Joe Perry is officially hitting the road this August with a major tour that marks his first large-scale solo outing since Aerosmith paused touring due to frontman Steven Tyler’s health issues. Titled The Joe Perry Project, this tour features an all-star band with members from Aerosmith, Black Crowes, and Stone Temple Pilots.
The tour begins on August 13 in Tampa, Florida, and concludes on August 23 in Port Chester, New York. Perry has reassembled a powerhouse group of musicians, starting with his Aerosmith bandmate and fellow guitarist Brad Whitford. Also joining them is Buck Johnson, who has previously toured with Aerosmith as their keyboardist.
Adding even more star power, the Black Crowes’ Chris Robinson will take on lead vocals, while Robert DeLeo and Eric Kretz of Stone Temple Pilots will handle bass and drums, respectively.
Though only eight shows have been announced so far, the brief nature of the tour could be a warm-up for a more extensive run in the future. Perry has hinted at new solo material, which may be featured alongside selections from his expansive solo discography.
This tour also represents the first time Perry and Whitford will perform together since Aerosmith’s 2024 tour was cut short. It’s also a chance to spotlight Whitford’s contributions to the band’s legacy—something Perry has long championed.
In a 2023 interview with Guitar World, Perry said, “It’s always rubbed me the wrong way when people put Brad down and refer to me as the lead guitarist. Some of the best solos in our catalog are ones Brad did.” Expect the shows to highlight the dynamic interplay between the two guitarists.
Whitford has voiced similar sentiments. Recalling a moment of misattribution from a Melody Maker review of Aerosmith’s Rocks, Whitford said, “When they got to talking about ‘Last Child,’ they started talking about how it sounded like Jeff Beck… But then they gave Joe credit for the guitar solo. I read that, and I fucking went nuclear. It was bullshit, and I was so upset.”
Meanwhile, Robinson’s involvement builds on an existing collaboration with Perry. He appeared on Perry’s 2023 album Sweetzerland Manifesto MKII, and recently returned with the Black Crowes to release Happiness Bastards, their first new album in 15 years—a project he described as “our love letter to rock n’ roll.”
In parallel to tour preparations, Perry has revisited Done With Mirrors, Aerosmith’s underappreciated album produced by Van Halen collaborator Ted Templeman. He has also shared his admiration for a newly favored guitar amp, which its manufacturers say has received a significant boost from Perry’s endorsement.
Though the exact setlist for The Joe Perry Project tour remains under wraps, fans can expect a fiery blend of new songs, solo classics, and maybe even a few surprises from the Aerosmith vault.
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