Steven Tyler Returns To The Stage After Vocal Cord Injury

Country met rock and roll when Lainey Wilson joined Steven Tyler for a duet at his annual “Jam for Janie” Grammys party. The performance marked Tyler’s return to the stage after entering semi-retirement.

In 2023, Tyler’s band, the legendary rock group Aerosmith, was forced to postpone six of their tour dates. Tyler suffered a vocal cord injury, and doctors placed him on vocal rest.

Unfortunately, Tyler’s injury was more serious than it seemed at first. On top of injuring his vocal cords, he fractured his larynx. As a result, in August 2024, Aerosmith announced their retirement from touring.

“As you know, Steven’s voice is an instrument like no other. He has spent months tirelessly working on getting his voice to where it was before his injury,” the band shared in a statement. “We’ve seen him struggling despite having the best medical team by his side. 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.”

Tyler had been fairly quiet since that announcement was made and didn’t post regularly on social media. He finally broke his silence just a few days before the Grammys to promote his “Jam for Janie.”

Lainey Wilson Sings “Dream On” With Steven Tyler

Fans were understandably thrilled when, on the evening of the Grammys, Tyler returned to the stage to sing at his “Jam for Janie” event.

The Aerosmith song “Janie’s Got a Gun” inspired Tyler to spearhead the nonprofit organization Janie’s Fund. The organization helps young women who have aged out of the foster care system. This year, Variety reports that Janie’s Fund switched gears to help raise funds for those affected by the recent wildfires in Southern California.

Tyler hosted his “Jam for Janie” at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles. The event served as a Grammys watch party and miniature concert, with performances from artists such as Joan Jett, Billy Idol, Marcus King, and Linda Perry.

Tyler also performed several songs himself. At one point, he invited Grand Ole Opry member Lainey Wilson onstage to join him for a duet. Together, they tackled one of Aerosmith’s most iconic songs, “Dream On.”

Tyler previously teased their duet with some rehearsal photos he shared on social media.

Once it was showtime, Wilson started off singing solo while Tyler accompanied her on piano. Then he took his turn singing on his own before eventually uniting with Wilson to sing with her in a true duet.

Watch Steven Tyler and Lainey Wilson sing “Dream On” in the videos below. Maybe this is a sign that Tyler isn’t fully retiring after all?