It was just another sunny day on Florida’s west coast — until two rock legends showed up for lunch.
Singer Steven Tyler, 77, and guitarist Joe Perry, 74, of Aerosmith were spotted grabbing a bite and posing for a photo together at Morton’s Gourmet Market, a longtime specialty food store in Sarasota. The market first opened in 1969 — just a year before Aerosmith launched the career that would eventually land the band in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001.
In the photo shared by Morton’s on social media, Tyler — wearing a sheer black shirt, patterned pants, layered necklaces, and holding a Morton’s bag — stands smiling next to two employees in branded black shirts. To their right is Perry, in a burgundy button-down shirt, ripped jeans, beaded jewelry, and his signature wild hair, completing a snapshot that must have delighted fans and likely surprised a few unsuspecting shoppers.
Why did Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith visit Morton’s in Sarasota?
A manager for Morton’s — which opened more than half a century ago when Ted Morton purchased Marable’s Market — could not be immediately reached for comment. However, the gourmet grocery store revealed on social media that the rock stars, once known as the “Toxic Twins,” dropped in for a bite to eat.
“Never a dull moment at the market!” Morton’s posted on Thursday, June 19. “Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith dropped by for lunch. Awesome guys!”
Of course, Sarasota has deep ties to Aerosmith, with Perry owning a home on Longboat Key. But appearances by the guitar hero remain rare — especially ones where he’s accompanied by his longtime lead singer and songwriting partner, a duo responsible for such classic rock anthems as the Aerosmith hits “Walk This Way,” “Same Old Song and Dance,” and “Back in the Saddle.”
Could an Aerosmith reunion be happening?
Aerosmith retired from touring last year after Tyler suffered a vocal cord injury. But Perry is preparing to get back on stage with his namesake group — and some familiar faces are joining him.
The Joe Perry Project’s eight-date run kicks off Aug. 13 at the Seminole Hard Rock Tampa Event Center and features fellow Aerosmith members Brad Whitford and Buck Johnson, along with Chris Robinson of The Black Crowes and Robert DeLeo and Eric Kretz of Stone Temple Pilots.
Could Tyler make a surprise appearance? The Sarasota sighting certainly fuels the speculation. Perry’s publicist did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Has Aerosmith ever performed in Sarasota?
While the Herald-Tribune previously reported that Perry has been spotted participating in Sarasota beach cleanups and walking around St. Armands Circle, his most famous Sarasota appearance took place alongside his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame bandmates on Feb. 1, 2003. Several hundred attendees at the Sarasota Film Festival’s “Late Night UnWrap Bash” (myself included) witnessed a rather historic performance.
The event honored Aerosmith’s longtime record producer Jack Douglas, and before it ended, we were treated to a surprise performance by the band inside the ballroom of the Hyatt Regency Sarasota. They played “Walk This Way,” “Sweet Emotion,” “Walking the Dog,” and “The Train Kept A-Rollin’” to a crowd that can only really be described as hysteric.
Yeah, it was a helluva night.
Wade Tatangelo is Ticket Editor for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and Florida Regional Dining and Entertainment Editor for the USA TODAY Network. Follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and X. He can be reached by email at wade.tatangelo@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalism by subscribing.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Steven Tyler and Joe Perry have lunch in Florida— is an Aerosmith reunion next?
Reporting by Wade Tatangelo, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
