Aerosmith, the legendary American rock band formed in Boston in 1970, embarked on a farewell tour in 2017 titled “Aero-Vederci Baby!”. After nearly 50 years of making music and performing live, the band decided it was time to retire from extensive touring and do some farewell shows for their loyal fans. The Aero-Vederci Baby! tour kicked off in Tel Aviv, Israel in May 2017 and continued through Europe and North America before concluding in November 2017. In total, the farewell tour spanned 6 months and consisted of around 50 shows across the globe. The tour served as one final opportunity for fans to see Aerosmith perform many of their iconic hits live.
Aerosmith’s Farewell Tour By The Numbers
– The tour began on May 17, 2017 in Tel Aviv, Israel
– It ended on November 14, 2017 in California, USA
– The farewell tour lasted 6 months
– 50+ shows were performed in total
– Cities visited included London, Manchester, Prague, Munich, Paris, Amsterdam, New York, Las Vegas, Toronto, Chicago, Boston and more
– Setlist included hits like “Walk This Way”, “Dream On”, “Sweet Emotion”, “Janie’s Got A Gun”, “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” and many others
– Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Tom Hamilton, Joey Kramer and Brad Whitford were the band members on the tour
– The tour grossed over $55 million in revenue
So in summary, Aerosmith’s farewell tour “Aero-Vederci Baby!” lasted approximately 6 months over the course of 2017 and included around 50 shows all over the world. It gave fans one last chance to enjoy Aerosmith’s incredible catalog of hits live in concert.
Setlist Overview
Aerosmith’s farewell tour featured a diverse setlist spanning the band’s entire career, from their classic 1970s albums to their more recent hits. While the setlist varied slightly from show to show, these were some of the most commonly played songs on the tour:
– “Sweet Emotion”
– “Walk This Way”
– “Love in an Elevator”
– “Cryin'”
– “Janie’s Got a Gun”
– “What It Takes”
– “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing”
– “Dream On”
– “Train Kept A-Rollin'”
– “Mama Kin”
– “Back in the Saddle”
– “Last Child”
– “Toys in the Attic”
– “Dude (Looks Like a Lady)”
– “Rag Doll”
– “Livin’ on the Edge”
So in total the setlist featured around 20-25 songs, spanning from the 1970s through the 1990s. The show would typically open with a classic like “Back in the Saddle” before jumping into some of their mega hits like “Love in an Elevator” and “Walk This Way”. Slow ballads like “Dream On” and “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” provided moments to reflect, while songs like “Sweet Emotion” and “Toys in the Attic” captured the band’s raw energy. The set provided a little something for every Aerosmith fan.
Notable Tour Dates
While each show on Aerosmith’s farewell tour was special, there were a few particularly noteworthy tour stops along the way:
May 17 – Tel Aviv, Israel – The tour kicked off in Tel Aviv, marking Aerosmith’s first concert in Israel.
June 25 – Des Moines, Iowa – This show was played at Wells Fargo Arena and was extra memorable because lead singer Steven Tyler’s daughter Liv Tyler attended.
July 15 – Lake Tahoe, Nevada – The outdoor show was held at Harveys Outdoor Arena on the shores of picturesque Lake Tahoe.
August 23 – Wantagh, New York – Aerosmith played the iconic outdoor Jones Beach Theater on Long Island.
September 19 – Boston, Massachusetts – An emotional show in Aerosmith’s hometown at TD Garden.
October 7 – Fresno, California – The band’s second to last show of the tour took place at the Save Mart Center.
November 14 – California, USA – The tour wrapped up with a final show at Honda Center in Anaheim.
So in addition to major cities across North America and Europe, the tour hit some more unique spots like Tel Aviv proving the band’s global appeal. The hometown show in Boston and the grand finale in California were especially memorable nights on the farewell journey.
Guest Performers
Throughout their farewell tour, Aerosmith brought some special guest stars along for the ride at various shows:
– Alice Cooper – The shock rock legend joined the band on stage in Uncasville, Connecticut for performances of “No More Mr. Nice Guy” and “School’s Out”.
– Johnny Depp – Depp, a longtime friend of guitarist Joe Perry, played with Aerosmith in Las Vegas, Nevada.
– Slash – The Guns N’ Roses guitarist teamed up with Aerosmith to perform “Mama Kin” in Los Angeles.
– James Hetfield – The Metallica frontman joined the band on stage in Minnesota to sing “Train Kept A-Rollin”.
– Lady Gaga – Pop superstar Lady Gaga performed the classic “Dude (Looks Like a Lady)” with the band.
– John Mayer – Mayer played guitar on “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” at the Boston show.
– Zakk Wylde – Guitarist Wylde lent his bluesy licks to “Fever” and “Train Kept A-Rollin”.
So the farewell tour became a celebration of rock n’ roll with special appearances from many of music’s greats. It emphasized Aerosmith’s influence and admiration amongst fellow legends.
Critical Reception
Aerosmith’s farewell tour received mostly positive reviews from critics, who praised the band’s continued energy and performance ability even after nearly 50 years together. Here’s a sampling of what critics had to say about the tour:
“Aerosmith prove they still have plenty of rocket fuel left in the tank to power one last fiery lap around the stadium circuit.” – Rolling Stone
“Aerosmith brought their bombastic showmanship and musical prowess to each stop along the tour, blowing the roofs off arenas night after night.” – Consequence
“At a time when many of their classic rock peers have lost their edge, Aerosmith still manages to thrill crowds with the raucous sound that made them legends.” – Houston Chronicle
“The Good Boys from Boston delivered a masterclass in rock concert entertainment, and reminded us why they are considered one of the genre’s most electrifying live acts.” – Dallas Observer
So while some critics noted the toll 50 years of performing had taken on Tyler’s vocals, overall the reviews reflected the enthusiasm, skill and vitality Aerosmith brought to their farewell tour.
The Band’s Thoughts on the Tour
Aerosmith members had plenty of positive things to say looking back on their six-month farewell tour:
Steven Tyler: “It’s been an incredible journey playing for our die-hard fans one last time. Their energy has given us the fuel to go out in style.”
Joe Perry: “We wanted to choose cities and venues that meant a lot to us over the years. The fan response has been unbelievable at every stop.”
Brad Whitford: “Reconnecting with our fans all over the world has been the highlight. We’ve laughed, cried and shared many memories.”
Tom Hamilton: “Playing the final notes of this tour in Boston where it all started was the perfect way to bring Aerosmith’s live shows to a close.”
Joey Kramer: “After all these years, I’m still amazed that our fans have enabled us to keep living our dream. We couldn’t ask for a better way to say farewell.”
So each band member expressed gratitude to the fans who supported them on this journey. They considered the tour a fitting celebration of Aerosmith’s legendary career.
Significance and Legacy of the Farewell Tour
Aerosmith’s farewell tour holds special significance for several reasons:
– It marked the end of one of rock music’s greatest eras, closing the curtain on a nearly 50-year career.
– It gave multiple generations of fans one last chance to enjoy a live Aerosmith experience.
– Over $55 million in ticket sales demonstrated the band’s tremendous staying power.
– The guest collaborations honored Aerosmith’s influence on other rock legends.
– Strong reviews proved the band still had the goods after all these years.
– Moments like their hometown Boston show provided storybook endings.
Though intended to be a farewell, the tour ultimately solidified Aerosmith as one of the most beloved and enduring rock acts of all time. Its success highlighted that even after nearly five decades, Aerosmith remains a powerful, must-see live act. The tour demonstrated why bands like Guns N’ Roses, Metallica and more view Aerosmith as an icon.
While no other extensive concert tour is planned, Aerosmith continues to perform one-off shows and may do so for years to come. But the Aero-Vederci Baby! tour will forever go down as the band’s definitive farewell journey. It let them rock the globe one last time in legendary fashion.
Conclusion
In summary, Aerosmith’s farewell concert tour spanned about six months and 50 shows across North America, Europe and the Middle East in 2017. The tour marked the first time the band played in Israel and also included notable shows in their hometown of Boston and the grand finale in California. Their setlist spanned career hits and they brought out special guest stars like Johnny Depp, Lady Gaga and Slash. Reviews praised the band’s continued vitality and energy. While intended as a farewell, the success of the tour proved Aerosmith’s staying power and cemented their legacy as one of rock’s greatest live acts after nearly 50 years. The Aero-Vederci Baby! tour gave the band’s multi-generational fans one unforgettable last chance to rock out to classics like “Sweet Emotion”, “Janie’s Got a Gun” and “Dream On” live in concert.