Aerosmith is getting back in the saddle, at least for two unforgettable nights.
The legendary Boston rock band has announced two special performances at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on October 29 and November 1, 2026. The concerts mark a remarkable return for the group, which announced its retirement from touring in 2024 following Steven Tyler’s serious vocal injury.
Billed as “California, Dream On: Aerosmith & Friends,” the shows will celebrate the band’s extraordinary career with an all-star lineup of musicians spanning several generations of rock music.
Among the announced guests are The Black Crowes, Run-D.M.C., Heart, Billy Idol, Sammy Hagar, Eric Church, Slash, Duff McKagan, and Tom Morello. Additional performers include Jerry Cantrell and Mike Inez of Alice in Chains, Chad Smith of Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nuno Bettencourt of Extreme, Marcus King, Pat Monahan of Train, and Sully Erna of Godsmack.
Veteran producer and musician Don Was will serve as music director for the concerts. The lineup of guest performers will vary between the two nights, with additional surprises anticipated. The announcement comes after a difficult chapter in Aerosmith’s history. In September 2023, Tyler suffered a fractured larynx during the band’s Peace Out farewell tour, forcing the cancellation of upcoming performances.
Despite efforts to recover, the injury ultimately led Aerosmith to announce in August 2024 that it would permanently retire from touring. The decision brought an unexpected end to a live performance career that had stretched across more than five decades. Since then, Tyler has made occasional appearances at special musical events, fueling hopes that the band might eventually reunite for select performances. The Hollywood Bowl concerts now offer that opportunity, although Aerosmith has not announced plans to resume regular touring or schedule additional shows.
The guest lineup also reflects the band’s lasting influence across musical genres. Run-D.M.C. holds a particularly important place in Aerosmith’s history, having collaborated with the group on the groundbreaking 1986 remake of “Walk This Way,” a recording that helped bridge the worlds of rock and hip-hop. With a catalog featuring classics such as “Dream On,” “Sweet Emotion,” “Walk This Way,” “Crazy,” and “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing,” Aerosmith has remained one of rock music’s most recognizable and influential acts.
Ticket presales begin October 8 for Citi cardmembers, followed by an Aero Force One fan club presale on October 9. General public ticket sales open October 10 at 10 a.m. Pacific. For fans who believed Aerosmith’s final chapter had already been written, these two Hollywood Bowl concerts represent an unexpected encore. Whether the performances lead to more appearances remains uncertain. For now, one of America’s most celebrated rock bands is preparing to return to the stage, surrounded by an impressive collection of musical friends.
