Two of the biggest bands in the history of rock and/or roll have recently signed up with Guitar Hero-maker Harmonix to allow their music to be used in two upcoming video games. Aerosmith is currently in the studio recording music that will be featured in Guitar Hero IV, while the Grateful Dead have licensed 18 original studio-quality recordings to be played in Rock Band.

Guitar Hero games of the past have used cover bands to save money, but as a result of awesomeness and laziness, the games are generating much more revenue, allowing Harmonix to actually use the original version of most songs.

The Grateful Dead have allowed Harmonix to use such classic songs as Sugar Magnolia, Casey Jones and Truckin’ in Rock Band, which builds on the Guitar Hero premise by allowing gamers to simulate singing, bangin’ drums, and of course, playing guitar. Other artists that have already licensed songs to Rock Band include The Who, Metallica and David Bowie. Rock Band is tentatively due to be released on November 20th. Read on after the jump for much more…

Meanwhile a recent article about Aerosmith entering the studio contains word that the band is working with Harmonix on Guitar Hero IV. According to the piece, Guitar Hero IV will be exclusively devoted to Aerosmith’s music. Joe Perry played coy when describing the band’s participation:

“I don’t know much about the technical part of it,” Perry says, “but artistically we’re working hand in hand.”

Guitar Hero III isn’t due until the end of 2007 , so we don’t imagine we’ll see Guitar Hero IV anytime before the middle of 2008.

Screenshot of Guitar Hero III via IGN

Many artists see the Guitar Hero fad as a way to earn easy money, without any of the negative connotations associated with selling their music for commercials. Getting songs on Guitar Hero or Rock Band also opens older band’s music up to new audiences. Younger video game fans who may have never heard of the Allman Brothers are becoming fans of the band after discovering Jessica on Guitar Hero II. Even Metallica, who has a history of fighting new technology, have licensed songs to Harmonix for inclusion in Rock Band.

We don’t see an end to this trend anytime soon, as Harmonix continues to come up with innovative music based video games. Add that to musicians notoriously wasteful spending habits and you have a marriage made in heaven.