Having conquered the 1970s with the seminal stadium rock albums Toys in the Attic and Rocks, Aerosmith  appeared to fall apart in the 1980s with a string of disappointing albums and various interpersonal dramas. But by the end of the decade, Run-D.M.C. collaboration "Walk This Way" and pop metal blockbusters Pump and Permanent Vacation had helped the Boston outfit to reclaim their crown as America's biggest band. The big question was whether they could sustain their unexpected second wind into the 1990s? 

1993's Get A Grip answered that with a resounding yes. In fact, Aerosmith's 11th studio effort proved to be their commercial zenith, racking up a career-best 20 million sales worldwide, spawning four top 40 singles and winning Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal GRAMMY Award for two consecutive years.  

To celebrate its 30th anniversary, here are 10 ways  Steven Tyler, guitarists Joe Perry and Brad Whitford, bassist Tom Hamilton and drummer Joey Kramer managed to build on their down-and-dirty legacy through Get A Grip.  

It Recognized The Band's Unique Selling Point 

In the four years since Aerosmith's previous album, the playful excesses of the hair metal scene had given way to the grunge movement's super-serious quest for authenticity. While the likes of Mötley Crue and Skid Row unwisely tried to beat Nirvana and Pearl Jam at their own game, Tyler and co. recognized that there was still an audience for pure rock 'n' roll.  

Indeed, Get A Grip entirely ignores everything else that was dominating the charts of 1993 and instead plays confidently to the band's strengths. The lyrics here are optimistic and often mischievous (see "I'd rather be OD'ing on the crack of her ass" on drug recovery tale "Fever"), and the maximalist production is designed to raise the roof. If rock fans needed a party record in 1993, there was only one candidate. 

It Foreshadowed The Country Crossover

From Bon Jovi and Shawn Michaels to Darius Rucker and Aaron Lewis, it sometimes appears as though every rocker of the late 20th century has pivoted into country music at some point or other. But seven years after they proved that guitars and hip-hop needn't be mutually exclusive, Aerosmith once again led the way with yet another crossover.  

The harmonica solos and twangy guitar riffs of "Cryin'" and "Crazy" sound tailor made for the Grand Ole Opry — the former was actually co-penned by Nashville native Taylor Rhodes. Tyler would later score a No. 1 on the Top Country Albums chart with his 2016 solo debut, We're All Somebody from Somewhere. 

It Cemented Their Status As MTV Icons

Aerosmith became MTV favorites in the '80s thanks to eye-catching videos for "Dude Looks Like A Lady" and "Love In An Elevator." But would they still be as welcome in the '90s now that each member was well into their mid-40s? In a stroke of genius, the band acknowledged that they might need some younger faces to help sell their bombastic hard rock. Step forward the future star of seminal teen flick Clueless. 

A 16-year-old Alicia Silverstone appeared in three of Get A Grip's promos, first testing the limits of virtual reality in "Amazing," going on to play a bungee-jumping spurned lover in "Cryin'" and then teaming up with Tyler's daughter Liv in the Thelma and Louise-esque "Crazy." The concept paid dividends for all involved – Silverstone and the younger Tyler became instant pop culture icons, and Aerosmith continued to dominate MTV, even picking up Video of the Year at the network's annual VMAs.  

It Proved They Had A Social Conscience

You usually know what you're getting lyrically from an Aerosmith track –  they haven't earned a reputation as the masters of sleaze rock for nothing. But while Get A Grip still has plenty of sex, drugs (surprisingly of the anti-kind) and rock tales, it also showcased a more socially-conscious side to the former hellraisers.  

Inspired by the 1992 Los Angeles uprising following the death of Rodney King,, GRAMMY-winning first single "Livin' on the Edge" finds Tyler tackling everything from racism to religion as he pontificates over the state of the world. Admittedly, lines like "If Chicken Little tells you that the sky is falling/Even if it wasn't, would you still come crawling" weren’t exactly the height of insightful lyricism. But it reminded listeners the group could provide some substance to their hard-partying style.  

It Made Digital History 

While much has been made of David Bowie's pioneering use of the internet, he wasn't the only rock titan to embrace the online world early on. In 1994, Aerosmith once again proved that they could keep up with the times when they released the first digital download song by a major artist. 

Although "Head First" didn't appear on Get A Grip, it was recorded for the album and was first issued as a B-side to second single "Eat the Rich." Ten thousand CompuServe subscribers downloaded the four-megabyte WAV file within its first few days. With the world wide web still in infancy, it no doubt took a similar time frame to wait for its completion. 

It Elevated Their Power Ballad Credentials 

Aerosmith weren't exactly strangers to the power ballad when they released two of the early '90s' finest examples. Later sampled by Eminem, 1973's "Dream On" is considered by some to be the rock genre's first ever. And predecessors Permanent Vacation ("Angel") and Pump ("What It Takes") both spawned hits tailor-made for belting out in front of a mirror with hairbrush.  

But the double whammy of "Crazy" and "Cryin'" took the band's ability to pull at the heartstrings to another level. The former, of course, was also their first epic slowie to win a GRAMMY. And no doubt that Diane Warren was taking note; the GRAMMY winner later penned Aerosmith's only No. 1, Armageddon's suitably blockbuster love song "I Don't Want To Miss A Thing." 

It's Precision Tooled For Success 

Having previously experienced life in the rock wilderness, Aerosmith left nothing to chance for their first album in four years. Indeed, the majority of Get A Grip's 14 tracks feature a helping hand from a seasoned songwriter, from Jim Vallance (Bryan Adams) on the satirical "Eat the Rich" to Desmond Child (Bon Jovi) on the carnal rock of "Flesh" and Mark Hudson (Cher) on the funky "Gotta Love It." 

That's perhaps why the record spawned no fewer than seven singles, four of which made the top 40 ("Livin' on the Edge," "Cryin'," "Crazy," "Amazing") and why, with the exception of closing instrumental "Boogie Man" and brief "Walk This Way"-referencing "Intro," every other track was worthy of a release. 

Some Aerosmith purists may have balked at all the outside interference, but despite their blatant hit-chasing approach the band never lost sight of who they are. 

It Boasts Rock Royalty

As well as recruiting a who's who of professional songwriters to boost Get A Grip's hit-making potential, Aerosmith also invited two bona fide rock legends to give the record even more pizzazz. Listen closely to the backing vocals on the autobiographical stadium rock of "Amazing" and you'll hear the raspy tones of fellow '70s survivor Don Henley.  

Meanwhile, the ultra-cool Lenny Kravitz – then very much at his commercial peak – went one better. Not only did he lend his voice to the full-throttle blues-rock of "Line Up," he also helped Tyler and Perry write it. The "Are You Gonna Go My Way" singer later went on to support Aerosmith on their mid- '00s tour, Rockin' The Joint.  

It Contains Joe Perry's Best Lead Vocal 

With one of the most charismatic frontmen in rock history at their disposal, Aerosmith have wisely only allowed Perry to take center stage on a handful of occasions. The guitarist first grabbed the mic for himself on "Bright Light Fright," a track from 1977's Draw the Line but had to wait until Get A Grip to take the lead once again. 

Also penned solely by Perry, "Walk on Down" is the kind of driving back-to-basics rock that once saw the group hailed as the USA's answer to the Rolling Stones. But the vocals are far easier on the ear than whenever Keith Richards takes over from Mick Jagger.  

It Features The Group's Most Striking Cover

Aerosmith could never be accused of playing it safe with their cover art. Who can forget Nine Lives' controversial depiction of Lord Krishna throwing some shapes on the snake demon Kaliya's head? Or the slightly nightmarish caricatures of Draw the Line? But Get A Grip's close-up of a cow's pierced udder undoubtedly remains the band's most striking. 

Designed by metal favorite Hugh Syme (Iron Maiden's The X Factor, Def Leppard's Retro Active), the image divided audiences at the time, with music journalist Steven Hyden blasting it as the worst album cover ever, while various animal rights groups also took umbrage, too. According to the group, however, the offending image was entirely computer generated.  

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What do you expect Aerosmith to do when they win big at the GRAMMYs? Bow reverentially in black-tie attire and retire to the parlor for a spot of English Breakfast? 

No, when presenters Vanessa Williams and Meat Loaf announce that the Bad Boys from Boston won the GRAMMY for Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals for "Livin' On The Edge," the fivesome stroll onstage looking like a biker gang—as if they're ready to rock Madison Square Garden.

"Why do I love rock 'n' roll? Because it gets me off!" Steven Tyler announces to the crowd, scowling in a black tank-top with his hair teased and tangled. "Everything I've ever loved was immoral, illegal, fattening or grew hair on your palms."

See above for more quotable moments from the Bad Boys from Boston in the newest episode of GRAMMY Rewind. Bring a little rock 'n' roll into your workday and click here to enjoy more episodes of the throwback video series.

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Thirty years on, "Janie's Got a Gun" remains one of Aerosmith's most infectious, swaggering tunes. 

So, it's fitting that when they won a GRAMMY for the now-classic song, they maintained that energy, strutting to the stage when the B-52s and Cyndi Lauper announced their victory.

In the latest installment of GRAMMY Rewind, watch the Bad Boys from Boston win Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal for "Janie's Got a Gun" at the 33rd GRAMMY Awards in 1991.

Check out the throwback clip above and click here to enjoy more episodes of GRAMMY Rewind.

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The 2020 GRAMMY Awards were a sight to behold on Sunday, Jan. 26, opening with a brilliant performance from Lizzo and Sasha Flute and closing out with multiple wins from 18-year-old pop wunderkind Billie Eilish, who swept the major categories (Best New Artist, Record Of The Year, Song Of The Year and Album Of The Year, respectively). Though the night had an unexpected dark cloud overhead with the recent news of basketball legend Kobe Bryant's passing, host Alicia Keys and the night's many performers came through with both respectful tributes and still-celebratory vibes. Relive the magic below with our roundup of 10 unmissable moments from the 2020 GRAMMY Awards.

Lizzo Opens The Show

Singer/songwriter, rapper and flutist Lizzo, who took home three GRAMMYs—Best Pop Solo Performance for "Truth Hurts," Best Urban Contemporary Album for Cuz I Love You and Best Traditional R&B Performance for "Jerome"—opened the show with a stellar performance of "Cuz I Love You," which she dedicated to Kobe Bryant. Backed by a group of all-female string and horn players and all-female backup dancers, Lizzo, dressed in a floor-length black sparkling gown before switching into a futuristic leotard for "Truth Hurts," delivered a powerhouse performance, replete with her flute delivered to her onstage on a silver platter which was fitting for this queen who, like her "Truth Hurts" lyrics express, clearly won't ever be anyone's "side chick."

Alicia Keys & Boyz II Men Pay Tribute To Kobe Bryant

GRAMMY host Alicia Keys, with her hair tightly pulled back into a bun and dressed in a silver gown, adopted an appropriately somber tone when she opened the show and addressed the audience, paying her deepest respect to the tragic loss of basketball star Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna in a helicopter crash earlier in the day. Standing in the Staples Center, home to the GRAMMYs and Los Angeles Lakers, Keys referred to the center as "the house that Kobe built" as a photo of Kobe was displayed on an overhead screen. Keys asked the audience to hold Kobe, Gianna and all those who were lost in the helicopter crash in their thoughts, prayers and spirits. Keys was then joined onstage by Boyz II Men with whom she sang a beautiful rendition of "It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye."

Read More: Alicia Keys & Boyz II Men Give A Moving Tribute To Kobe Bryant At The 2020 GRAMMY Awards

Tyler, The Creator Burns Down The House

Rapper, singer/songwriter and record producer Tyler, the Creator, who won a GRAMMY for Best Rap Album for Igor and brought his mom onstage for his acceptance speech, wore his signature platinum blond wig (for his character Igor) and a pink and magenta suit and brought sizzling, amped up energy to a charged-up performance of "EARFQUAKE" and "NEW MAGIC WAND." As he sang and danced on a simulated street, with rooftop flames coming out of surrounding houses, he was joined by an army of Tyler, the Creator lookalikes, R&B artist Charlie Wilson (his Igor collaborator) and Boyz II Men as he rose up on a platform above the stage bringing the energy to a fired-up frenzy before taking it back down again. He ended his fiery, magnetic performance appearing to fall backwards on to the ground as flames burned all around.

Camila Cabello Honors Her Father

Singer/songwriter and actress Camila Cabello, who, in 2019, was the first Latina woman to open the GRAMMYs, wore a pink gown as she sang "First Man," which she wrote about her father Ajelandro. As Cabello delivered a tender and beautiful performance, home video from her childhood played on a nearby pink curtain that was erected next to her onstage. She ended her performance by singing directly to her father who was seated in the front row of the audience. Holding his hand, as tears streamed down his face, Cabello’s father kissed his daughter’s hand before standing up and hugging her. With the two locked in a heartfelt father-daughter embrace, it was an especially powerful moment given the sudden loss of Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna. 

Demi Lovato Gives A Heartwrenching Performance Of "Anyone"

Singer/songwriter and actress Demi Lovato, dressed in a sweeping white shimmering floor-length gown, became so choked up when she began to sing "Anyone," her new song which was written several days before she overdosed in 2018, that she had to stop her performance to begin again. Her emotionality and false start, however, added further sentiment and poignancy to her heartfelt and stunning delivery as tears streamed down her cheeks while she sang. While powerfully singing "Anyone"'s painfully naked lyrics "No one is listening to me," it was clear that everyone in the audience was absolutely listening. Lovato's performance, her first return to the stage since 2018, received a standing ovation from the audience.

Lil Nas X Takes Us To The "Old Town Road"

Rapper and singer/songwriter Lil Nas X, who won two GRAMMYs—Best Music Video and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for "Old Town Road"—made his GRAMMY debut performing the smash hit. Starting off solo, strumming his guitar and singing seated on a couch next to a Kobe Bryant Lakers jersey spread across a nearby armchair, Lil Nas X, wearing a black and silver sparkly cowboy hat and silver outfit, moved through a variety of ever-changing colorful sets where he was joined by  Billy Ray Cyrus, Diplo, K-pop seven-piece BTS, and 13-year-old viral yodeling sensation Mason Ramsey for a high octane and compelling performance before diving into "Rodeo" with "Big" Nas.

Billie Eilish Gives A Raw Performance Of "When The Party's Over"

18-year-old singer/songwriter Billie Eilish, who won five GRAMMYs (Song Of The Year, Best New Artist, Record Of The Year, Album Of The Year and Best Pop Vocal Album) and her collaborator and brother FINNEAS delivered a stripped down, anguished performance of "when the party’s over" driven by Eilish’s emotional, raw and gut-wrenching vocals. Eilish, seated on a stool and dressed in sparkly Gucci pajamas with matching sneakers, kept her eyes closed throughout her anguished and mesmerizing performance as Finneas accompanied her on piano. 

Read More: Meet The First-Time GRAMMY Nominee: FINNEAS On Billie Eilish & "Doing Production That No One's Ever Done Before"

Nipsey Hussle Gets A Worthy Tribute

L.A.-born rapper Nipsey Hussle, who was shot and killed last year at just 33 years old, won two posthumous GRAMMYs—Best Rap Performance for "Racks In The Middle" and Best Rap/Sung Performance for "Higher." DJ Khaled, John Legend, Meek Mill, Kirk Franklin, Roddy Ricch and YG paid an all-star tribute to the slain rapper in a hip-hop, R&B and gospel-infused performance that began with Mill performing a rap tribute to Hussle before being joined by Ricch for a new song called "Letter To Nipsey" followed by a powerful and affecting delivery of "Higher" by Khaled, Legend, Franklin, YG and video footage of Hussle. Photos of both Hussle and Bryant were shown at the end of the incredibly spirit-lifting performance. 

Rosalía Owns The GRAMMY Stage

Spanish singer/songwriter Rosalía, who won a GRAMMY for Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album for El Mal Querer, performed "Juro Que" and "Malamente (Cap 1: Augurio)." Dressed in a white fringed, form-fitting bodysuit, Rosalía started her strong vocal performance standing next to full-length mirrors and accompanied by flamenco guitarists before breaking into a captivating solo flamenco dance. The charismatic and powerful Spanish singer was then backed by a bevy of red outfitted male dancers for a red-hot, memorable performance.

Aerosmith Prove Rock's Not Dead

Aerosmith, who were honored during GRAMMY Week with the MusiCares Person Of The Year award, took it back to the '90s with their GRAMMY-winning hit "Livin’ On The Edge"—with Steven Tyler walking off the stage, directly into the crowd and running right up to Lizzo to join in for the chorus—before being joined by legendary hip-hop trio Run-D.M.C., who broke through and emerged from a graffiti-covered wall onstage, for a rocking rendition of "Walk This Way." Originally recorded in the '70s by Aerosmith and re-recorded in the '80s by Run-D.M.C. with Tyler and lead guitarist Joe Perry, the infectious energy of the collaborative performance and Tyler's signature stalking the stage like a panther provided a great throwback touch to the evening.

Read More: Check Out The Full 2020 GRAMMYs Nominees And Winners List

"The Dionysian spirit of rock is alive tonight!" actor/comedian Russell Brand announced from the stage of the glitzed-up, guitar-filled Los Angeles Convention Center last night. In true rock fashion he, as the evening's host, wore a black silk kimono and kept his voice loud and presence commanding. The order of the night was honoring four-time GRAMMY-winning rock and roll icons Aerosmith as MusiCares 2020 Person Of The Year, for both their indelible contributions to music and culture, but also in their activism—as artists in recovery and with efforts like Janie's Fund.

The exclusive gala, being held in the band's honor for this 30th-anniversary event, helped raise a lot of money for the philanthropic work of MusiCares and was filled with killer renditions of Aerosmith's endless classics by Alice Cooper, Gary Clark Jr., Yola, Melissa Etheridge, H.E.R., John Legend, Cheap Trick, the Jonas Brothers, Kesha and more. After the stellar concert, which was interspersed with footage of Aerosmith over the years and past POTY performances, the whole band was presented with their awards. Finally, the very special honorees were ready to "let the music do the talking," as Steven Tyler put it, with an epic four-song performance featuring some special guests.

While the rockin' essence of the band was felt in every powerhouse performance, everyone, especially Brand (his excitement over Tyler's signature scarf-tied mic stand was real and relatable), the anticipation for Aerosmith's set was felt by all. Read—and dream—on to find out exactly who played what. Our behind-the-scenes videos above (inside the event) and below (on the red carpet) may also get you "Cryin'."

Also, on hand for the occasion were Recording Academy Chair Emeritus Christine Albert and Vice Chair Tammy Hurt spoke to the heart of MusiCares.

In total, there were 13 performances leading up to the very special headline moment. To kick things off, fellow classic rockers Cheap Trick performed "Rats In The Cellar," from 1976's Rocks. The black-and-white suit-wearing Jonas Brothers followed up with a performance of the GRAMMY-winning classic "Crazy." After that came current GRAMMY nominees Emily King and Luis Fonsi, who gave a powerful duet of "Angel."

Tomorrow: Lizzo, Billie Eilish, Aerosmith, Gwen Stefani And Blake Shelton To Perform At The 2020 GRAMMYs

For the fourth number, GRAMMY-nominated country queen Ashley McBryde rocked a killer take of "Dude (Looks Like A Lady)" wearing a scarf-fringed leather jacket as a nod to Tyler. Before, on the red carpet, McBryde revealed she'd "been nervous all week…knowing it's for them." On stage, she oozed rock star confidence.

Fifth up was Gavin DeGraw, who started out singing 1989's "What It Takes" at the piano, but revved it up at the end as he strutted his way off the stage, offering high fives as he made his way through the audience. In a perfectly executed surprise collab moment, DeGraw found his way to Tyler's table, who offered an epic dose of "YEAHS!" to the song.

Kesha followed up that powerful performance with one of her own, singing "Janie's Got A Gun" accompanied by a string section from a second stage in the middle of the room. The 1989 song was the band's first to earn them a GRAMMY win and, as it discussed abuse, was their first socially charged anthem. Wearing a fierce black patent leather trench coat and dark locks, Kesha's power rippled through the room.

Next, first-time GRAMMY nominee Yola, accompanied by fellow 2020 nominee Gary Clark Jr. on epic electric guitar duties, belted a rendition of "Cryin'" that almost had Tyler in tears. His look of joy and amazement during the performance was definitely reflected in the rest of the audience. For the eighth act, LeeAnn Rimes, like Yola, brought gorgeously sequined, powerhouse female energy to Aerosmith's music, in the form of "Livin' On The Edge."

Read: Meet The First-Time GRAMMY Nominee: The Magnificent, Magnetic Maluma

Always a treat to witness live, soulful GRAMMY winner John Legend held the audience captive as he sang "I Don't Wanna Miss A Thing" at the piano. "It's a lot of pressure going after John Legend, seriously," Jessie J laughed, midway through her gorgeous rendition of "Home Tonight." She slayed her performance, though, and turned heads in a liquid-silver starlet dress. Following the two power-ballads, GRAMMY winner Melissa Etheridge and past nominee Nuno Bettencourt brought the rock meter back up high with "Walk This Way."

The 12th act was led by Sammy Hagar with Orianthi on guitar, who performed 1976's "Back In The Saddle." Last but not least of the epic performances were Foo Fighters, who rocked us hard with two songs, "Let The Music Do The Talking" and "Toys In The Attic," complete with Dave Grohl offering some epic screeches. "I don't know how Steven screams like that for more than one song," Grohl mused.

After a kind word from entertainment lawyer Dina LaPolt (who is Tyler's longtime attorney and helped pass the Music Modernization Act), the men of the hour finally took the stage to accept their awards. After brief thank yous and big smiles, it was finally time for Aerosmith to sing their music. They opened with "Big Ten Inch Record," their cover of Bull Moose Jackson from Toys In The Attic. In epic rock star fashion, Tyler asked for a piano and, in a few seconds, out came a grand piano as the band began to play those emotive chords of "Dream On." Shortly after the piano appeared, 2019 GRAMMY-winning guitar hero H.E.R. emerged for a truly epic duet with Tyler.

While that would've been an amazing place to end, the rock gods had a few more surprises left in store for the lucky audience. Tyler requested the audience—everyone had been seated at assigned tables—to move to the front. As the crowd got up close, he took off his long white jacket and let his dance moves free for "Sweet Emotion." For the very final song of the evening, "Same Old Song And Dance," the band was joined by fellow longtime rock icon Alice Cooper along with Hollywood Vampires bandmate Johnny Depp.

Don't forget to tune into the very big finale of the 2020 GRAMMY Week—the 62nd GRAMMY Awards tomorrow, Sun. Jan. 26 at 5 p.m. PT/ 8 p.m. ET on CBS. Stay backstage with us here at GRAMMY.com, where you can learn more about all the winners, watch acceptance speeches and select performances and tune into the Red Carpet and Premiere Ceremony live streams prior to the show.

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