Viewfinder: Steven Tyler of Aerosmith in 1979

Des Plaines resident and Patch contributor Jim Barnes has been an avid music lover his entire life and frequently snapped photos of performing artists while he was attending concerts, shall we say "back in the day."

Here is the first installment in a series of photo galleries of never before published photos of bands and musicians.

Today we feature Steven Tyler, frontman of Aerosmithand now judge on American Idol performing at the now defunct International Amphitheatre, Dec. 26, 1979 in Chicago.

Tyler released a memoir about his life titled Does The Noise In My Head Bother You? and his first single as a solo artist (no Aerosmith didn't break up) Feels So Good this month. He also happens to be the May issue of Rolling Stone magazine's cover boy.

Up next in the series we'll feature Cheap Trick and coming soon RUSH.