Steven Tyler returned to the stage at MTV’s Video Music Awards to pay tribute to late rock legend Ozzy Osbourne.
The Black Sabbath frontman died on July 22 at age 76, just 17 days after Tyler performed at his farewell concert, Back to the Beginning, in Birmingham, England.
During the live MTV Video Music Awards show on Sept. 7, Tyler, 77, was joined by his Aerosmith bandmate Joe Perry, as well as English singer Yungblud and Extreme guitarist Nuno Bettencourt, for a stunning performance of Osbourne’s classic 1991 song “Mama I’m Coming Home.”
Tyler, 77, clung to Perry as he hit all of the right notes during the powerful performance, which left him—and fans—teary-eyed.
On social media, fans couldn’t get over how good Tyler’s voice sounded, given his ongoing vocal chord issues. Some expressed hope for the possibility of an Aerosmith tour more than a year after the band announced its retirement from touring due to Tyler’s permanent vocal chord damage.
“The voice has returned in all its greatness 🔥,” one fan wrote on Instagram.
“Steven Tyler used his pipes for an amazing tribute!!!!! Those vocals are a unicorn moment. So amazing,” added another.
“No I need to go to an Aerosmith tour. Steven can still sing,” a third fan wrote on X.
“This is incredible and Steven Tyler can still go. Really hope we get a mini Aerosmith tour since PEACE OUT got cancelled,” another wrote.
“Maybe Aerosmith can tour and just play like 4 songs because Steven has been killing it lately,” another commenter suggested.
“@IamStevenT is in great shape! He’s bloody great!🔥 We’re begging for an @Aerosmith tour,” another fan wrote, adding a series of praying hands emoji.
Aerosmith Will Likely Never Tour Again
Aerosmith formed in Boston in 1970 with Tyler, Perry, guitarist Brad Whitford, bassist Tom Hamilton, and drummer Joey Kramer. The band enjoyed massive success for more than 50 years, with hits such as “Dream On,” “Back in the Saddle,” “Sweet Emotion,” “Walk This Way,” “Cryin,’” and “Angel.”
In late 2023, Aerosmith’s Peace Out: The Farewell Tour was cut short after Tyler suffered a larynx fracture. In August 2024, the band announced on Instagram that they would officially step down from the touring stage.
“Steven’s voice is an instrument like no other,” the bandmates said in a statement. “He has spent months tirelessly working on getting his voice to where it was before his injury. … Sadly, it is clear that a full recovery from his vocal injury is not possible. We have made a heartbreaking and difficult, but necessary, decision – as a band of brothers – to retire from the touring stage.”
While the chances of a tour are slim to none, Perry has hinted that a one-off show could happen.
In Aug. 2025, the guitar player told Boston’s WBUR, “I would bet that there’s an Aerosmith show left. There’s been talk about doing a documentary that might be part of it.”
“I’ve been spending a lot of time with Steven, and he just doesn’t want to tour, and he can’t tour,” Perry reiterated. “It’s tough. I’m not sure I would want to go out and book another 40-city tour. It’s a long way to the top and staying there takes it out of you, especially an Aerosmith tour.”
