Why Steven Tyler 'Loved and Hated' American Idol

Aerosmith's frontman Steven Tyler spoke out about his time on American Idol over the past two years.  The veteran rocker officially stepped down from his judge seat in July to devote more time to his "first love", Aerosmith.

In a recent interview with Rolling Stones, Tyler confessed that the Idol gig came at a time when his band wasn't quite getting along.  Rumors about Aerosmith finding a new lead singer spread like fire.  Tyler decided to take on the role as a judge for $10 million per season during the "while the storm blew by".

"I loved it and hated it.  It was a great job, I sat next to J. Lo and I made a ton of money. It was a moment in life and it became larger than life."

The hard part for Tyler was the pressure and expectations from producers to match the meanness of Simon Cowell.

Tyler and Lopez were criticized by the media and speculators as judges who were too "nice" and did not go tough enough on the contestants.

Tyler defended himself and said, "The show's about kids and what you do to nurture their talent.  They wanted me to take the piss out of the kids and I don't have that in me. That's not what I'm about. That's more about that other guy. Not me."  

Doing American Idol and getting Aerosmith back together was quite straining on the 64-year-old rocker, leaving him without much rest.  Now, he and his bandmates are going all out for their new Aerosmith album Music From Another Dimension, expected to drop November.