The Night Aerosmith Opened For Kiss And Ended Up Stealing The Show

March 20, 2025

On a chilly December night in 1977, the air was electric in the arena as fans buzzed with excitement. They were gathered to see the legendary rock band KISS, known for their wild performances and flashy costumes. But that night, they were about to witness something truly unexpected. Opening for KISS was another band that had been working tirelessly to make a name for themselves—Aerosmith. The pressure was on, and the stakes were high, but little did anyone know that this would be the night that changed everything for Steven Tyler and his bandmates.

As Aerosmith took the stage, the crowd wasn’t sure what to expect. They were there for KISS, after all. Yet, as the first notes of “Dream On” filled the arena, something magical began to happen. Steven Tyler, with his unmistakable voice and wild energy, captivated the audience. He moved across the stage with a raw passion that was impossible to ignore. The band played their hearts out, pouring every ounce of emotion into their performance. The crowd, initially skeptical, began to sway and cheer, feeling the life and spirit that Aerosmith brought to the stage.

However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. When they started their second song, “Walk This Way,” a moment of panic struck. One of the guitarists, Joe Perry, accidentally slipped on a patch of sweat, falling and almost taking the entire band down with him. The music wavered, and for a split second, it seemed like disaster was looming. But instead of stopping, Tyler called out to the audience, “This one’s for you!” In that moment, the band rallied together, seamlessly picking up the beat and launching into a blistering guitar riff. The crowd erupted, clapping and singing along as if they had been fans for years. That moment of resilience transformed the atmosphere in the arena.

As the night progressed, Aerosmith’s performance grew more powerful. They played their hits with a ferocity that left everyone breathless. By the time KISS finally took the stage, the crowd was buzzing with energy and excitement. Incredibly, the opening act had stolen the show. Fans now wanted more of Aerosmith. Their passionate performance that night sparked a new wave of interest in the band, propelling them from being just another act on the tour to rock legends in the making.

The impact of that night was profound. Aerosmith would go on to become one of the most successful rock bands in history, selling millions of albums and earning countless awards. But more than that, the experience taught them the importance of perseverance and believing in themselves. They learned that even when the odds seemed stacked against them, it was their passion for music and their dedication to their craft that could win over any crowd. That night, they proved that hard work pays off and that sometimes, a little chaos can lead to incredible moments of triumph.

Years later, as they looked back on that fateful night, Tyler and the band often spoke about the magic of the moment. It wasn’t just about the fame or the accolades that followed; it was about connecting with people through music and the reminder that sometimes, taking risks leads to the most rewarding outcomes. Aerosmith had opened for KISS, but it was the beginning of their own legendary journey, one that would inspire countless others to chase their dreams, no matter how daunting the path may seem.