Steven Tyler Turns 70: Psychedelic Portraits Painted by Peter Max

 Steven Tyler was a muse for Peter Max's when he painted and presented his color-burst portraits of the Aerosmith frontman in 1997 at that Boston art gallery. Max says "I've loved Steven, Aerosmith, and their music forever. Steven has the most amazing voice, charisma, humanity, energy, and humor. Not only is he a powerful and mesmerizing performer but he is a kind and warm person. And he has such a wit. I'll never forget when I unveiled my series of portraits of him to him at a gallery in his hometown of Boston. Looking at the portraits, he said without missing a beat, 'Wow, I've never been so well hung!' We both couldn't stop laughing."

Years later, Mr. Tyler was presented with another vibrant, colorful portrait that Max had painted of the beloved 'American Idol' judge. The cast of "American Idol' presented the portrait of Tyler live and on the air for his birthday.

Peter Max has always been inspired by musicians and paints to rock and jazz in his New York City studio. Acclaimed for his bold, cosmic art that captured the spirit of the '60s and '70s and for his colorful, expressionist paintings that he creates to this day including portraits and celebrity commissions, Max has been the official artist for six GRAMMY Awards, five Super Bowls, the NHL All-Star Game, the U.S. Winter Olympics, World Cup USA, the Indy 500, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, NBC's 'The Voice' singing show and many other notable events in sports, global initiatives and music. 

Max's portraits have honored U.S. Presidents, foreign dignitaries, rock stars and jazz musicians, movie stars and sports icons. Max’s impressive resume goes far beyond his world-famous bold, colorful artwork, as he is acknowledged for his global charity work – being an active environmentalist and defender of animal and human rights, and for helping to bring yoga to the United States by co-founding the Integral Yoga Institute with Swami Satchidinada.