Rick Dufay

Richard Marc Dufay, the son of actor Richard Ney, was born in Paris on February 2, 1952. He was married to exotic dancer Maureen Dumont Kelly who died in 2008 due to colon cancer. The couple had a daughter Minka who lived with Maureen following the couple’s separation. Minka acknowledges that despite being raised by her mother, her father Dufay being always present in her life.

Prior to his association with the American rock and roll band Aerosmith, Dufay had released ‘Tender Loving Abuse,’ an album which was produced by Aerosmith producer Jack Douglas. After Brad Whitford left the band in 1980, Douglas recommended Dufay to take the vacant position. It is safe to say that Dufay was instrumental in saving the band from fading into oblivion. In the early 1980s, the band faced a tumultuous time: their lead rhythm guitarist Brad Whitford left the band and their major vocalist Steven Taylor was gradually losing himself to drug abuse.

Dufay joined the band after the release of their album ‘Rock in a Hard Place’ and was featured on their video ‘Lightning Strikes’. He provided support to the ailing Steven Tyler and recommended that the band reunite with its former members. He suggested that Whitford return to the band and he did eventually come back in 1984. Dufay left the band subsequently and later worked with the band ‘Blue By Nature’ alongside vocalist Karen Lawrence.

He then released his second album ‘Written In Stone’, which featured Aerosmith outtake ‘Written In Stone’. After his stint with Aerosmith came to an end, Dufay never got back his career on track. He did post some solo covers on his personal websites and collaborated with other artistes on their works but failed to re-establish his reputation.

During Aerosmith's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame acceptance speech in 2001, Perry acknowledged the contribution Dufay had made for the band and his selflessness that brought the band back on track. Perry also accepted that while Dufay’s selflessness did save the band from oblivion, it became “suicidal” for his own career.