Johnny Depp was among the special guests during Aerosmith’s return to the Hollywood Bowl, stepping out mid‑set to play guitar alongside Joe Perry, his bandmate from Hollywood Vampires.
Perry, 76, introduced Depp, 63, to huge cheers, with frontman Steven Tyler, 78, laughing as he told the crowd at night one of California, Dream On: Aerosmith and Friends
that the actor was “here, in living colour.”
The Edward Scissorhands star played guitar on Train Kept A‑Rollin’, to huge applause.
The cameo came before the final performance of the night, Walk This Way.
Foo Fighters and Nirvana legend Dave Grohl, 57, was on drums for every song other than Walk This Way.
The star-packed show had many surprises. Tyler’s daughter, Liv Tyler, 49, and actress Alicia Silverstone, 50, walked onstage after their iconic 1994 Crazy video was played on giant screens. Liv joked: “That was us in the video, in case you didn’t know.” Silverstone added: “Liv, we were just little babies. And tonight we brought our little babies. And Liv is the actual baby of Steven Tyler.” Liv looked out at the crowd and asked: “Are we dreaming? Is this real? How great is this?”
Elsewhere, Heart’s Ann and Nancy Wilson, 76 and 72, respectively, delivered one of the evening’s standout moments. Ann teased: “Who says Aerosmith never did any good covers?” before belting out Never Loved a Girl, Aerosmith’s version of the Aretha Franklin classic. They also put their own spin on 1989’s Janie’s Got a Gun.
The Black Crowes also paid tribute, with frontman Chris Robinson, 59, recalling how Aerosmith supported them early on by taking them on their first arena tour.
He said: “Besides loving the band, we’re grateful for that.”
Towards the end of the show, Tyler showed some love to founding drummer Joey Kramer, 76, who was back in the saddle after several years.
Addressing the crowd before they exited the stage, Tyler said: “Before we say good night, I just want to say what a ride it’s been with my brothers.
“It’s been 55 years. And we’re the same band that started 55 and a half years ago.”
Guns N’ Roses’ Axl Rose and Slash played their own set and tipped the hat by performing Aerosmith’s Nobody’s Fault, Last Child and Seasons of Wither, alongside Welcome to the Jungle and Paradise City.
Aerosmith return for a second Hollywood Bowl show on Sunday (01.11.26).