Brad Whitford

Early Life and Education

Bradley Ernest Whitford was born in 1952 and grew up in Reading, Massachusetts. He graduated from Reading Memorial High School in 1970 and further honed his musical skills at the Berklee College of Music.

Career

Whitford's musical journey began in local bands such as Cymbals of Resistance and Justin Thyme before he joined the iconic rock band Aerosmith in 1971, replacing original guitarist Ray Tabano. Aerosmith quickly rose to fame in the 1970s, becoming one of the most successful bands of the era. After a period of less successful albums, Whitford left the band in 1981 to pursue a project with singer Derek St. Holmes, known as Whitford/St. Holmes. Although the project was short-lived, they reunited for tours in 2015 and 2016, releasing a new album titled "Reunion."

In the mid-1980s, after both he and fellow bandmate Joe Perry completed drug rehabilitation, Whitford rejoined Aerosmith. He has since contributed significantly to the band's repertoire, co-writing hits like "Last Child" and playing lead guitar on several tracks, including "Sick as a Dog" and "Back In the Saddle." Whitford's guitar work is particularly celebrated in the live version of "Lord of the Thighs" from the 1978 album "Live! Bootleg."

Legacy

Whitford was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Aerosmith in 2001, solidifying his status as a key figure in rock music. Despite acknowledging his lesser role in songwriting compared to Perry and Tyler, he remains an integral part of Aerosmith's sound and continues to perform actively with the band.