John Mayer dedicates song to Katy Perry

John Mayer showed his softer side as he kicked off his new tour on Saturday (06Jul13) by dedicating a song to his pop star girlfriend Katy Perry.

The singer launched his Born and Raised World Tour at the Marcus Amphitheatre in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, marking his first solo headlining show since undergoing throat surgery last year (Aug12).

Mayer used a vocal-cord lubricating spray to help him get through his set, but told the crowd he was thrilled to be back onstage: "I've spent many, many months dreaming of this night. It's a long time coming."

He closed his set by singling out Perry, who was in the audience, and praised the I Kissed A Girl hitmaker for sticking by him during his recovery, reports RollingStone.com.

He explained, "She was so patient. (She took the time) to continue to get know me and love me," and dedicated the night's final song, A Face To Call Home, to "Katy, who is my face to call home".

The stars recently rekindled their on-again/off-again romance after splitting up most recently in March (13).