Three years ago, Steven Tyler’s voice gave out and Aerosmith told us the party was over. This week, five guys from Boston walked back into a rehearsal room and reminded everyone that in rock, “farewell” is a mood, not a contract. That’s the thesis for the week: retirement is just a long intermission, and while the legends take their encores, the next class is quietly booking the arenas.
The Bad Boys From Boston Are Back in One Room
Aerosmith posted their first rehearsal photos on Oct 20, ahead of two all-star “California, Dream On” nights at the Hollywood Bowl on Oct 29 and Nov 1. The headline is Joey Kramer behind the kit; he hasn’t played with the band since early 2020. These are Aerosmith’s first shows since Tyler’s larynx injury ended the farewell tour in September 2023, with Don Was directing a guest list that includes Slash, Heart, Billy Idol and Sammy Hagar.
ZRock take: The guests are a bonus. All five originals on one stage is the whole show.
Sources: Louder, Guitar Player
Nirvana Just Outsold AC/DC (By a Whisker)
Chartmasters’ all-format tally of physical sales, downloads and streams now ranks Nevermind as the sixth best-selling album ever, edging Back in Black by roughly 1,000 equivalent units. AC/DC still wins on physical copies, about 37 million to 30 million; streaming tipped it. After Monday’s nod to Pearl Jam’s Vs., call it Seattle’s revenge.
ZRock take: A thousand units isn’t a win, it’s a photo finish. Back in Black is still the better front-to-back record. Fight us.
Sources: Louder, Chartmasters
Queens of the Stone Age Book the Arenas, Bring the Pixies
QOTSA played “Where the Goth Girls At?” on Fallon on Oct 21, then announced 16 US arena dates for May 2027 with Pixies in support, including Red Rocks on May 12. New album Perfecth arrives Oct 30 on Matador.
ZRock take: This is the current-rock bill of 2027 so far, and the Pixies opening for anyone still feels illegal.
Sources: Consequence, Stereogum
Bon Jovi Go Back to Stadiums
With vocal surgery behind him and the Forever Tour back on the road, Jon Bon Jovi added seven 2027 stadium-size shows across Australia, the UK and North America, including a BST Hyde Park headline on June 24, their first Hyde Park headline since 2013. UK general sale opens today; North America follows Oct 30.
ZRock take: Selling MetLife is easy. The real test is the voice in hour three.
Sources: Consequence, Official Charts
The Stones Keep Emptying the Vault
“Who You Callin’ Crazy,” with Courtney Pine on sax, previews Foreign Tongues, Loose Lips, a deluxe edition of July’s Foreign Tongues due Nov 27. It adds four unreleased songs (one with Steve Winwood on organ), plus “Bad Luck Hideaway” featuring the late Charlie Watts.
ZRock take: Four months from album to deluxe is fast, but leftovers this loose beat most bands’ singles.
Sources: Louder, Blabbermouth
Sonic Temple 2027: Old Gods, New Blood
Columbus, Ohio gets Iron Maiden, Blink-182, Korn and Falling In Reverse as headliners May 13-16, 2027, with Faith No More, Alice In Chains, Turnstile, Knocked Loose and Poppy on a 100-plus band bill.
ZRock take: That’s this week’s thesis on one poster: Maiden on top, Turnstile and Knocked Loose waiting their turn.
Get Well Soon, Noodles
The Offspring’s Noodles said on Oct 21 he’s stepping away from live shows to deal with “a sudden and fairly serious health issue.” The band will keep playing, with no fill-in named yet.
ZRock take: Take all the time you need. We’ll keep the “Self Esteem” riff warm.
Sources: Blabbermouth, Louder
Your turn: Which comeback do you actually believe in, Aerosmith’s original five or Bon Jovi in stadiums? And settle it for good: Nevermind or Back in Black?
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