Steven Tyler Captivates Crowd with Acoustic Performance at Rome’s Colosseum

Every time “Walk This Way” plays, my mind instantly recalls the iconic Run DMC collaboration video, especially the moment when Steven Tyler smashes through a studio wall with his microphone stand to join the rap group next door. Now, a new image might vie for attention: Tyler’s live performance at Rome’s Colosseum in 2017, with an orchestra behind him and two cellists passionately replicating the song’s legendary guitar riff. However, the original memory remains strong.

In his book “It’s About Relationships: Building a Life that Matters,” Jimmy Walker recounts Tyler’s performance at the Colosseum, an event organized by Andrea Bocelli for Celebrity Fight Night in Rome. Walker, an insurance broker for stars like Muhammad Ali and Michael Jordan, co-founded Celebrity Fight Night, raising over $132 million for charity. Here’s the clip of Tyler’s performance:

Walker highlights a small yet memorable detail: Tyler casually chewing gum as he enters the Colosseum. Just before starting Aerosmith’s hit “Dream On” on Elton John’s piano, Tyler discreetly sticks his gum underneath it—a move Walker humorously notes might not sit well with Elton John. Now, whenever “Dream On” or “Walk This Way” plays, I’ll probably think of Tyler’s gum antics and Elton John’s piano.

The cellists accompanying Tyler, Luka Šulić and Stjepan Hauser of 2CELLOS, joined him for renditions of “Dream On” and “Walk This Way.” They also performed the “Game of Thrones” theme and “Funiculi Funicula” alongside Bocelli. A fan praised their concert broadcast on Rai1 TV, particularly enjoying Tyler’s performance and the duo’s collaboration. Here’s another highlight from the event:

This memorable moment was part of the grand finale of the Celebrity Gala at the Colosseum, featuring a duet by Tyler and Bocelli of “Imagine,” with David Foster on piano, Sharon Stone, and other celebrities like Renato Zero and Zara on stage.

The 2017 Colosseum concert was a centerpiece of the week-long Celebrity Fight Night in Rome, designed to entertain charitable donors and special guests, including Sharon Stone and Antonio Banderas. According to Wanted In Rome, the event offered a luxurious experience, with VIP dinners and private concerts in Rome’s palatial settings for €70,000. I can’t help but wonder how long Tyler’s gum stayed under Elton John’s piano.