Aerosmith plays 45-minute, 6-song Hollywood Bowl comeback set

Aerosmith completed a 45-minute, 6-song closing set at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on 29 October 2026, Billboard said. The California Dream On: Aerosmith and Friends concert was the band’s first full performance since singer Steven Tyler’s 2023 vocal injury interrupted its planned farewell tour.

Tyler was diagnosed with a fractured larynx in September 2023, just 3 dates into the Peace Out farewell tour. Aerosmith announced initial postponements on 11 September 2023 after he damaged his vocal cords, then delayed the tour until 2024 as the injury proved more serious. On 2 August 2024, the band canceled its remaining dates and retired from touring because Tyler had been unable to recover.

Grohl on drums, Kramer back for the finale

Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl played drums for most of the set alongside Tyler, guitarists Joe Perry and Brad Whitford, and bassist Tom Hamilton. They performed “Toys in the Attic,” “Back in the Saddle,” “Sweet Emotion” and “Dream On.” Actor Johnny Depp joined on guitar for “Train Kept a Rollin’.”

Founding drummer Joey Kramer had been on hiatus after first taking a health-related break in 2020. The band’s farewell-tour announcement had said he would miss that tour to focus on his family and health.

Before the finale, Tyler celebrated about 55 years with his longtime bandmates, calling their history “what a ride,” Billboard said, citing Variety. Kramer then walked out, hugged Tyler and sat behind his drum kit alongside John Douglas, the band’s drum technician who had filled in during Kramer’s absence. They closed with “Walk This Way.”

Guests perform Aerosmith’s songs

Guns N’ Roses paired Aerosmith covers, including “Nobody’s Fault,” with their own “Welcome to the Jungle” and “Paradise City.” The Black Crowes also drew from Aerosmith’s catalog, while Heart performed “Janie’s Got a Gun” and country singer Eric Church sang “Rag Doll” and “I Don’t Want to Miss A Thing.”

Sammy Hagar performed “Draw the Line.” Billy Idol and guitarist Steve Stevens covered “Livin’ on the Edge,” while Warren Haynes and Sully Erna also performed songs from Aerosmith’s repertoire.

Another concert, but no confirmed final farewell

Host and comedian Bill Burr called the engagements “the final two shows in Aerosmith’s history,” Billboard said, citing Variety. Aerosmith has not confirmed whether these are its final performances.

In comments to Boston public radio station WBUR published by MusicRadar on 14 August 2025, Perry distinguished touring from a possible individual show. He said Tyler did not want to tour and could not tour, while he believed another Aerosmith performance remained possible.

The second California Dream On: Aerosmith and Friends concert is scheduled at the Hollywood Bowl for 1 November 2026. Aerosmith’s official announcement includes Run-DMC, Jerry Cantrell, Pat Monahan, Marcus King and Tom Morello among the event’s guests. Billboard suggested they could appear at the second show, but the band says lineups vary by night. Final nightly lineups will be announced at or near showtime and remain subject to change.