Steven Tyler Wows Audience with Electrifying Performance at The Colosseum in Rome, Without Electric Guitar

Every time “Walk This Way” plays, I immediately think of its Run DMC collaboration video, particularly when Steven Tyler smashes through a studio wall with his microphone stand to join the rap group. Now, another scene might come to mind: Tyler’s live performance at Rome’s Colosseum in 2017, backed by an orchestra and two cellists passionately playing the song’s iconic guitar riff. Still, the former image will likely remain dominant.

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 Tyler performance clip:

Walker describes a moment many might miss: Tyler chews gum as he enters the Colosseum. Before starting Aerosmith’s hit “Dream On” on Elton John’s piano, Tyler casually sticks his gum underneath it, a move Walker notes Elton John wouldn’t appreciate. Now, whenever “Dream On” or “Walk This Way” plays, I’ll likely remember Tyler’s gum antics and Elton John’s piano.

The cellists with Tyler, Luka Šulić and Stjepan Hauser of 2CELLOS, also joined him for “Dream On” and “Walk This Way,” and 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 was 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, as reported by Wanted In Rome, offered a luxurious experience with VIP dinners and private concerts in Rome’s palatial settings for €70,000. I wonder how long Tyler’s gum stayed under Elton John’s piano.