Steven Tyler & Joe Perry jam with Slash & Chris Robinson at The Hollywood Bowl
On the first of two nights of The Who’s The Song Is Over farewell stand at the Hollywood Bowl (Sept 17), Joe Perry turned his opening set into a classic-rock summit. Steven Tyler stormed on late for “Walk This Way” and “Train Kept A-Rollin’,” and Slash dropped in earlier for a ripping “Mama Kin.” The result: a short, electric reunion that doubled as the most convincing hint yet that one final Aerosmith event could really happen.
Quick takeaways
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Tyler sounded strong and handled two showcase numbers with swagger.
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Slash + Perry + Whitford traded riffs on “Mama Kin,” giving fans a three-guitar moment worthy of the Bowl.
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Set leaned deep-cut Aerosmith with choice Perry and cover picks.
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Context matters: Aerosmith retired from touring in 2024, but Joe Perry has kept the flame alive and keeps hinting at a one-off send-off being possible.
What happened on stage
Joe Perry’s current Joe Perry Project lineup delivered a taut, guitar-forward set, with Chris Robinson up front, Brad Whitford locking in on twin-guitar parts, Robert DeLeo on bass, Jason Sutter on drums, and Buck Johnson on keys and backing vocals. Mid-set, Slash strode out for “Mama Kin,” trading crisp, bluesy lines with Perry and Whitford. Near the end, the place erupted as Steven Tyler joined for “Walk This Way” and a swaggering “Train Kept A-Rollin’.” Robinson stayed on to bolster harmonies, and Tyler even punctuated the “Train” intro with a whistle flourish.
“This is the Joe Perry Project and we play rock ’n’ roll.” — Chris Robinson, early in the set
Full setlist — Sept 17, 2025 (Hollywood Bowl)
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Let the Music Do the Talking
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East Coast, West Coast
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Combination
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Twice as Hard
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Mama Kin (with Slash)
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Vasoline
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Get It Up
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Last Child
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Chip Away the Stone
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Walk This Way (with Steven Tyler)
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Train Kept A-Rollin’ (with Steven Tyler)
Why this matters now
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Health and history: Aerosmith halted their farewell run after Tyler’s 2023 vocal injury and formally retired from touring in 2024. Yet Perry has repeatedly said a single, special concert is still on the table. Nights like the Bowl show that the chemistry—and the demand—remain high.
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Momentum around new music: The Tyler/Perry + Yungblud collaboration is real, with a new single and an EP rollout this fall. Pair that with a show like this and you have a credible runway to a one-night celebration rather than a full tour.
Will Aerosmith tour again?
Short answer: No. Multiple recent interviews reinforce that touring is off the table. The glimmer is a one-off or filmed event. If it happens, expect meticulous pacing, a curated set, and plenty of guests.
Watch Joe Perry jam with Slash and Chris Robinson at the Hollywood Bowl
Key Takeaways
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blabbermouth.net | Blabbermouth
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ultimateclassicrock.com | Ultimate Classic Rock
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