2014 Summer Tour Guide

Aerosmith has pledged to 'Let Rock Rule' alongside friend Slash. The former Guns N’ Roses guitarist has been finishing up work on a third album with Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators, while Aerosmith released its first studio project in 11 years with 2012's 'Music from Another Dimension.'

The Allmans are set to quit the road after guitarists Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks announced they were leaving. But not before rescheduling some missed Beacon Theatre dates and adding a few more. If their fiery performance at June's Mountain Jam is in any indication, these guys are going out with a bang.

Boston is in the midst of its biggest tour in ages after releasing 'Life, Love & Hope,' the band's first album in 11 years. That project featured some of the last recordings with late singer Brad Delp; Tommy DeCarlo and David Victor are handling vocals these days. The Doobie Brothers also appear on select dates.

Chicago and REO Speedwagon team up for a double dose of Illinois rock. Despite sharing a label in the '70s, this will be their first time touring together. Meanwhile, Chicago is set to release its first new studio effort since '06 this summer; REO's most recent project was 2012's 'Live At Moondance Jam.'

Elvis Costello is in the midst of a solo tour, marking the first time he's headlined without a full band since 1999, when he played with keyboardist Steve Nieve. Costello released ''Wise Up Ghost' in September, a collaboration with hip-hop group the Roots.

When not appearing with Boston or Peter Frampton, the Doobies will be doing a series of their own stand-alone shows beginning in late July. They have been at work on an album featuring re-recordings of some of their biggest hits, which will include several of country's biggest stars as well as former Doobie Michael McDonald.

This is a continuation of the on-going 'History of the Eagles' shows, named for the documentary of the same name. But there may be more to it than that. Glenn Frey has strongly hinted that this could be the group's final tour, although he and Don Henley have also teased a new album.

Frampton will play individual shows into the fall in addition to his dates with the Doobies. Highlights include a concert with Randy Bachman and seven shows with Buddy Guy. Frampton will also issue 'Hummingbird in a Box,' an EP that grew out of his collaboration with the Cincinnati Ballet, later this summer.

These appearances are in addition to Billy Joel's dates at Madison Square Garden, where he's participating in an on-going, on-demand residency. Notable stops elsewhere include Chicago, where in July he will become the first musician to headline Wrigley Field twice.

Journey, Steve Miller and special guest Tower of Power all boast Bay Area roots. That shared history, Journey leader Neal Schon says, all but ensures some late-concert jam sessions together. Schon has just released a new solo album, while Miller's most recent project was 2011's 'Let Your Hair Down.'

There's more than music to this outing from Kiss and Def Leppard. As with Kiss' last North American tour, $1 from each ticket sold will go toward several wounded warrior groups. Veterans will also be brought in to work the tour as part of the 'Hiring Our Heroes' campaign.

Lynyrd Skynyrd's nearly 40-date 2014 tour slate culminates with an appearance during the eighth Simple Man Cruise, set for November. The band, scheduled there with Foghat and Starship, has already confirmed that this will be their last cruise. Skynyrd's last album was 2012's 'Last of a Dyin' Breed.'

John Mellencamp is appearing this summer in a series of venues he hasn't performed in since the '80s. After that, Mellencamp will prepare to release a new album. He says he's composed some 85 new songs since 2010.

If you plan to see Motley Crue in concert, this is your last chance to do it. The band says their aptly titled 'Final Tour' will be just that. A new Crue album is highly unlikely, but work on a film version of the band's biography 'The Dirt' was to begin this summer. Alice Cooper joins them as special guest.

Original Queen members Brian May and Roger Taylor will mount their first world tour with ex-'American Idol' finalist-turned-glam rocker Adam Lambert, who has been standing in for the late Freddie Mercury on assorted dates since 2009. They'll play North America through July, then hit Asia and Australia into September.

Soundgarden and Nine Inch Nails co-headline one of 2014's more curious tours. Remember when Trent Reznor slammed Soundgarden's Chris Cornell for hiring Timbaland as his producer back in 2009? Never mind! Reznor has since issued NIN's eighth album, while Soundgarden's last project arrived in 2012.

Former Beatles drummer Ringo Starr returns with the 12th incarnation of his All-Starr Band lineup, with him since 2012. That includes Steve Lukather, Gregg Rolie and Todd Rundgren. Lukather has also collaborated on a forthcoming new solo album from Starr.

Titled 'The Voice, The Guitar, The Songs,' this tour features two hall of famers who had never worked together before. Rod Stewart and Carlos Santana met up on stage back in May for a scorching version of Etta James' 'I'd Rather Go Blind,' and that song has become a centerpiece of this on-going tour.

Styx, Foreigner, and Don Felder aren't just sharing the stage for the Soundtrack of Summer tour. They also got together and recorded a new version of 1976's 'Hotel California,' which Felder co-wrote for the Eagles. Styx and Foreigner are alternating as closing act, with Felder serving as the opener.

Toto and Michael McDonald, who collaborated on the 1986 hit ballad 'I'll be Over You,' reunite on a shared bill. Toto has just released a CD/DVD concert recording from last year's 35th anniversary tour, and are at work on a new album -- their first since '06. McDonald's last album was in '08.

Yes completed a new album called 'Heaven and Earth' before hitting the road. The focus of these shows will be their 1971 and 1972 albums 'Fragile' and 'Close to the Edge,' but a smattering of new songs -- their first with lead singer Jon Davison -- will also be included.

We just might have saved the best for last! Jeff Beck will play a set, followed by another from ZZ Top, and then the two will meet up for what promises to be a series of epic collaborations. Beck is at work on a new album; ZZ Top released 'La Futura' in 2012. Their only previous on-stage collaborations were in 2009-10.