Aerosmith’s Last Hurrah: The Band’s Final Concert and the Unexpected Retirement
On September 9, 2023, Aerosmith took the stage at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, marking the beginning of their Peace Out farewell tour. Little did the band know that this show would be their last. The tour had only just launched, with the first show taking place on September 2 in Philadelphia, which was met with rave reviews. The excitement was palpable, and the crowd was eager to witness the legendary rock band perform for the final time.
A Night to Remember
The show began with a video history of the band playing on the big screens, followed by Steven Tyler and the gang emerging from underneath the stage to launch into their opening number, "Back in the Saddle." The second song of the night was a cover, as Aerosmith delivered their version of the Rufus Thomas song "Walking the Dog" for the first time on the tour (they originally covered the track on their 1977 LP Draw the Line).
The hits kept coming, with the soaring power of "Livin’ on the Edge" giving way to the gradual build of "Janie’s Got a Gun." Power ballads such as "Cryin’" and "I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing" were sprinkled throughout the night, offering a change of pace from more raucous tunes like "Love in an Elevator" and "Sweet Emotion."
How Did Aerosmith’s Final Concert End?
After briefly exiting the stage following their 16th song of the night, "Toys in the Attic," Aerosmith returned for an encore. The band rocked through renditions of two of their biggest hits, "Dream On" and "Walk This Way," the latter of which featured a piece of Led Zeppelin’s "Whole Lotta Love" mixed in for good measure.
As fate would have it, the final song of the night wasn’t even an Aerosmith track. The group performed "Happy Birthday to You" and brought out a giant chocolate cake to celebrate guitarist Joe Perry’s 73rd birthday, which was the following day.
A Sudden Injury and Unexpected Retirement
Though the show seemed to be a huge success, something happened during the performance that would change the course of Aerosmith’s history. Unfortunately, Steven Tyler’s voice was seriously injured during the set. Two days later, he would announce to the world that he had "sustained vocal cord damage" which "led to subsequent bleeding." Tyler was initially told to rest for 30 days, but when his voice still hadn’t healed, the entire farewell tour was pushed into 2024.
Since that September 9 show, Tyler and his medical team have worked tirelessly to get one of the most distinctive voices in rock history back in shape. For a long time, it seemed like the injury would simply be a bump in the road, a footnote in the tale of Aerosmith’s grand farewell. A surprise appearance at a Black Crowes concert in May marked Tyler’s return to the stage, and rescheduled tour dates gave fans everywhere the impression that Aerosmith was ready to rock once more.
Conclusion
Unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to be. On August 2, 2024 – roughly six weeks before they were scheduled to return to touring – Aerosmith announced they would retire from the road for good. "Steven’s voice is an instrument like no other," the band noted in their message to fans. "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. We have made a heartbreaking and difficult, but necessary, decision — as a band of brothers — to retire from the touring stage."
FAQs
Q: What happened to Steven Tyler’s voice during the final concert?
A: Steven Tyler’s voice was seriously injured during the set, leading to subsequent bleeding.
Q: How long did the band have to wait before announcing their retirement?
A: Roughly six weeks after their initial announcement to reschedule tour dates, Aerosmith announced their retirement.
Q: Why did Aerosmith decide to retire from touring?
A: Despite medical treatment, it became clear that a full recovery from Steven Tyler’s vocal injury was not possible.
Q: What is the future of Aerosmith?
A: Although they have retired from touring, Aerosmith will continue to create music and possibly perform in the future, albeit in a limited capacity.
Q: How does the retirement of Aerosmith impact their legacy?
A: Aerosmith’s sudden retirement does nothing to dampen their powerful history of performances spanning more than 50 years. Their legacy remains eternal.
