AND NOW . . . STEVEN TYLER MAY BE OFF THE WAGON: 

With all the uncertainty surrounding the future of AEROSMITH, a few things are becoming clear:  For starters, despite what STEVEN TYLER says . . . the rest of the band does believe that he is not a part of Aerosmith right now.

--And now there's talk that the issue with Steven goes beyond any personal conflicts and differences he may have with the band.  He may be struggling with substance abuse again.

--And that talk is coming from within the band itself.  Specifically drummer JOEY KRAMER and guitarist BRAD WHITFORD.

--Whitford tells "Rolling Stone", quote, "He doesn't act like a sober person.  I'm not hanging with the guy, but his history of drug abuse is well documented.  And like many other people in this same position, the prospects aren't good.

--"For most people, full blown recovery is a tough thing to pull off."

--In the same interview, Kramer seems to agree . . . although he's a little more vague.  He says, quote, "I hope that Steven takes the time to put the focus on Steven and get healthy and take care of himself."

--Kramer wouldn't directly elaborate on what he means by "get healthy," he just adds, quote, "The truth of that is something that only Steven can answer and I'm not really at liberty to discuss it, you'd have to speak with him or his management."

--Whatever Steven is dealing with, Kramer and Whitford say they'd support him . . . but that Steven has almost completely cut himself off from the group.

--Kramer tells "Billboard", quote, "Steven isolates [himself] more and more all the time, that's what gives it away to me that there's something going on.

--"I don't know what that is.  I know he's made some not so great choices and he's got some negative influences around him now.  I love the guy.  I just want to see him get some help."

--He adds, quote, "I've called him and left voice mails and texted him.  I get no reply.  One of his biggest things is that, 'Well, nobody calls me.'  Well, that's bull(crap), 'cause I have.  I've always been there for him and I probably always will be.

--"I can only hope and pray that Steven will put the focus on Steven and get healthy."

(--Just to be clear:  All this is ADMITTED speculation at this point.  Steven has not talked about what's going on with him since all this started unraveling.)

THE LATEST ON AEROSMITH'S FUTURE PLANS: 

Publicly, STEVEN TYLER says he's not leaving AEROSMITH . . . but if that were really the case, the rest of the band wouldn't need to look for a new singer.  And even though no decisions are imminent, that IS what they are planning to do.

--Guitarist BRAD WHITFORD tells "Billboard", quote, "No one can fill Steven Tyler's shoes . . . [but we have] people that we know or are friends that we think might consider doing it.  (--He wouldn't reveal any names.)

--"Hopefully we'll do something creative and push the boundaries . . . maybe make some new music, not just go out there and be, like, an Aerosmith cover band."

--They also might not call this new venture Aerosmith.  Drummer JOEY KRAMER says, quote, "We're contemplating our options, and [the name] is one of them. 

--"Brad and [bassist] Tom [HAMILTON] and [guitarist] Joe [PERRY] and I wish to continue to play and tour as a band, so whatever is involved in that, in moving forward, that's what we intend to do.  The four of us stand united."

--Whitford adds that their first choice is still Steven.  He says, quote, "We would love to [works things out].  No group of guys would like him back more than we would.

--"We would never shut the door . . . there might be a sign on that door that has a list of qualifications, but we would never shut the door."

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