WALK THIS WAY

BOSTON - Stubborn clouds and early showers didn't deter thousands of Fourth of July revelers from turning out for fireworks, the Boston Pops and Aerosmith. "What could be more iconically American than rock 'n' roll?" said Boston Pops conductor Keith Lockhart, hours before he shared the stage with Steven Tyler and guitarist Joe Perry. "Arguably, Boston's two most famous bands are the Pops and Aerosmith."Tyler pranced onstage in a black-and-leopard-print open shirt with tight white pants and an American flag bandana flowing from his microphone. Tyler danced with Lockhart during the band's "Walk This Way," singing the line "give me a kiss" and then deadpanning to Lockhart: "not you."The nationally televised gala also included talk show host Dr. Phil McGraw and his wife Robin McGraw as masters of ceremonies, singing group Rockapella, and Renese King.Local American Idol finalist 17-year-old Ayla Brown opened the show with "The Star-Spangled Banner."State police estimated 450,000 to 500,000 people gathered for the concert and 23-minute pyro-musical fireworks extravaganza near the Charles River.