Steven Tyler Quits American Idol

Steven Tyler announced today that he is leaving as judge of American Idol.

According to his release statement, Tyler says,

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,  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.

Tyler went on to say that he's going to spend the next few years

kicking some serious ass -- the ultimate in auditory takeover.

He ends by plugging the new Aerosmith album, Music from Another Dimension, and adding,

Idol was over-the-top fun, and I loved every minute of it…Now it’s time to bring Rock Back.

American Idol creative and executive producer Simon Fuller said in a statement,

I completely understand Steven's desire to get back to his life as the singer in America's greatest-ever rock band. American Idol will miss him!

Jennifer Lopez and Randy Jackson are still judges on the show as of this moment, though J-Lo mused Thursday morning on NBC's Today show that it "may be time" for her to go.