Tyler admits Hepatitis C infection

Wednesday, September 27, 2006

Los Angeles (Reuters): Steven Tyler, lead singer of rock band Aerosmith, has battled Hepatitis C for three years and at one point underwent chemotherapy that ''about killed me,'' he told celebrity television show Access Hollywood. In an interview set to airo yesterday, Tyler, 58, said he remained ''pretty quiet about this'' after being diagnosed with the disease about three years ago when Aerosmith was on a break from touring and recording. ''I talked to my doctor ... and he said now is the time, and it's 11 months of chemotherapy. So I went on that and it about killed me,'' Tyler said.

He said after the treatment the disease was now ''non-existent in my bloodstream.'' Hepatitis C can lead to chronic liver infection and cirrhosis. About 1 per cent to 5 per cent of people with the disease eventually dies from long-term infection, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Aerosmith has been among rock music's most prolific bands since first breaking big in the 1970s with hit singles such as ''Walk this Way'' and ''Sweet Emotion.'' They suffered a lull in the 1980s, but rebounded with 1987 album ''Permanent Vacation,'' which included the single ''Dude (Looks Like a Lady).'' Tyler also is the father of actress Liv Tyler.