Johnny Depp just made a surprise onstage appearance with one of the biggest rock bands in history.
The actor and longtime guitarist made a surprise appearance during Aerosmith’s first Hollywood Bowl show Thursday night, joining the band for a performance of “Train Kept A-Rollin’.” The unexpected collaboration was one of several star-studded moments during the band’s return to the stage.
Depp was introduced by Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry, his bandmate in the supergroup Hollywood Vampires. Perry called Depp a “great guitar player” before bringing him onstage, according to footage and reporting from the concert.
The Pirates of the Caribbean star then picked up his guitar and joined Steven Tyler, Perry, and the rest of Aerosmith for the 1974 rock song.
Johnny Depp Has a Long History With Aerosmith
The surprise performance wasn’t exactly out of nowhere.
Depp and Perry have been playing together in Hollywood Vampires, the rock supergroup formed by Depp, Perry, and Alice Cooper in 2012. But Depp also has a much older connection to Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler.
Back in 2011, Depp revealed that he and Tyler were writing music together. The actor said at the time that he had admired Tyler for years and called the opportunity to write songs with him a “dream come true.”
More than 15 years later, Depp ended up sharing a stage with Tyler as part of Aerosmith’s highly anticipated return. The Hollywood Bowl appearance marked Aerosmith’s first full concert since the band stepped away from touring.
Aerosmith was forced to cancel its farewell tour after Tyler suffered a vocal injury in 2023. The band subsequently announced its retirement from touring in 2024, making Thursday’s concert something of an unexpected comeback.
The band played a six-song set during the first of two Hollywood Bowl concerts, opening with “Toys in the Attic” before moving through “Back in the Saddle,” “Sweet Emotion” and “Dream On.”
Depp Wasn’t the Only Surprise Guest
Aerosmith’s return was essentially an all-star event.
Dave Grohl joined the band on drums for the first five songs, while Kramer played on “Walk This Way.” Earlier in the night, Aerosmith’s famous friends performed tributes to the band, including Guns N’ Roses, Heart, Billy Idol, Sammy Hagar, Eric Church and The Black Crowes.
The evening also featured a reunion of sorts between Steven Tyler’s daughter, Liv Tyler, and Alicia Silverstone.
The pair appeared together to introduce Aerosmith after the band’s iconic “Crazy” music video played on screens. Silverstone and Liv Tyler famously starred together in the 1994 video, which helped make the actress and Aerosmith frontman’s daughter instantly recognizable to a generation of fans.
Aerosmith Isn’t Quite Finished Yet
Despite previously announcing its retirement from touring, Aerosmith has another Hollywood Bowl performance scheduled for Nov. 1.
Whether the two shows represent the beginning of something bigger remains unclear. The band had previously said Tyler’s vocal injury made a return to full-time touring impossible, and there has been no announcement of a new tour.
