Steven Tyler quits 'American Idol'

Thursday July 12, 2012 5:05 PM By Kirthana Ramisetti

Photo credit: Fox | Steven Tyler: The Aerosmith frontman and former “American Idol” judge was born in Yonkers, where he was kicked out of Roosevelt High School for drug use.

Steven Tyler has decided to walk this way ... toward reality TV retirement. The Yonkers native announced Thursday that he is leaving “American Idol" after serving as a judge for two seasons.

The Aerosmith frontman’s celebrity co-judge, Jennifer Lopez, has been hinting that her time as an “Idol” judge is coming to an end, most recently in a "Today" show interview Thursday morning. But Tyler got the jump on her in announcing his exit from television’s most highly rated reality show.

Fox issued a news release about Tyler's news, which included a fond farewell from the star that should have Aerosmith fans excited:

“After some long ...hard ... thoughts … I’ve decided it’s time for me to let go of my mistress ‘American Idol’ before she boils my rabbit,” Tyler said. “I strayed from my first love, AEROSMITH, and I’m back – but instead of begging on my hands and knees, I’ve got two fists in the air and I’m kicking the door open with my band.

"The next few years are going to be dedicated to kicking some serious ass – the ultimate in auditory takeover … On Nov. 6, we are unleashing our new album, 'Music from Another Dimension,' on the Earth, moon, Mars and way beyond the stars … 'IDOL' was over-the-top fun, and I loved every minute of it … Now it’s time to bring Rock Back.”

Tyler joined the judging panel with Jennifer Lopez in season 10 of the show. The Hudson Buzz thinks that another Yonkers native, Mary J. Blige, would be the perfect replacement for him.

Whom do you want to join “American Idol”? Tell us what you think in the comments. 

Tags: Yonkers , Steven Tyler , American Idol , Jennifer Lopez , Mary J. Blige , TV