[j_tull]

they should be singularly credited with reviving the careers of Aerosmith

You did preface this with IMHO, however, it seems quite an overstatement.

[demosthenes the elder]

"...however, it seems quite an overstatement."
Actually, I seem to remember Steven Tyler saying essentially this very thing in an interview a few years ago.
I was never very into rap of any sort, but I have heard nothing bad/criminal/vile about RunDMC

[RightOnline]

As a LONG time Aerosmith fan, I must point out that their careers were over.........due to excessive drug use more than anything else...........when Run DMC's rap mix of "Walk This Way" hit the airwaves. It was such a smash hit that it allowed for Aerosmith's reemergence on the rock scene. Of course, their management spent a fortune running all of 'em through rehab......and even then they literally had to audition to get a recording contract (their reputations had been sullied by years of drug-induced sloppy performances, etc., etc.; they had to prove themselves worthy of such significant record company investment).

I've seen interviews where Tyler and Perry will point out the release of Run DMC's remix as a true turning point in their lives as well as their careers.