Steven Tyler Announces Departure from "American Idol"

After Jennifer Lopez's "Today" appearance all but confirmed her long-coming decision to exit "American Idol", Steven Tyler announced that he will be departing the judges' table after two seasons on the hit FOX show.

"After some long ... hard ... thoughts … I've decided it's time for me to let go of my mistress American Idol before she boils my rabbit," the 64-year-old told in a press release made public on Thursday (July 12).

The rock icon also stated, "I strayed from my first love, Aerosmith, and I'm back - but instead of begging on my hands and knees, I got two fists in the air and I'm kicking the door open with my band."

Getting the blessings of the "Idol" bigwigs, executive producer Simon Fuller released a statement on the departure, which read: "Steven Tyler is a real 'Idol,' a rock legend. If you had told me 10 years ago he would be a judge on American Idol, I would have thought it impossible. ... I completely understand his desire to get back to his life as the singer in America's greatest-ever rock band. American Idol will miss him!"

In the midst of his departure announcement earlier today, Tyler revealed that Aerosmith's comeback will be jump started by the release of their 15th studio album, which is tentatively titled "Music from Another Dimension!". Scheduled to hit shelves on November 6th, the collaboration marks the group's first studio release in eight years.

Regarding his music plans, Tyler dished, "The next few years are going to be dedicated to kicking some serious a**. 'Idol' was over-the-top fun, and I loved every minute of it…Now it's time to bring Rock Back." 

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