On February 2, Steven Tyler returned to the stage at the 2025 Janie’s Fund Grammy Viewing Party benefit, performing for the first time since Aerosmith announced its retirement from touring in August 2024 because of the singer’s ongoing vocal issues.
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At the event, dubbed the “Jam for Janie,” Tyler sang four Aerosmith classics and two covers with accompaniment from a band that included Extreme guitarist Nuno Bettencourt and ex-Guns N’ Roses drummer Matt Sorum. Tyler also was joined by several guest singers and musicians, including Lainie Wilson, The Black Crowes’ Chris Robinson, Aerosmith bassist Tom Hamilton, and Fleetwood Mac Drummer Mick Fleetwood.
Tyler’s performance got Aerosmith fans excited about the possibility that the legendary singer could tour again after all. In a new interview with New York radio station WBAB, though, Sorum, who served as musical director of the star-studded performance, said he doesn’t believe Steven will ever hit the road again.
Will Steven Tyler Tour Again? “No, He’s Not,” Says Sorum
“Let me just explain what’s happening with Steven Tyler, ’cause he’s a really good friend,” Sorum told WBAB’s Joe Rock. “[The Janie’s Fund benefit performance] was a really big moment for him, because he hurt himself bad. Now, is he gonna tour again? No, he’s not. Because … Steven cannot put himself under the rigors of doing a full worldwide tour, because there’s a lot of pressure. And if you’re not a singer, you wouldn’t understand what he goes through, but he’s 77 years old and he’s a perfectionist. And if he doesn’t sing correctly, it bothers him.”
Matt also noted that Tyler won’t want to be recorded if his voice isn’t up to par. He added that Steven also won’t change the keys of Aerosmith songs to make them easier for him to sing.
Sorum on Whether Tyler Might Do More One-Off Performances
Sorum added that he respects Steven Tyler’s attitude about not wanting to perform if he’s unable to meet his standards.
Matt noted, “He’s, like, ‘I’m an artist. I’m a singer. This is my band. I’ve been doing this for 50 years. And if I can’t do it perfect, I can’t do it.’”
That being said, Sorum pointed out that Tyler may be open to doing more performances like the Janie’s Fund benefit.
“I talked to him about it multiple times,” Matt shared. “I said, ‘So, just sing four or five songs tops.’ He says, ‘I can do that.’ And that was just one time. Maybe down the line, he’ll do it again and possibly do the same amount of songs. But it’s a lot of pressure for a guy like him.”
More About the “Jam for Janie” Performance
The Janie’s Fund Grammy Viewing Party was held at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles. The “Jam for Janie” performance was basically a concert by Kings of Chaos, the all-star collective led by Sorum that features a rotating cast of musicians and singers. Before Tyler hit the stage, the show featured performances by Linda Perry, Marcus King, Billy Idol, and Joan Jett.
Tyler sang Extreme’s “More Than Words” and the Aerosmith gem “Toys in the Attic” with Bettencourt. Wilson then joined Steven for Aerosmith’s signature power ballad “Dream On.” Robinson then hit the stage for versions of Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love” and Aerosmith’s “Sweet Emotion.” The show ended with the evening’s ensemble joining Tyler for a rousing rendition of Aerosmith’s “Walk This Way.”
The event raises money for the Janie’s Fund, a charity Tyler co-founded that assists girls and young women who have suffered abuse and neglect. In the wake of the devastating Southern California wildfires, this year’s benefit also is supporting the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation and the Widows, Orphans, and Disabled Firefighter’s Fund.
Sorum on Being Asked to Help Organize the Janie’s Fund Performance
In the interview, Sorum revealed that Tyler had asked him to organize the 2025 “Jam for Janie.”
“He called me and said, ‘Matt, can you help me?’” Sorum recalled. “And I said, ‘I’ll do whatever you need.’ So I put everything together.”
As for how he felt about Tyler asking him to organize the show, Matt said, “I’m so honored. And he’s such an iconic guy. And I feel like, as a guy that’s been in a band his whole life, he wanted that feeling of having a collaborator on this and a bandmate, and he chose me. I was, like, ‘Okay.’ For two months, we talked every day.”
More About Tyler’s Vocal Injury and Aerosmith’s Touring Retirement
Aerosmith was just three shows into its Peace Out farewell tour in September 2023 when the band had to postpone the trek because Tyler had seriously injured his vocal cords.
After initially canceling and then rescheduling a series of dates for the trek, Aerosmith announced on August 2, 2024, that all shows were officially canceled for good.
The statement explained that regarding Tyler’s vocal injury, “a full recovery … is not possible.”
The 2025 “Jam for Janie” event marked Steven’s first significant live performance since Aerosmith’s last concert in September 2023. In May 2024, Tyler did join The Black Crowes to sing Aerosmith’s “Mama Kin” at the band’s show in London.
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