Aerosmith icon, 76, reveals overcoming 'dark times' in rare update... years after surgery and death of 'soulmate'

At age 76, Aerosmith founding drummer Joey Kramer is feeling the best he has in 10 years after conquering 'dark times.' 

In a new interview, Joey offered a rare update on his health - which had made headlines over the years - and his love life following the death of his wife Linda Kramer in 2023. 

Joey was underwent a heart surgery in 2014, with his son filling in for him on the drumkit as he recovered. 

Now, more than 10 years later, Joey is happy to report he is feeling his best in a decade. 

'I'm feeling really good. I'm feeling better now than I've felt in, like, five or eight or 10 years,' he said during an appearance on the Live From My Drum Room show.

'The last four years for me were like a challenge, to say the least,' he said. 'But I'm happy to say I've come through 'em with flying colors. 

'I discovered the bull that really lives inside. That's what powered me through. And I'm good, man.... This is probably the best Joey of my life.'

'I appreciate people asking and being concerned. That means a lot to me, because - well, our fans mean a lot to me, because without them, we would not be.' 

Joey said he has overhauled his life after going through 'dark times.'  

'I've done pretty much a major change on how I lived, what kind of person I was, you know, 'cause I went through some dark times, like we all do. And I got through them. 

'I got through them because I had people around me that I came to realize really loved me and looked after me.'

Joey also suffered from back issues which he attributed to the 'intensity' of his decades-long drumming style. 

The interviewer noted Joey was now playing drums again after dealing with the back challenges. 

'Well, playing the drums for fifty-some years, man, and being on the road kind of really trashed my upper body, you know, playing with that kind of intensity,' he said. 'I've had some pretty consistent back problems for the last three or four years. I had some surgery done about four months ago. 

'It's just starting to really begin to heal up now, 'cause it takes that long. And, of course, I lost my wife and I had my heart surgery and a bunch of other stuff, too. I don't wanna get into.'

'But I've taken it out the other side, and it's all made me stronger, along with the fans, because I feel the support and I feel how they are when they listen to something like this. And it means the world to me... I'm proud of what we've done, and I wouldn't trade it or regret it for a minute. And we just go on from here.' 

Joey underwent an angioplasty in 2014 after developing issues with his heart. 

'It wasn’t my time. It wasn’t time for my ticket to be punched,' he said on the Eddie Trunk podcast at the time.  'And so I got fixed, and I’m back 150 percent, and everything is as good as it can possibly be.'

Joey described the procedure as a 'minor medical procedure' and his son, Jesse Sky Kramer, assumed the drumkit for him as he spent a week recovering.

The new health update comes four years after Joey lost his wife of 14 years, Linda Kramer. 

Linda died at age 55 in 2023 and her obituary laid bare the strength of their bond, referring to her as Joey's 'soulmate.' 

'Linda was the love of Joey's life. He once described meeting Linda as "the biggest rush you ever had in your life,"' it read. 'Friends and family have always noted that Joey and Linda were simply "inseparable." Linda loved Joey deeply and his wellbeing and happiness were her top priority.' 

Joey didn't go in-depth about the loss of his wife but did reveal he has since met someone new. 

'I even have a new lady in my life, and I'm as happy as can be,' he said.

Linda was Joey's second wife. They wed in 2009.  

Joey Kramer has been a member of Aerosmith since its formation in 1970.

The band formed in Boston in 1970 and had been touring for over five decades as they have had dozens of hits in the process leading to four Grammy Awards and a Rock 'N Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2001.

The band - known as 'the Bad Boys from Boston' - also broke boundaries intersecting rock and hip-hop with their epic collaboration with Run-DMC for Walk This Way.

In 2024, they announced a retirement from touring.