TEMECULA: Music legend Dylan performs at Pechanga
Fans young and old thrilled to see icon perform close to home
By Jeff Pack - Staff Writer | ∞
Bob Dylan fans and brothers-in-law Randy Worstell, of Lake Elsinore, left, and Leroy Quintana, of Chatsworth, wait for the concert featuring their hero to start at the Pechanga Resort and Casino on Thursday night. The two have seen Dylan in concert at various places around the world. (Photo by Steve Thornton - Staff Photographer) PECHANGA INDIAN RESERVATION ---- Bob Dylan, the iconic musician dubbed "the" folk singer-songwriter of the 1960s protest movement," performed Thursday night at Pechanga Resort & Casino.
It wasn't surprising that Dylan played to a packed house of 1,200 inside the casino's showroom; it wasn't even surprising that both presale tickets and general public tickets sold out in a combined 24 minutes.
What was surprising to many Dylan fans was that the music legend was even performing in Southwest County.
"My father-in-law called and said, 'You gotta see Bob Dylan once in your life,'" Temecula resident John Balland, 45, said. "This is a real treat to be able to see him here in town. I've been listening to him all my life. It is amazing."
There has never been a higher demand for a concert ticket at the casino, according to officials.
"Dylan has a legendary status, certainly," Pechanga Resort & Casino Public Relations Manager Robert Bledsoe said prior to the performance. "Quite frankly, anytime a seat dropped out and went back on sale, it was snatched up in seconds."
For Marta Bourne, of Corona, seeing Dylan perform had deep meaning.
"Bob Dylan changed my life," she said, sitting next to her husband, David. "He writes beautiful lyrics, he's very prophetic and he has led me on a beautiful life path."
Dylan Valenzuela, of San Marcos, came to the show with his father, Nestor. There's a pretty good reason why the 26-year-old Dylan was a fan.
"Obviously, I was named after him," Valenzuela said. "We've seen him perform three times together and it doesn't matter what age you are ---- young or old ---- you can listen to his music all day long, never hear the same song twice and it is all awesome music."
Born Robert Allen Zimmerman, Dylan has a career spanning more than 50 years. He's written hundreds of songs, more than 500 and counting, compiled 31 studio albums and dozens more live, compilation and concert albums.
Dylan has won Oscars, Grammys and Golden Globe awards and has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 1997, Dylan became the first rock star ever to receive Kennedy Center Honors, considered the nation's highest award for artistic excellence.
In 1999, he was included in Time magazine's "Time 100: The Most Important People of the Century," described by the magazine as "master poet, caustic social critic and intrepid, guiding spirit of the counterculture generation." In 2004, he was ranked just below The Beatles and ahead of Elvis Presley as Rolling Stone's second greatest music artist of all time in the magazine's "The Immortals: 100 Greatest Artists of All Time" list.
For a young musician like 18-year-old Temecula resident Alex Miranda, being in attendance for the concert was special.
"He's legendary, man," Miranda said. "I am really, really excited to see him perform. He's a brilliant musician, an amazing storyteller and legendary songwriter. I am a huge fan; I'm just in awe."
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Dylan wrote on Sep 5, 2008 9:19 AM:Just want to say thanks to those hundreds of raving idiots in the front rows for standing through the entire two-hour set. Hope you had fun. BTW, you don't get it!
Brian wrote on Sep 5, 2008 9:22 AM:If people want to go and listen to a man who has one of the worst ever singing voices then that is up to them.
As for the Time Magazine - they certainly got it wrong. Elvis Presley is far and away the Greatest and Most Important Musical Act of all-time.
hutch wrote on Sep 5, 2008 10:28 AM:A little history lesson is inline here. Grammy, Academy and Pulitizer awards. No one matches this. If you want a voice, listen to Clint Black and if you want and act, go to Circus Circus. But if you really understand the influence, then yes, there are for sure 2 icons and Elvis is still #1, and Rolling Stone does list E as #1 and Dylan as 2. As always for true Dylan fans, it goes beyond the sound and voice. BTY, the concert was another Dylan experience. Only my 10th, since Dec. of 65. Jeff Pack is on board as well, finally!
Edwyn wrote on Sep 6, 2008 3:10 AM:To say he cannot sing is like saying Picasso can't paint... it is silly. His voice is perfect for his genre- folk blues vernacular down home poetry.
If Caruso sang blues it would be silly. If a blues singer like Bob Dylan sang opera that too would be silly. I have followed Bob since the 60s and these same vacuous attacks on his voice were trotted out even back then.
SAUCE wrote on Sep 7, 2008 6:27 PM:"Dylan" I just wanted to say your welcome,
because I was one of "raving idiots" in the front row. Of the 400+ concerts that I've seen this is in the top four.Great
show,sound,& crowd(except for D the prude).As for "Mr. Bitterman" you have it all wrong,I DO get IT, that's why I was
front row & your just bitter....
Peace From Dana Point....
carole wrote on Sep 10, 2008 9:47 AM:I was there and I want to thank the idiot sitting next to me who screamed in my ear "Rolling Thunder" all night.
umm Dylan can't hear you and even if he did, I highly doubt he takes request from the audience. Also to guy in back of me who kept shouting pick it up already and rock, and why don't you pick up a fender" maybe people should do some research before they go to his concert and they would know he does not play a guiter at this time. If you want to "rock" go see ozzy.
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