It was a night of quintessential rock stars Wednesday (2/1) night as Aerosmith [ tickets ] and Lenny Kravitz [ tickets ] played Glendale, AZ's Glendale Arena.

Aerosmith was introduced to the audience with large video screens that aired clips from throughout the band's history, backed by a medley of its hits. The rock veterans, who then launched into a set that was heavy on its 1970s material, opened up with a paltry, uninspired cover of The Beatles' "Helter Skelter."

Wrapped in a white scarf, Aerosmith lead singer Steven Tyler sashayed his way along a blue-lit catwalk that nearly ran the length of the arena's main floor during "Walk This Way." However, his performance was muted for the most part; he generally didn't partake in his usual on-stage acrobatic.

Guitarist Joe Perry took center stage to sing the roadhouse rocker "Shakin' My Cage," from his solo collection, and "Can't Stop Messin'", a song he and Tyler wrote with Tommy Shaw and Jack Blades. Perry was in his element during a powerful rendition of "Sweet Emotion," which he wrapped up by playing a searing, ear-splitting solo amidst plumes of smoke.

Thunder-and-lightning effects accompanied Perry's guitar solo for "Seasons of Wither." Wiping his hair from his face, the wiry Tyler sang the tune from a side-stage platform.

Tyler, who donned a Keith Richards-like braid with beads, played up to the crowd for the somber hit "Cryin,'" whipping off his white scarf and sunglasses. He spoke many of the lines including "Your love is sweet misery," adding a touch of drama to the performance, as did a series of light panels around the 360-degree stage. Perry roamed the stage closely behind Tyler as the latter offered a harmonica solo.

Kravitz, surprisingly, received the largest audience response during his one-hour set--and by an overwhelming margin. After his performance, the crowd mellowed out while waiting nearly an hour for Aerosmith to hit the stage at 9:44 p.m. The veteran Boston rockers played until shortly after 11 p.m.

Arriving on stage to a gospel number, Kravitz, wearing a leather-fringed jacket and bell-bottom jeans, kicked off his set with "Where Are We Running?" He couldn't run too far during the song, however: when he attempted to move to the side of the stage, his guitar cord got stuck on a monitor and yanked him back.

On the follow-up song, "Lady," made popular in Gap advertisements, Kravitz really hit his stride, bobbing his head and strutting around the stage with his guitar.

His voice always was on pitch, solidifying his reputation as one of the best live performers around. "Believe" was smooth and soulful, a perfect companion to his acoustic guitar. The song also featured an extended jam courtesy of nimble-fingered guitarist Craig Ross.

Kravitz paid tribute to victims of Hurricane Katrina, which affected "Trombone Shorty," his 19-year-old trombone player.

"He's one of the people who lost everything in New Orleans, so I have so much respect for him," Kravitz said. "He's one of the main people who is keeping the culture and tradition alive."

In keeping with the 1970s funk vibe, Kravitz let out a few "Boom Boom Shocka Locka Boom Boom Boom"s segueing into "American Woman."

The crowd responded feverishly to "American Woman" and the follow-up "Fly Away," during which Kravitz allowed the audience to sing the chorus.

"Let Love Rule" was self-promotional, however. He stripped off his jacket and button-down shirt to reveal a tee embossed with "Let Love Rule," a shirt that was $35 at the concession stands. But the song was powerful, nevertheless, with Kravitz punching the air as his back-up band sang the words "let love rule."

Lenny Kravitz's set:
"Where Are We Running?"
"Lady"
"Dig In"
"Believe"
"Always on the Run"
"American Woman"
"Fly Away"
"Let Love Rule"
(encore)
"Are You Gonna Go My Way"

Aerosmith's set
"Helter Skelter"
"Walk This Way"
"Same Old Song and Dance"
"Cryin'"
"S.O.S Too Bad"
"Livin' on the Edge"
Shakin' My Cage (Joe Perry solo album)
"Can't Stop Messin'"
"Sweet Emotion"
"Seasons of Wither"
"Dream On"
"Last Child"
"Baby Please Don't Go"
"Train Kept A Rollin'"
(Encore)
"Back In The Saddle"
"Draw The Line"