It was an amazing night for classic rock lovers at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. The beautiful, historic venue hosted two bands on September 17th, 2025, that expertly delivered hardcore rock & roll. Joe Perry Project opened the show with surprise guests Slash and Steven Tyler. The Who headlined and put on a career-spanning, greatest hits show that thrilled the packed house on a beautiful Wednesday night in Southern California.
Joe Perry has an all-star lineup for his Joe Perry Project, which previously kept him busy when he wasn’t touring or recording with Aerosmith. Since Aerosmith cancelled their farewell tour and announced they were retired from touring due to Steven Tyler’s vocal cord injury, Perry’s side project is now his primary band. The Joe Perry Project band is Perry on lead guitar with Chris Robinson from The Black Crowes on vocals, Aerosmith bandmate Brad Whitford on guitar, Stone Temple Pilot’s bassist Robert DeLeo, and longtime Joe Perry drummer Jason Sutter on drums , plus backing vocalist Mackenzie Adams, also from The Black Crowes.
That formidable lineup played an impressive set of music, mixing Aerosmith tunes with pounding covers of The Black Crowes’ “Twice as Hard” and STP’s “Vasoline.” The Bowl’s sound mix was clear and loud while the lighting effects kept Robinson, Perry, and the other musicians in bright spotlights. Robinson’s vocals were passionate and powerful. He was constantly swaying to the beats, being punched out by Kretz and DeLeo. He also made a point to share his microphone with Perry, who provided harmonies while he was blasting out creative guitar solos. Whitford also delivered some scorching solos when not providing rhythm guitar fills.
The set became something extra special when Perry introduced Slash to help out with Aerosmith’s “Mama Kin.” The hard rocking tune got a triple guitar attack as Perry, Slash, and Whitford traded sizzling solos. Slash only stayed for that song, but after the band did an intense take on Aerosmith’s “Last Child,” Perry looked around mischievously and said, “Is it time?” News had broken the day before that Steven Tyler would sit in, but until he came onstage from the wings wearing his typical neo-hippy outfit and carrying his streamer-adorned microphone stand, it was only a rumor. Tyler and Perry hugged it out, and the band launched into the iconic Aerosmith tune “Walk This Way.” Tyler’s voice was strong with only slight hiccups on the highest notes. He stayed on lead vocals and the band finished the set with a rowdy, crowd-pleasing version of Tiny Bradshaw’s frequently covered Aerosmith staple, “Train Kept A-Rollin.’”
So, is this The Who’s final North American tour? That was the question on everyone’s mind when the band announced their The Song is Over Tour in early 2025. Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend, the original duo left from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame quartet (Keith Moon died in 1978 and John Entwistle in 2002), have threatened to call it quits a few times over the last forty years, but this time, most believe they are really done. Daltrey is 81 and has famously been treated for vocal cord damage since 2009. Townshend is 80 and revealed earlier this year that he had knee replacement surgery stemming from an old injury. They are clearly near the end of the road. The devoted, enthusiastic crowd at the Hollywood Bowl certainly acted like it was a special night. They expressed their joy with standing ovations, loud shout-outs, and near constant singing along with Roger Daltrey.
There was no filler in their Hollywood Bowl set; nothing new, nothing obscure. Every song was a hit, and as the show progressed, Pete Townshend guided the crowd through their illustrious career. He introduced each segment of songs coming from their earliest days through their biggest albums, Tommy, Quadrophenia, Who’s Next, and Who Are You. Daltrey and Townshend had expert support on stage with them. Townshend’s brother Simon played both acoustic and electric guitar; Scott Devours replaced the recently fired Zak Starkey on drums; Jon Button was on bass; Loren Gold played keys; Jody Linscott was on percussion, and John Hogg sang backup vocals.
It was everything fans have come to expect at a Who show – Daltrey spun his wired microphone in circles when not singing; Townshend did windmills with his arm as he attacked his Fender Stratocaster; there were bombastic drums, thumping bass lines and synthesizer flourishes. A huge video screen behind the stage showed old photos, posters, and vintage concert footage while the band played live. Their song sequence did not follow a straight timeline, but the early part of the show included accurate, satisfying versions of three 1960s hits: “I Can’t Explain,” “Substitute,” and “I Can See For Miles.” Daltrey sounded as good as he has since before the vocal cord surgery fifteen years ago. Simon Townshend played the distinctive acoustic guitar riff for the Tommy classic “Pinball Wizard” that transitioned directly into Daltrey’s passionate vocal take on “See Me, Feel Me.”
Another dramatic moment occurred when they played two tracks from Who’s Next. Townshend’s love song “Love Ain’t for Keeping” was followed by “Behind Blue Eyes.” Townshend sat in a chair with an acoustic guitar while the giant video screen showed a massive blue eyeball. Daltrey belted out the lyrics, but he struggled for the first time during the highest notes. The acoustic moment did not last long as they launched into their raucous, synth-infused “Eminence Front” with Townshend on a black and white Strat while he sang lead.
Near the end of the show, the band put together an excellent sequence from Quadrophenia. “The Real Me” segued to “I’m One” with Townshend on vocals and acoustic guitar, while Daltrey played an up-tempo harmonica solo. “5:15” had Daltrey back on vocals and Townshend on his red Strat playing a scintillating solo. Loren Gold played the pretty piano intro to “Love, Reign O’er Me,” and the vocally challenging song really put Daltrey to the test. He soldiered through it, and his sweat-soaked face showed relief after it was over. Townshend, who historically has verbally poked at Daltrey on stage over the years, got a bit emotional when he said, “That one always blows my fucking mind, Rog.”
That sequence was so powerful, the show could have ended right there, but of course, the band had to do two of their anthems, “Won’t Get Fooled Again” and “Baba O’Riley.” The audience knew the show was almost over. Nearly everyone was standing, rhythmically clapping and belting out the lyrics to both songs as Daltrey encouraged them by aiming his microphone into the crowd during the chorus. \
They wrapped up the show with a moving and appropriate send-off as Daltrey, Townshend, and the rest of the band launched into “The Song Is Over.” It may have been written about the end of an affair, but it fit perfectly as commentary about the end of another kind of relationship, one between a band and audience, that has lasted for seven decades. Both principals sang verses with Townshend singing the final verse, “The song is over, I’m left with only tears. I must remember, even if it takes a million years.”
The rest of the band left the stage as only Daltrey and Townshend remained at center stage in chairs under muted lighting; Townshend with his acoustic guitar and Daltrey with a white mug and his microphone for a quiet and intimate “Tea & Theatre.” “We did it all, didn’t we?” Daltrey sang, and that pretty much summed up their career.
Whether or not this truly is the end of touring for The Who, they left a monumentally positive impression on the Hollywood Bowl crowd. Daltrey and Townshend, along with their stellar bandmates, delivered a career retrospective that proved they still have that live mojo. If it was the end, they went out on a high note. If they return, even for just a few one-off shows, fans will snap up tickets, knowing these legends can still create magic onstage.
Live photos courtesy of Andy J. Gordon ©2025
