Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler thanks fans for saving his life

Washington: Aerosmith star Steven Tyler has credited his fans, doctors, and guardian `angel` for saving his life, after a nasty tumble at a concert earlier this month. The veteran rocker was airlifted to Rapid City Hospital after falling off the stage, while performing at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota on August 5.

He broke his left shoulder and needed 20 stitches on the back of his head, which made the band to cancel the remainder of its summer tour. Now, speaking in a lengthy statement, released on Thursday, Tyler has explained the accident and praised those who saved his life. He said that the gig first took a turn for the worse when thunderstorms caused an hour-long delay, and audio systems malfunctioned shortly after the band took to the stage. "Well, I wasn’t gonna go hide under the big top and play ``ROCK STAR`` and wait for everything to be fixed. I wanted to go out to the crowd to continue the show,” Contactmusic quoted him as saying. He added: "I was doing the Tyler shuffle and then I zigged when I should have zagged... AND I slipped, and as I live on the edge... I fell off the edge!" The 61-year-old musician thanked fans for their "love and support" and heaped praise on the police department and helicopter operators "for getting me outta there before I bled to death". He also acknowledged the doctors and nurses who looked after him as well as "the angel on my shoulder". ANI