LOS ANGELES — Aerosmith lead singer Steven Tyler and his wife of 17 years, Teresa, are separating, the singer announced Sunday.

Tyler, 56, asked the public to respect his family's privacy in a statement released through the band's publicist, Mitch Schneider.

"Before the tabloid media makes more of this than it is, I am announcing that my wife Teresa and I are currently separated," Tyler said. "We're just a family trying to work through a difficult time. A little privacy and sensitivity — for Teresa, my children and myself — would be nice."

The couple have two teenage children, Chelsea, 16, and Taj, 13.

Tyler is also the father of model Mia Tyler, 26, from a previous marriage to Cyrinda Fox, and the actress Liv Tyler, 27, from a previous relationship.