Steven to Be New Judge on Idol

Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler has signed a deal to become a judge on American Idol, according to a news report on Wednesday quoting one of his bandmates. Tyler, 62, would fill one of three vacancies left on the four-person panel by the departures of Simon Cowell and Ellen DeGeneres and the reported axing of songwriter Kara DioGuardi. Randy Jackson, the only remaining original judge, is expected to remain with the talent show.
For weeks speculation has centered around Tyler and singer/actress Jennifer Lopez joining Idol, which is undergoing a major restructuring to arrest its ratings decline. National auditions are already under way ahead of the show's Season 10 premiere in January.
Fox and the show's producers have kept largely quiet on the speculation, but Aerosmith bassist Tom Hamilton has revealed that Tyler's deal is done.
"Steven is doing American Idol. The ink is dry on that," he is quoted as saying as saying.
"Steven is someone who absolutely lives to be in front of an audience, and the people closest to him know how witty and entertaining he can be. I don't know if American Idol will be rock 'n' roll enough for him, but it is an opportunity for millions of people to see another side of Steven Tyler."

Tyler would bring a harder edge to a show where contestants seem to favour soft-pop ballads. The colourful showman can also be counted upon to deliver -- maybe even sing -- witty, Little Richard-style verdicts on the performances.
Aerosmith is on a North American trek that ends on September 16 in Vancouver. The veteran rockers nearly broke up last year amid a feud between Tyler and his bandmates. At the band's Toronto show on Tuesday, Tyler fell off the stage midsong after guitarist Joe Perry backed into him. He was not injured. Fans debated the next day if it was deliberate.
Last year, Tyler broke his shoulder after falling off the stage without any assistance from his bandmates. The group was forced to cancel its tour, and once again put on the back burner any plans to record its first studio album since 2001.
Steven Tyler has performed some great songs, not the least of which is 'Dream On'. Maybe he can pass on the message of that song to discouraged contestants. Maybe he can relate to their feelings and performance jitters. Yes, I think he is probably a pretty good judge of talent. He sure has been performing a long time and has met some very talented musicians. I have to wonder why he was selected over Jennifer Lopez. With Simon Lithgoe on board as well, there will be three male judges. Is that fair??
Perhaps JLO is is too much of a diva for the producers' tastes.