Brad Whitford

Brad Whitford
Whitford performing with Aerosmith in 2010
Background information
Birth name	Bradley Ernest Whitford
Born	(1952-02-23) February 23, 1952 (age 65) Winchester, Massachusetts
Genres	Hard rock, blues rock, heavy metal
Occupation(s)	Musician, songwriter
Instruments	Guitar, vocals
Years active	1970–present
Associated acts	Aerosmith, The Joe Perry Project, Experience Hendrix, Whitford/St. Holmes
Website	Aerosmith official site
Notable instruments
B.C. Rich Bich (made of clear acrylic) B.C. Rich Eagle Gibson Les Paul Gretsch Gibson SG

Bradley Ernest "Brad" Whitford (born February 23, 1952) is an American musician who is best known for serving as the rhythm guitarist for the hard rock band Aerosmith. He has also worked as a songwriter for the group, co-composing well-received tracks such as 1976's "Last Child".

Whitford graduated from Reading Memorial High School in 1970. After attending the Berklee College of Music, Whitford played in local bands Cymbals of Resistance, Teapot Dome, Earth, Inc., and finally a band called Justin Thyme before joining Aerosmith in 1971, replacing original guitarist Ray Tabano. Aerosmith would go on to be one of the most successful bands of the 1970s. However, following a string of less successful albums in the late 1970s, Whitford left the band in 1981 to work on his own project with singer Derek St. Holmes, simply called Whitford/St. Holmes. The project was dissolved after a sole self-titled album was released in 1981 (However, Whitford/St. Holmes reunited for a 2015 tour. A follow up CD titled "REUNION" was sold at these shows).

Whitford briefly toured with The Joe Perry Project, featuring former Aerosmith band mate Joe Perry, before both Perry and Whitford rejoined Aerosmith in 1984. In the mid-late 1980s, all band members completed drug rehabilitation, including Whitford, who completed programs to combat his alcohol abuse. Whitford remains sober to this day and continues to be an active force in Aerosmith.

Whitford also served as a producer for a well-known Boston band, The Neighborhoods, who were led by a rabid Aerosmith fan, David Minehan. When, in 1994, Whitford was forced to leave unexpectedly in the middle of an Asian tour due to family illness, Minehan was flown to Japan where he performed in Whitford's place for several days until Whitford returned.