It is not often that two music legends happen to meet by chance, but that’s exactly what occurred in New York this weekend with Beatles’ Paul McCartney and Steven Tyler, the voice of Aerosmith. They ran into each other on the Upper East Side, and fans quickly picked up on the encounter on social media.
Both rock stars met just outside the Surrey Hotel as McCartney was about to go in with his companions. When he reached the entrance, he noticed Tyler nearby and quickly stepped away from his path to greet him. This led to a friendly chat between the two music icons.
Paul McCartney and Steven Tyler share rock legacy
Paul McCartney met by fluke Steven Tyler outside the Surrey Hotel on New York City’s Upper East Side Saturday.
(via TMZ) #PaulMcCartney #StevenTyler pic.twitter.com/g65dEvG7hf
— MarieFranceRemillard (@MFRemillard) June 2, 2025
Though their meeting on the sidewalk was short, it reminded fans of the significant impact both artists have. Together, they have earned 23 Grammy Awards and have received over 100 nominations. McCartney is known for writing some of rock music’s most famous songs, while Tyler’s distinctive voice defined a whole era of American rock.
Both musicians are also honored members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, with careers lasting for decades and a big fan base across multiple generations. Fans took the opportunity from this unplanned meeting to gush about their shared lasting appeal and influence.
Fans call for more than a quick chat
Though McCartney and Tyler did not have a longer meeting or discussion, their fans could not help but imagine what that would be like for a collaboration. They wondered if the duo would share old tour stories, discuss songwriting, or even talk about new projects. While this was all speculation, just the photos of them together were enough to generate excitement online.
Some fans joked about who would have covered the bill if they had gone out for a meal. Others were simply happy to see two legends showing respect for each other. In a time when many public moments feel planned, this encounter was refreshingly genuine and truly in the spirit of rock ‘n’ roll.