The 35 Songs Aerosmith Have Never Played Live

Emerging from Boston in 1970, Aerosmith has cemented its legacy as one of rock’s enduring icons, with a career spanning over five decades and more than 2,400 live shows worldwide. Throughout this extensive touring history, the band has released 15 studio albums, starting with their self-titled debut in 1973 and most recently the 2012 record Music From Another Dimension!. While they have performed a vast majority of their catalog on stage, a closer look reveals a select group of songs that have never graced their live setlists.

The challenge of crafting a live show setlist grows with a band’s expanding discography. Early in their career, Aerosmith naturally leaned heavily on their initial albums, performing nearly every track. This was particularly evident in their early tours where the smaller pool of songs necessitated a broader representation of their debut and sophomore albums.

As Aerosmith’s studio output increased, their approach to setlists evolved. It became customary for bands of this scale to either spotlight a few new tracks amid classics or shape entire tours around their latest album. Aerosmith, known for both their chart-topping hits and deep cuts, have demonstrated flexibility in this regard.

Detailed analysis, based on tour setlist statistics compiled by Setlist.fm, indicates that out of all the songs spanning their 15 studio albums, the band has never performed 35 specific tracks live. This relatively small number highlights Aerosmith’s willingness to experiment with a wide range of material in concert, going beyond simply playing their most popular hits.

Interestingly, the band has played every track from some key records. Their debut album, Aerosmith (1973), and subsequent albums like Toys in the Attic (1975) and Night in the Ruts (1979) have all seen complete live representation. Similarly, their 1989 album Pump is almost fully covered in live shows, with the exception of one bonus track.

The one album notably excluded from this live-performance tally is Honkin’ on Bobo, released in 2004, which primarily consists of blues covers. The band has chosen to omit nearly the entire album from live rotation, with the exception of “The Grind,” an original track they have performed only twice.

This pattern points to a strategic selection process, likely influenced by factors such as fan reception, song complexity, and the band’s own preferences. It also underscores the reality that even prolific bands maintain a curated approach to live performances, balancing new material with crowd favorites and deep cuts.

Looking ahead, Aerosmith’s upcoming “Aerosmith + Friends” shows at the Hollywood Bowl present an opportunity for the band to revisit some of these rarely or never performed songs. Fans and observers may witness fresh additions to concert repertoires, potentially bringing some of these 35 unplayed tracks into the live spotlight.

While the comprehensive list of these songs has been documented by music news outlet loudwire.com, details about specific reasons behind the exclusion of each track remain limited. Nevertheless, the data underscores Aerosmith’s dynamic relationship with their live shows, reflecting an evolving balance between nostalgia and innovation across decades.

In sum, Aerosmith’s live performance history reveals an impressive breadth of material explored on stage, with only a handful of songs remaining untouched in concert settings. This dynamic curation exemplifies the band’s adaptability and continued relevance in rock music, even as they navigate a vast and diverse catalog.