Rock legends at Mid-State Fair

The annual California Mid-State Fair in Paso Robles kicked off its first three nights with three of rock’s greatest legends.

Aerosmith, Stevie Nicks and Bob Dylan took the stage July 25 to 27 to perform to a largely sunburnt Central Coast audience.

Aerosmith kicked off the fair’s entertainment sector Wednesday with almost two hours of pure head-banging, hair-flipping rock.

Steven Tyler emerged as a glamorized hobo, long coat and glittering scarves flailing as he effeminately strutted across the stage, garnering cheers from the crowd as only a hair-metal sex symbol could.

The band started off its set with the hit, “Love in an Elevator.” Tyler’s voice resonated through the stadium, as strong and powerful as it was when Aerosmith began producing hits approximately 30 years ago, despite Tyler’s March throat surgery to repair a blood vessel.

Other hits followed, including “Sweet Emotion,” “Dream On,” “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing,” “Walk This Way” and “Jaded.”

Tyler commanded a powerful onstage presence throughout the show, dancing, strutting and rocking across all sides of the stage while shedding layers of clothing. He used his microphone stand as both an air-guitar and as a support while pulling himself up with his arms, leaving his legs stretching into the air. At other times he thrust the mic into the crowd, urging fans to sing.

A true performer, Tyler segued from one song to the next by asking fans questions relating to the next number. He kept the crowd involved, asking “Oh you think so?” after applause, inciting more cheers.

While his mouth mostly dominated the video stream, Tyler made sure to give camera credit to the rest of the band, leaning on members as he sang and walked to the back of the stage during instrumental solos so cameras could focus on his band mates and project their images on the giant screens surrounding the stage.

The following night, Stevie Nicks charmed the crowd with a beautiful and personal performance. Her sweet, haunting voice pierced the hearts of fans, who Nicks thanked for staying with her throughout the years, addressing her audience as old friends.

She explained her songs as they related to moments in her life, giving fair-goers the inside scoop to the inspiration behind many of her lyrics, including “If Anyone Falls In Love,” “Dreams” and “Landslide.”

Nicks also took the time to introduce each of her band members, sharing a story about them with the audience which revealed their personalities or contributions, and also some inside jokes.

During the concert, Nicks underwent five costume changes, all conforming to the mostly black gypsy, boho-chic look she popularized during the 70s. Many fans attempted to imitate her look less-artfully.

Eye-catching graphics, displayed on the large screen behind the band, created a visual as well as auditory experience.

Nicks’ performance of “Landslide” featured a photo and video slideshow of Nicks over the years, as a child, a performing artist and a daughter. Nicks dedicated the song, which she wrote after a conversation with her father about her future, to the fathers of her fans.

On Friday, fair-goers experienced the way-too-cool whirlwind of Bob Dylan. He came, he played guitar, he rocked the keyboard, he blew on the harmonica, he sang, and he left.

Dylan failed to acknowledge the crowd until an elongated applause propelled him to face the stage once more for an encore.

“Thank you, friends,” he drawled as if his words were the lyrics to a song.

Dylan’s signature lazy, nasal voice was a little more raspy, a little more unintelligible, but definitely Dylan.

He spit out newer songs as well as classics, including “Let’s Get Stoned,” “Just Like A Woman,” “Lay Lady Lay” and “All Along the Watchtower,” as he lazily swayed back and forth to the beat of his band.

Fans celebrated Dylan’s iconic performance in different ways, some ballroom dancing down aisles, others rocking out in their seats, and others embracing marijuana (the drug Dylan is widely associated with and reportedly introduced to the Beatles).

No matter Dylan was a little self-absorbed, no matter he requested no close-up camera shots, and no matter he waited until the end of his set to nod to his fans.

Dylan knew he was good, and he proved it Friday.

Musical acts continued through the week, with Daughtry, Godsmack, the Jonas Brothers, Martina McBride, Dierks Bentley and Leann Rimes.

Besides enjoying sets from rock’s greatest, fair-goers could also go on carnival rides, play games and peruse a variety of goods offered by vendors, ranging from hot tubs to fur-covered riding chaps. They could also enjoy overpriced alcoholic beverages (a tall can of Budweiser cost $7), and overdose on chili cheese and a variety of fried foods.

Tonight the fair will feature a performance by the award-winning country group Rascal Flatts, for which tickets are still available.

Jazz musician Chris Botti will follow on Friday and country singer Phil Vassar will perform Saturday.

The annual California Mid-State Fair ends Sunday with two installments of “Monster Madness,” a monster truck and motocross show.

For fair and ticket information, visit www.midstatefair.com