Two years after telling fans his voice would never fully recover, Steven Tyler climbed a ladder at the Hollywood Bowl on October 5, 2026, and started arranging letters on the venue’s marquee. The message: “Aerosmith & Friends.” The dates: October 29 and November 1.
The video, posted by Aerosmith’s official channels, shows Tyler working alongside longtime rock photographer Ross Halfin. At one point, Tyler asks Halfin for an ampersand and says, “It’s Aerosmith and Friends, Ross… Aerosmith and Friends!”
Full details are expected on Tuesday, October 6, at 7 a.m. PT / 10 a.m. ET.
If confirmed, the Hollywood Bowl shows would mark Aerosmith’s first live performances in more than three years. The band has not played a full concert since September 2023, when Tyler fractured his larynx during the third show of their Peace Out farewell tour. That injury forced the cancellation of the remaining dates, and in August 2024, the band announced they were retiring from touring entirely.
But Tyler, now 78, has been quietly rebuilding his voice. Over the past year, he has sung at benefit concerts, award shows, and guest appearances with increasing confidence. Guitarist Joe Perry said in an April 2026 interview that Tyler had “started to get comfortable with singing” in the previous six months and that the band was open to performing again.
The retirement, it seems, was never meant to be permanent.
Steven Tyler Vocal Cord Update: From Fractured Larynx to the Hollywood Bowl
Tyler’s vocal injury occurred on September 9, 2023, during Aerosmith’s Peace Out farewell tour at UBS Arena on Long Island, New York. It was only the band’s third show of the run. Tyler sustained vocal cord damage that led to bleeding, and he was immediately placed on a 30-day singing ban by his doctors.
Days later, the situation worsened. Aerosmith announced that the injury was “more serious than initially thought.” In addition to the damaged vocal cords, Tyler had fractured his larynx, a structural injury to the voice box that requires extended care and carries a real risk of permanent damage.
The Peace Out tour was first postponed, then rescheduled for 2024. But on August 2, 2024, the band issued a statement that caught fans off guard. They said Tyler’s voice could not make a full recovery, and they were retiring from touring.
“As you know, Steven’s voice is an instrument like no other,” the statement read. “He has spent months tirelessly working on getting his voice to where it was before his injury. We’ve seen him struggling despite having the best medical team by his side. Sadly, it is clear that a full recovery from his vocal injury is not possible.”
That announcement was widely treated as the end of Aerosmith’s live career. But Tyler did not stop trying to sing.
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Tyler’s Singing Appearances Since the Retirement Announcement
Despite the retirement declaration, Tyler has made a series of live singing appearances since mid-2025 that have gradually shifted the conversation from “will he ever sing again” to “how much can he still do.”
Here is a timeline of his key performances:
- April 30, 2025: Tyler and Joe Perry performed together for the first time in nearly two years at a private benefit concert for Janie’s Fund in San Francisco. Tyler founded Janie’s Fund to support girls and young women who have experienced trauma.
- July 5, 2025: Tyler appeared as a surprise guest at the Back to the Beginning concert in Birmingham, England, a farewell event for Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath. He performed “Walk This Way” and a cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love.”
- September 7, 2025: Tyler and Perry performed together at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena, joining Yungblud for a tribute to Ozzy Osbourne. They performed Osbourne’s classic power ballad “Mama, I’m Coming Home.”
- September 17, 2025: Tyler joined the Joe Perry Project as a surprise guest when the band opened for The Who at the Hollywood Bowl. He sang three songs with Perry.
- February 1, 2026: Tyler performed a six-song set at his seventh annual Jam for Janie Grammy Awards Viewing Party at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles. He joined Yungblud onstage for “Back in the Saddle.”
Each of these appearances showed Tyler’s voice in a different state of recovery. None of them were full-length Aerosmith concerts. But the trajectory was clear: he was singing more, singing longer, and sounding stronger with each outing.
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What Joe Perry Said About Tyler’s Recovery in April 2026
The most detailed public update on Tyler’s vocal condition came from Perry in an April 2026 interview with Billboard.
Perry described a long, careful rehabilitation process. He said Tyler had to take a full year off from singing after the injury before he could even begin stretching his vocal cords again. He also acknowledged the constant concern about reinjury.
“It’s just been in the last six months that Steven’s started to get comfortable with singing,” Perry said. “He literally had to take a year off before he was able to start stretching his vocal cords, and you’re always worried about reinjuring it.”
Perry was cautious about making promises. He said the band was “still kind of definitely not in touring mode, but there are certainly other options.” He added, “You just never know.”
That interview, combined with Tyler’s increasing performance schedule, suggested that a limited comeback was being discussed behind the scenes. The Hollywood Bowl tease, coming six months after Perry’s comments, appears to be the result of those conversations.
The “Aerosmith & Friends” Format and What It Could Mean
The marquee reads “Aerosmith & Friends,” not simply “Aerosmith.” That wording may be significant.
&…. all will be revealed tomorrow. 7 am pt. https://t.co/JSr0Tj3t2W
— Aerosmith (@Aerosmith) October 5, 2026
A “& Friends” format typically signals a concert event that includes guest performers alongside the main act. This format would give Aerosmith flexibility. Tyler could share vocal duties with guest artists, reducing the strain on his voice during a full-length show. It could also allow the band to bring in collaborators from their recent recording work, including Yungblud, who co-wrote and co-performed on the One More Time EP.
A spokesperson for Aerosmith confirmed to The Rock Revival that all five members of the band are involved with the project, including guitarist Brad Whitford, bassist Tom Hamilton, and drummer Joey Kramer. Kramer had previously stepped back from the Peace Out tour to focus on family and health matters.
Whether “Aerosmith & Friends” means a traditional concert with guest appearances or a more collaborative, variety-show format remains to be seen. Tuesday’s announcement is expected to clarify the lineup, ticket information, and the structure of the shows.
The One More Time EP Showed Tyler Could Still Record
While the live comeback has been the bigger headline, Tyler had already proven he could still work in a studio. In November 2025, Aerosmith released One More Time, a five-track EP recorded in collaboration with British artist Yungblud (Dominic Harrison).
The EP featured four new original songs and a 2025 remix of the 1977 classic “Back in the Saddle.” Tyler and Yungblud shared vocal duties across every track, with Perry’s guitar driving the sound.
The project debuted at No. 9 on the Billboard 200, giving Aerosmith a Top 10 album in six consecutive decades, a feat matched by only four other acts: Paul McCartney, the Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, and James Taylor. It also topped four Billboard album charts, including Top Rock & Alternative Albums.
The lead single, “My Only Angel,” debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Hard Rock Songs chart and remained in the Top 10 for three weeks.
Perry told Billboard that he was immediately impressed with Yungblud: “I just got a vibe, ‘This kid’s got it.’ He definitely has an energy, and he loves rock ‘n’ roll.”
The EP proved two things: Tyler’s voice could still hold up in a controlled studio setting, and the public appetite for new Aerosmith music remained strong.
Why the Hollywood Bowl Matters for This Comeback
The Hollywood Bowl is not a random venue for Aerosmith. The outdoor amphitheater in Los Angeles seats approximately 17,500 people and is one of the most iconic concert venues in the United States. Aerosmith has a long history there, including previous performances that date back decades.
The venue also carries personal significance. Tyler joined the Joe Perry Project at the Hollywood Bowl in September 2025 for a surprise guest performance. That show, opening for The Who, was one of the first clear signals that Tyler was ready to sing in front of a large audience again.
Returning to the same venue for a headlining event less than 14 months later would close a symbolic circle.
The outdoor setting also offers practical advantages for a singer managing a vocal injury. Open-air venues are generally less acoustically demanding than enclosed arenas, and the Southern California climate in late October provides mild, dry conditions.
Two shows, rather than a full tour, is also a deliberate choice. It limits the physical demand on Tyler while still giving fans an opportunity to see the band live. If the shows go well, they could serve as a proof of concept for additional dates in the future.
Aerosmith’s Career at a Glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1970, Boston, Massachusetts |
| Members | Steven Tyler (vocals), Joe Perry (guitar), Brad Whitford (guitar), Tom Hamilton (bass), Joey Kramer (drums) |
| Rock and Roll Hall of Fame | Inducted 2001 |
| Grammy Awards | 4 wins |
| Notable songs | “Dream On,” “Walk This Way,” “Sweet Emotion,” “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing,” “Love in an Elevator,” “Janie’s Got a Gun” |
| Last full concert | September 9, 2023 (UBS Arena, New York) |
| Retirement announced | August 2, 2024 |
| Most recent release | One More Time EP with Yungblud (November 2025, No. 9 Billboard 200) |
| Teased comeback | October 5, 2026 (Hollywood Bowl, October 29 and November 1) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the latest update on Steven Tyler’s vocal cord injury?
Tyler fractured his larynx and damaged his vocal cords in September 2023. After a year of rest and rehabilitation, he has gradually returned to performing. In April 2026, Joe Perry said Tyler had been “getting comfortable with singing” in the previous six months. Tyler has since performed at multiple benefit concerts and award shows, and Aerosmith teased two Hollywood Bowl shows for October 29 and November 1, 2026.
Is Aerosmith coming back?
On October 5, 2026, Aerosmith teased two shows at the Hollywood Bowl under the name “Aerosmith & Friends” for October 29 and November 1. Full details are expected on October 6. All five band members are reportedly involved. This would be their first live performance since September 2023.
What is the “Aerosmith & Friends” event?
The format has not been fully explained. A video shows Tyler putting the words “Aerosmith & Friends” on the Hollywood Bowl marquee alongside two dates. The “& Friends” label suggests guest performers may join the band. Details are expected on Tuesday, October 6, at 7 a.m. PT / 10 a.m. ET.
Did Aerosmith retire from touring?
Yes. On August 2, 2024, the band announced they were retiring from touring because Tyler’s vocal injury had not fully healed. However, Tyler has continued to sing at benefit events and award shows, and the Hollywood Bowl tease suggests the retirement may not be permanent.
What is the One More Time EP?
One More Time is a five-song EP released in November 2025 by Aerosmith in collaboration with British artist Yungblud. It debuted at No. 9 on the Billboard 200, making Aerosmith only the fifth act with a Top 10 album in six consecutive decades. The lead single “My Only Angel” hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Hard Rock Songs chart.
How old is Steven Tyler?
Steven Tyler was born on March 26, 1948. He is 78 years old.
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