Steven Tyler Wows Crowd with Acoustic Set at Rome’s Iconic Colosseum

Whenever “Walk This Way” plays, my mind instantly flashes to the legendary Run DMC collaboration video. The unforgettable moment when Steven Tyler breaks through a studio wall with his microphone stand to join the rap group next door is iconic. But now, there’s another scene that might pop into my head: Tyler performing live at Rome’s Colosseum in 2017, supported by an orchestra, with two cellists passionately playing to replicate the song’s famous guitar riff.

Still, I suspect the first image will remain dominant. In “It’s About Relationships: Building a Life that Matters,” Jimmy Walker recounts a fascinating story about Tyler’s performance at the Colosseum. This event was organized by Andrea Bocelli for Celebrity Fight Night in Rome, a charity initiative co-founded by Walker. Celebrity Fight Night has successfully raised over $132 million for charity, supporting various causes.

Here’s the Tyler performance clip:

Walker recalls a small but memorable detail: as Tyler enters the Colosseum, he is seen chewing gum. Just before starting Aerosmith’s hit “Dream On” on Elton John’s piano, Tyler casually sticks his gum underneath it. Walker humorously notes that Elton John would probably not be too pleased with this gesture. Now, whenever I hear “Dream On” or “Walk This Way,” I’ll likely remember Tyler’s gum antics along with the music.

The cellists accompanying Tyler were Luka Šulić and Stjepan Hauser of 2CELLOS. They joined him not just for “Dream On” and “Walk This Way,” but also for other pieces, including the “Game of Thrones” theme and “Funiculi Funicula” with Bocelli. A fan who watched the concert, broadcast on Rai1 TV, praised the event for its energy and the unique collaboration between Tyler and the cellists.

Here’s another highlight from the event:

This performance was part of the grand finale of the Celebrity Gala at the Colosseum, where Tyler and Bocelli delivered a powerful rendition of “Imagine.” The performance featured David Foster on piano, with Sharon Stone and other celebrities like Renato Zero and Zara also joining the stage.

The 2017 Colosseum concert was a significant event during the week-long Celebrity Fight Night in Rome. It was designed to entertain charitable donors and special guests, including Sharon Stone and Antonio Banderas. The event, as reported by Wanted In Rome, offered a luxurious experience with VIP dinners and private concerts in Rome’s stunning settings, all for a donation of €70,000.

Yet, I can’t help but wonder how long Tyler’s gum stayed stuck under Elton John’s piano.