On Friday night, Josh Homme gave one of his first live performances since Queens of the Stone Age abruptly canceled their tour last summer so the singer/guitarist could undergo an unspecified emergency surgery. Homme appeared at the star-studded L.A. wildfire benefit concert led by Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith at the 300-capacity Aviator Nation Dreamland bar in Malibu, CA.

In addition to Homme, the lineup included Smith’s RHCP bandmate Anthony Kiedis, Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo, Guns N’ Roses bassist Duff McKagan, former Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony, Cheap Trick singer/guitarist Robin Zander, Rival Sons singer Jay Buchanan, singer-songwriter Patty Smyth, and even tennis legend John McEnroe.

Homme emerged halfway through the show to take lead vocals on Elton John‘s “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road”, which QOTSA covered for the Revamp: Reimagining the Songs of Elton John & Bernie Taupin tribute album in 2018. Forgoing his guitar, Homme looked healthy as he confidently strutted the minuscule stage to David Bowie‘s “Let’s Dance”—even if he did miss a cue or two—before wrapping his appearance with INXS‘ “Don’t Change”.

Watch Josh Homme cover Elton John, David Bowie, and INXS below in one of his first public performances since Queens of the Stone Age canceled their tour last summer. He previously participated in a tribute concert for his former Queens (and Screaming Trees) bandmate Mark Lanegan in December.

Chad Smith & Friends w/ Josh Homme — “Let’s Dance” (David Bowie) — 2/28/25

[Video: csilver522]

Queens of the Stone Age previously went on the shelf following the Villians tour in 2018 up until the rollout of the band’s latest album In Times New Roman… in 2023. In an April 2023 interview with Revolver, Homme revealed he was diagnosed with an unspecified form of cancer in 2022 and underwent successful surgery to remove it, spending the following year recovering.

With In Times New Roman… came the worldwide The End is Nero Tour, which was abruptly cut short in July 2024 so Homme could return to the U.S. for emergency surgery. The band has not performed since the I-Days festival in Italy on July 6th and is scheduled to return to the stage for a two-night run in Boston on June 10th and 11th. Find Queens of the Stone Age tickets and tour dates here.