On October 29th, 2026 at The Hollywood Bowl
Last Thursday night was a full-circle moment for me. What started as an eleven-year-old kid sitting in his neighbor’s house in Duxbury, Massachusetts, waiting for our new local heroes, Aerosmith, and their brand-new song, “Dream On,” to come on the radio, came full circle with this 63-year-old man sitting at the Hollywood Bowl, watching those same five guys perform what may very well have been one of their final shows together with the original lineup. Aerosmith & Friends: California Dream On was a two-night celebration of the storied career of arguably one of the greatest American rock-and-roll bands of all time.
There was no shortage of friends on hand to help them celebrate. Hosted by comedian Bill Burr, the evening featured an incredible lineup of special guests, including Sammy Hagar, Nuno Bettencourt, Billy Idol, Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart, Sully Erna (Godsmack), Warren Haynes, and Eric Church. Each took the stage to deliver their own interpretations of Aerosmith classics and deep cuts.
As if all that wasn't enough, the guest performances were followed by jaw-dropping sets from The Black Crowes and Guns N' Roses, each delivering five songs before it was finally time for the main event.
Aerosmith took the stage and wasted no time getting the crowd on its feet, opening with “Toys in the Attic” and rolling right into “Back in the Saddle.” Dave Grohl handled the drums for most of the six-song set. The next-to-last song, “Train Kept A-Rollin’,” featured a surprise guest: Joe Perry's friend and Hollywood Vampires bandmate, Johnny Depp, who joined in on rhythm guitar.
The final song of the night brought a mixture of cheers and tears as Steven Tyler introduced original drummer Joey Kramer, who joined the band's most recent touring drummer, John Douglas, for an emotional performance of “Walk This Way.”
As the crowd filed out under a spectacular display of fireworks into the dark Hollywood night, I couldn't help but reflect on what an incredible evening it had been. It was more than just a concert. It was a chance for this old man to see one of his all-time favorite bands one last time. And for that, I'll always be grateful.