Roll
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I’ve known Joe for years. He’s a fellow, Irish-Boston hockey guy and a lifelong fan of Joe Perry and Aerosmith. I also know he put his heart and soul into this book.
Aerosmith’s 70s tour manager
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I can’t think of anyone more prepared to write a book about Joe Perry, than Joe Milliken. As 12-year-olds we cut our musical teeth listening to endless hours of music in his room, and as we got older the walls of that room became strewn with posters of his favorite band. Over the years we’ve talked about Joe and Aerosmith more times than I can count, but I know this book will reveal much I don’t know about this rock legend.
ACE film editor, Flourentime Films
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Milliken maps out Perry's career in studious detail.
Publishers Weekly
User Reviews
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Details
- Author
- Joe Milliken
- Narrator
- TBD
- Duration
- 7 hours 30 minutes
- Release Date
- 10 December 2026
- ISBN
- 9798216462361
- Format
- Audiobook
- Publisher
- Bloomsbury Publishing
- Genre
- Biography: arts and entertainment
Synopsis
<b>From the streets of Boston to global stardom, the journey of Aerosmith’s Joe Perry embodies determination, perseverance, and survival through 6 decades of rock music history.</b><br><br>Joe Milliken chronicles the guitar hero’s early life and meteoric rise to stardom, then Aerosmith’s collapse and comeback. He also explores Perry’s adventures as a solo artist, entrepreneur, and in projects including the Joe Perry Project and the Hollywood Vampires. Intertwining exclusive interviews with childhood friends, fellow musicians, and industry professionals, <i>Livin’ on the Edge</i> is the definitive portrait of an iconic rock star who remains the blues-drenched, rock ’n’ roll soul of Aerosmith. <br><br>Growing up in the suburbs of Boston, Joe Perry was obsessed with the guitar from an early age and set his sights on one goal: to become a professional musician. In 1969, he met future bandmates Steven Tyler and Tom Hamilton in Sunapee, and soon after, Brad Whitford and Joey Kramer joined to complete the classic Aerosmith lineup. <br><br>The band moved to Boston, endured two years of near-poverty, and on the day they signed a management deal, found themselves holding a promoter’s contract in one hand and an eviction notice in the other. What followed became one of rock’s most legendary rides: an explosion of fame and fortune, clashing egos, addiction, internal conflict, and breakup—followed by a triumphant comeback that led to Aerosmith’s induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and cemented their reputation as America’s greatest rock band. <br><br>Over the course of their career, Aerosmith have earned 12 multi-platinum, 18 platinum, and 25 gold records, totaling over 150 million units sold worldwide, along with 4 Grammy Awards, an Academy Award nomination, induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, an ASCAP Founders Award, a Tony Award, and numerous Billboard, Cashbox, People’s Choice, MTV, Boston, and American Music Awards.
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