Comeback or Farewell? Guns N’ Roses, Black Crowes, and Friends Salute Aerosmith at Hollywood Bowl

During the first of their two-night “California Dream On: Aerosmith & Friends” concerts, drummer Joey Kramer played part of the set along with Dave Grohl and John Douglas The hotly anticipated “California Dream On: Aerosmith & Friends” concert at the Hollywood Bowl raised more questions than it answered when it kicked off on Friday for the first of two nights this weekend. Was the show a comeback or a farewell? Were all four members of the iconic Boston rock band — who haven’t played a full concert since September 2023 — back in the saddle following a hiatus due to vocalist Steven Tyler’s larynx injury? Or was this all-star tribute a capper to a lauded career, much like Black Sabbath’s Back to the Beginning U.K. show in 2025, a spectacular where Tyler sang three songs to a massive audience with an all-star band? No answers were forthcoming as the night concluded with literal fireworks. Fans shuffling out of the sold-out show commented on Aerosmith’s brief but brilliant closing set, saying “you take what you can get sometimes,” with the question of the band’s future “to be continued,” while one couple mused, “they sounded phenomenal.” Indeed, Aerosmith did sound phenomenal. In one-off appearances over the last few years, Tyler was seemingly in top voice each time, and Thursday night was no exception. His energy, style, drama, and humor were boundless, balanced by the stoic but vital Tom Hamilton on bass and Brad Whitford on guitar. Lauded bluesy guitar hero Joe Perry brought his Hollywood Vampires bandmate Johnny Depp onstage to play a Tiny Bradshaw tune oft-covered by the band “Train Kept a Rollin’.” But Perry needed no movie star assist; he shone, his trademark use of a Talk Box and slide with laconic playing style that suited the songs marking him as an original. The night was divided between stunning full-band sets by the Black Crowes, Guns N’ Roses, and Aerosmith. Hosted by comedian Bill Burr, the first half of the evening featured a slightly rough, if fun, revolving door of performers paying tribute to Aerosmith. Kicking off the night was fellow Boston boy Sully Erna of the band Godsmack on the early tracks “Make It” and “Lightning Strikes.” The confident, powerful singer may have offered the best (and only) summation of the evening when he welcomed the audience to “50 years” of the band’s history. Backed by core players drummer Kenny Arnoff and bassist Don Was along with Bon Jovi guitarist Phil X and journeyman guitarist Nuno Bettencourt of Extreme (another Bostonian), Erna offered up a strong start to the evening, even as he was unknown to many in the crowd. Editor’s picks Steven Tyler and Joey Kramer of Aerosmith perform onstage during California, Dream On: Aerosmith & Friends – Night 1 at the Hollywood Bowl on October 29, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Live Nation Allman Brothers/Gov’t. Mule alum Warren Haynes “testified” for Aerosmith with a propulsive version of “Lord of the Thighs,” and another song in his wheelhouse, the Rufus Thomas chestnut ‘Walkin’ the Dog,” which Aerosmith covered on their 1973 self-titled debut. Given the diverse and generally solid performances, one imagines each guest artist got to choose their own Aerosmith songs to cover. Latter-day Aerosmith fans might have been puzzled at some of the early song choices; old-school fans were thrilled. One oddity was Sammy Hagar’s version of “Helter Skelter” — featuring Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith and producer/guitarist Andrew Watt — it simply seemed out of place. Still, longtime solo artist and one-time Van Halen frontman Hagar gave it his all, as always. The Red Rocker fared better on Aerosmith’s 1977 title track “Draw the Line,” signing off his mini-set with “God Bless Aerosmith.” A definite high-point of the “jammy” first half of “Aerosmith & Friends” were Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart. The sisters are no strangers to tributes, their live Led Zeppelin homage at the then-scandal-free Kennedy Center Honors in 2012 remains one for the record books. Their take on “Janie’s Got a Gun,” a tale of child abuse and revenge, was vocally stellar, with the duo making the painful song their own in an elegant manner. Related Content The 1993 commercial hit “Livin’ on the Edge” as done by Billy Idol and Steve Stevens lacked the dynamics of the original hit, Idol’s clenched-fist bravado on full display. Likewise, country singer Eric Church, a self-proclaimed “child of the Eighties,” paid his respects via a passable rendition of “Rag Doll” and “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing,” a trite if hugely popular theme song for the 1998 film Armageddon. When the Black Crowes — who had played the Bowl in August—took the stage, the caliber of the event went up several notches, with the full-band energy commanding the crowd. Tackling rollicking Perry-penned “Let the Music do the Talking,” guitarist Rich Robinson’s slide guitar and his brother Chris’ gutsy, earthy presence and vocals brought the appropriate almost-manic energy to the song. The Crowes understood the assignment delivering the muscular 1976 cut “Nobody’s Fault,” likewise on “Chip Away the Stone,” another stellar Seventies staple, if not a hit in the chart/radio sense of the word. In 1988, Aerosmith took Guns N’ Roses on the road during the former’s Permanent Vacation tour, and then, as now, it was clear what an influence Aerosmith were, especially on Axl Rose and Slash. Oddly, GN’R didn’t play “Mama Kin,” an Aerosmith cover they’d done since GN’R’s club days. Then Rose noted, jokingly, “this is no stress” as his band dove into the gentle and beloved 1974 gem “Seasons of Wither.” In a short set, the Gunners turned in a world-class performance, seasoned by an ongoing stadium tour. In covering Aerosmith’s “Combination” and “Last Child” and delivering their own mega-hits “Welcome to the Jungle” and “Paradise City,” the one-time “most dangerous band in the world,” hasn’t lost an ounce of the hardscrabble edge that made them so enticing when Appetite for Destruction broke out. Brad Whitford, Tom Hamilton, Dave Grohl, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith perform onstage during California, Dream On: Aerosmith & Friends – Night 1 at the Hollywood Bowl on October 29, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Live Nation As the main event drew near, the audience was treated to the video of sexy-silly but undeniable “Love in an Elevator,” a reminder of the glory days of the then-powerful MTV. Life then imitated art, as off the big screen, a pair of video vixens — Steven’s daughter Liv Tyler and actress Alicia Silverstone from the cool schoolgirl “Crazy” video (which has 754 million YouTube views) — came onstage to introduce the band of the hour. Liv wondered aloud, “Are we dreaming or is this real?” It was almost surreal to see the band members looking so good, powerful, and fit. That said, many thought this show would mark the return of drummer Joey Kramer, but apparently back and heart surgeries and health issues prevented him from playing the full set. The ubiquitous Dave Grohl bashed beautifully on the iconic “Toys in the Attic,” “Back in the Saddle,” and “Sweet Emotion,” and a white grand piano was brought onstage for Tyler to play “Dream On.” Kramer, in tandem with drummer John Douglas, played on “Walk This Way.” While the two nights — Oct. 29 and Nov. 1 — may be graced by different “and more” guests, the first night saw no Run-DMC (whose 1986 collab with the band on “Walk This Way” was a genre-busting/creating success) nor members of Alice in Chains, Tom Morello, or Marcus King, who were all listed in the show’s advertising. The concert solidified the feeling that Aerosmith are a national rock ‘n’ roll treasure, one of the very few bands left who perform with all original members. Tyler’s not revealing the future of Aerosmith, or even if performances will continue past the second Aerosmith & Friends show on Nov. 1. Only time will tell. But no matter the incarnation, the Toxic Twins — the nickname well-earned by Tyler and Perry pre-sobriety — are America’s answer to Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. At the Hollywood Bowl, the crowd revered the duo as such. And judging by the nearly endless lines to purchase myriad merch, Aerosmith’s popularity has not waned. Trending Stories Perhaps the concert’s lesson is found in the lyrics of “Dream On,” which earned Number One on Rolling Stone’s Best Screams in Music History list for Tyler’s unforgettable wail. As Tyler sings of staying present: “Sing for the laughter, and sing for the tear/Sing it with me, if it’s just for today/Maybe tomorrow, the good Lord will take you away.” Aerosmith & Friends Hollywood Bowl Night One Set List“Make It” — Sully Erna, Godsmack“Lightning Strikes” — Sully Erna, Godsmack“Lord of the Thighs” — Warren Haynes“Walkin’ the Dog” — Warren Haynes“Livin’ on the Edge” — Billy Idol and Steve Stevens“Draw the Line” — Sammy Hagar“Helter Skelter” — Sammy Hagar“Never Loved a Man” — Heart“Janie’s Got a Gun” — Heart“Rag Doll” — Eric Church“I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” — Eric Church“Let the Music Do the Talking” — Black Crowes“Write Me a Letter” — Black Crowes“Combination” — Black Crowes“No More No More” — Black Crowes“Chip Away the Stone” — Black Crowes“Nobody’s Fault” — Guns N’ Roses“Last Child” — Guns N’ Roses“Seasons of Wither” — Guns N’ Roses“Welcome to the Jungle” — Guns N’ Roses“Paradise City” — Guns N’ Roses“Toys in the Attic” — Aerosmith with Dave Grohl on drums“Back in the Saddle” — Aerosmith with Dave Grohl on drums“Sweet Emotion” — Aerosmith with Dave Grohl on drums“Dream On” — Aerosmith with Dave Grohl on drums“Train Kept a Rollin’” — Aerosmith with Dave Grohl on drums, Johnny Depp on guitar“Walk This Way” — Aerosmith with Joey Kramer and John Douglas on drums