Steven Tyler has moved to prevent the fellow members of Aerosmith from replacing him with a new singer.

Last month, guitarist Joe Perry said the group hoped to hold auditions before returning to the road in the summer.

His comments followed a tumultuous few months for the band, which reached boiling point in December when Tyler was admitted to rehab.

However, Tyler's attorney Skip Miller has written to Aerosmith's management calling for them to halt their search.

In the letter - obtained by Billboard - Miller asked them to "immediately cease and desist from engaging in acts and conduct to the harm and detriment of your own client, Aerosmith, and our client who is one of its members”.

He also said Tyler reserved his right to pursue “legal action for damages and other appropriate relief”.

A meeting of Aerosmith's “shareholders” will take place on February 9 to discuss the band's future album and tour plans, he added.

The band's future has been uncertain ever since Tyler was injured on stage last summer, prompting the cancellation of their US tour.

The singer later returned to the stage, but entered rehab in December for treatment to an addiction to painkillers.

At the time, Tyler vowed to return to Aerosmith once fully recovered.

(by Jason Gregory)