Recording “Walk This Way”: Jack Douglas, engineer Jay Messina, and Joe Perry.Īerosmith was opening for The Guess Who in Hawaii, December 1974. The idea for “Walk This Way” started at sound check in 1974. Just this year, the track was inducted into the GRAMMY Hall of Fame.
The hip hop cover was incredibly influential on its own it for creating the subgenre “rap rock.” “Walk This Way” not only helped break Aerosmith into the mainstream in the ’70s, it also rejuvenated the band’s career in the ’80s when it was covered by Run–D.M.C. It was part of a string of successful hits for the band in that era. “Walk This Way” is the second single from 1975’s Toys in the Attic.Īfter its release in August 1975, the song peaked at number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. So really, it was both of them! It was a proper collaborative effort as a band. Kramer then took over and added all of the finesse and groove that we hear on the record. Both Steven Tyler, who does play drums, and Joey Kramer take credit for it! Jack was able to shed some light on the topic for us.Īs he tells it, Tyler sat down first to bang out an unpolished version of the beat. There’s been some debate over the years as to which Aerosmith member came up with the main drum bit. Jack engineered and produced 4 of Aerosmith’s 6 records in the ’70s, including Get Your Wings (1974), Toys in the Attic (1975), Rocks (1976), and Draw the Line (1977). All of these incredible albums are multi-platinum! “Walk This Way” Who came up with the drum part? From left: Jack Douglas, Joe Perry, Steven Tyler, and Joey Kramer. He would continue to work with Lennon until the day he passed.Īs a staff engineer at Record Plant in New York City Jack worked with countless incredible artists, including but not limited to Patti Smith, Blue Öyster Cult, The New York Dolls, and perhaps most notably, Aerosmith. He worked his way up to the desk as an engineer and participated in projects by Miles Davis, The James Gang, Alice Cooper, and of course Cheap Trick, who he got signed to their first record deal! Jack also had the amazing opportunity to engineer John Lennon’s Imagine album in 1971 as well.
His first professional gig was as a janitor at the Record Plant in New York.
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