Halestorm frontwoman Lzzy Hale paid tribute to Aerosmith after taking part in a special gathering honoring the legendary rock band, posted on Instagram.
Hale reflected on how the band shaped her as a musician. She highlighted the individual contributions of each member and explained how their influence reaches back to her own early work with Halestorm.
“Aerosmith and friends. What a beautiful gathering of like-minded souls,” Hale wrote. “Providing a safe haven for the weirdos, the strange girls, the Mz Hydes, the freaks, the downtrodden — the power of music, love and light that comes with celebrating your true self.”
She recalled her childhood introduction to the band. “I remember my parents introducing me to Aerosmith when I was a kid. We tried to mimic their magic as kids. You can deep dive into our early years with our second independent release from 1998, Don’t Mess With the Time Man, and clearly hear their influence.”
Hale spoke about what drew her to Aerosmith’s members as a young musician. “As a young lady drawn like a moth to the eternal flame, I discovered the incomparable voice of Steven Tyler and his lyrical chaos, the guitar prowess of Joe Perry, the pure adventure of Brad Whitford’s arrangements and songwriting, and the unmistakable swagger of Joey Kramer.”
She stated the core of her gratitude with directness. “Without Aerosmith, I would not be the rocker I am today.”
Hale also thanked those involved in organizing the event. “I am so grateful to my friend and ally in this business, Phil X, for calling me to be part of this event. And I want to offer my whole black-hearted thanks to all the amazing fans for having me!”
Hale’s comments came as part of a special celebration honoring Aerosmith. Her remarks show how deeply the band’s legacy has marked her career as a rock musician.
The event where Hale performed was “California Dream On: Aerosmith & Friends,” held at the Hollywood Bowl on October 29 and November 1, 2026. Two sold-out shows celebrated the band’s history and enduring legacy, presented by Live Nation-Hewitt Silva and produced by 724 Management and Blackbird Presents. Don Was served as Music Director, leading an All-Star Band that included Phil X and other musicians. Hale performed one of Aerosmith’s best-known songs, “Kings and Queens” from the album Draw the Line.
Aerosmith had announced on August 2, 2024, that they would cease touring effective immediately, canceling the remainder of their Peace Out farewell tour. The farewell tour had been suspended after three shows due to lead singer Steven Tyler suffering vocal cord damage. The Hollywood Bowl celebration in October and November 2026 marked a return to the stage for all five original members, with their last full performance together having taken place in 2020.
Hale’s tribute reflected a relationship spanning much of her career as a musician. Her early Halestorm recordings drew from Aerosmith’s influence, and she has performed covers of the band’s music multiple times over the years. The celebration allowed her to honor the band that shaped her path as a rock artist.
