Why Liv Tyler and Alicia Silverstone opened Aerosmith’s Hollywood Bowl comeback
Aerosmith returned at the Hollywood Bowl after more than three years away, with Dave Grohl, Johnny Depp and Joey Kramer part of the night.
Aerosmith’s return to the stage at the Hollywood Bowl came with a pair of familiar 1990s faces before the first note was even played. More than three years after their last full concert, the band closed "California Dream On: Aerosmith and Friends" with a six song set that also featured Dave Grohl on drums, a Johnny Depp cameo and a late appearance by Joey Kramer.
The Oct. 29 event was built as a multi artist bill, with Guns N' Roses, Heart, Billy Idol, the Black Crowes and Sammy Hagar all performing before Aerosmith. After sets that ranged from one song to five songs, the headliners were introduced by Liv Tyler and Alicia Silverstone, both of whom appeared in Aerosmith videos in the 1990s.
Aerosmith opened with "Toys in the Attic" as fireworks went up over the open air venue. They followed with "Back in the Saddle" and "Sweet Emotion," beginning a set that ran six songs in all. Steven Tyler sounded strong through the opening stretch. Dave Grohl was on drums, and Tyler told the crowd Grohl had called insisting he wanted to be part of the Hollywood Bowl show. Tyler then joked that when he offered Grohl the chance to play drums for Aerosmith, Grohl said he wanted to be a roadie instead.
Tyler later sat at a white grand piano for "Dream On." One of the night's surprise pairings came next, when Johnny Depp joined Joe Perry on "The Train Kept A Rollin'," as seen in the clip below.
Before the final song, Tyler thanked the people involved in the concert and gave special mention to his bandmates Joe Perry, Tom Hamilton, Brad Whitford and Joey Kramer, saying the group was still the same band that had started 55 years earlier. Kramer then took the drum kit for "Walk This Way," his first performance with Aerosmith since 2020. Confetti filled the air during the closing song, and a large fireworks display followed after the band left the stage.
For fans hoping the return was not limited to one night, Aerosmith is scheduled to play the Hollywood Bowl again on Nov. 1.
