Steven Tyler Enchants Rome’s Colosseum Audience with Acoustic Performance

Every time “Walk This Way” plays, my mind instantly recalls the iconic Run DMC collaboration video, particularly when Steven Tyler breaks through a studio wall with his microphone stand to join the rap group next door. Now, a different scene might come to mind: Tyler performing live at the Roman Colosseum in 2017, with an orchestra behind him and two cellists passionately mimicking the song’s legendary guitar riff. Yet, the former image remains vivid.

In “It’s About Relationships: Building a Life that Matters,” Jimmy Walker recounts Tyler’s Colosseum performance, 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 performance clip:

Walker highlights a quirky moment: Tyler chewing gum as he enters the Colosseum. Before starting “Dream On” on Elton John’s piano, Tyler sticks his gum underneath it, a move Walker notes Elton John would likely disapprove of. Now, whenever “Dream On” or “Walk This Way” plays, I’ll probably remember Tyler’s gum antics.

The cellists accompanying Tyler, Luka Šulić and Stjepan Hauser of 2CELLOS, joined him for “Dream On” and “Walk This Way,” and also performed the “Game of Thrones” theme and “Funiculi Funicula” with 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 moment marked the grand finale of the Celebrity Gala at the Colosseum, featuring Tyler and Bocelli’s rendition 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 highlight of the week-long Celebrity Fight Night in Rome, aimed at entertaining charitable donors and special guests, including Sharon Stone and Antonio Banderas. The event, reported by Wanted In Rome, offered a luxurious experience with VIP dinners and private concerts in Rome’s grand settings for €70,000. I can’t help but wonder how long Tyler’s gum stayed under Elton John’s piano.