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

Every time “Walk This Way” comes on, my thoughts instantly flash to the iconic Run DMC collaboration video. The moment Steven Tyler bursts through a studio wall with his microphone stand to join the rap group next door is simply unforgettable. However, another scene might now come to mind: Tyler performing live at Rome’s Colosseum in 2017, accompanied by an orchestra, with two cellists passionately playing to replicate the song’s famous guitar riff.

Still, the original image is likely to remain dominant. In “It’s About Relationships: Building a Life that Matters,” Jimmy Walker shares an intriguing 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 raised over $132 million for charity, supporting a variety of causes.

Here’s the Tyler performance clip:

Walker highlights a small yet memorable moment: as Tyler enters the Colosseum, he’s chewing gum. Just before launching into Aerosmith’s hit “Dream On” on Elton John’s piano, Tyler casually sticks his gum underneath it. Walker humorously notes that Elton John probably wouldn’t appreciate this gesture. Now, when I hear “Dream On” or “Walk This Way,” I’ll likely remember Tyler’s gum antics alongside the music.

The cellists playing with Tyler were Luka Šulić and Stjepan Hauser of 2CELLOS. They performed with him not only on “Dream On” and “Walk This Way” but also on other pieces, including the “Game of Thrones” theme and “Funiculi Funicula” with Bocelli. A fan praised the concert, broadcast on Rai1 TV, 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 stirring rendition of “Imagine.” The performance featured David Foster on piano, with Sharon Stone and other celebrities like Renato Zero and Zara joining on stage.

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

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