American Idol signs Steven Tyler, say sources

[HMG] – American Idol scours the nation for new stars aged 16-28. Which explains why they have just apparently signed 62-year old Aerosmith front-man Steven Tyler as their new judge.

Steven is seen as the latest potential replacement for the departing Ellen DeGeneres. Also in the running was Jennifer Lopez. But her demands for $20-million a year, plus her own hair and makeup team and her own “dressing room compound,” make her unlikely to land the prime job.

But sources close to the media-friendly game of musical chairs tell THR that Tyler is the new judge. Fox had no comment.

TV insiders say Tyler is too old to judge a contest whose minimum age is to be lowered to 15, and whose major audience are all under 50. But he does bring a ‘name’ to the show, and that’s said to be very persuasive.

Other than Steven, Fox were said to be chasing country star, Shania Twain for the role. But again, no deal is confirmed.

One piece of good news, however, is that Randy Jackson will return to the show.

If Steven does land the post, it comes at a very good time — At a concert in Toronto last night his fellow Aerosmith band-mate, Joe Perry pushed him into the crowd, according to TMZ.

The band were engaged in a rousing performance of “Love in an Elevator,’ when Steven bumped Perry with his hip. Joe responded in kind — and sent Steve flying, face-first into the crowd.

Steven eventually regained his feet — with help from Joe — then announced, “It ain’t gonna happen again, baby!”

Aerosmith started in Boston in 1970 and have since sold over 60-million albums in the US alone. But insiders say Steve and Joe have been at war for some time over the band’s long-term direction. They were even close to dissolving the group earlier this year, so Idol would give Steve an escape route he quite clearly needs.

But what do you think? Should Steven do Idol? If not, who’s your choice?…