Rock 'N' Roll Bands to Entertain at the Dixon May Fair

Brianna Boyd
Special to Dixon Patch

Rock and roll bands with classic hits that date back to the 60’s and 70’s will entertain thousands at this year’s Dixon May Fair.

The fair announced Monday its musical performers for May 5, the second day of what will be a five-day fair. John Kay and Steppenwolf will rock the May Fair arena with special guest Eric Burdon and the Animals. The artists join an already strong concert line-up for the 136th annual fair that includes country star Trace Adkins and Disney icon Selena Gomez.

Tickets will go on sale 10 a.m., Friday at the Dixon May Fair box office and online at www.ticketmaster.com Tickets are $39 and $25 for reserved seats and $19 for general admission. Prices include all-day admission into the fair.

Kay formed Steppenwolf in Los Angeles in 1967. Powered by his gritty vocals, the band’s blues-based rock burst upon an unsuspecting public in the summer of 1968, creating timeless classics that include “Born to Be Wild”, “Magic Carpet Ride”, “The Pusher” and “Rock Me”.

Following Kay’s decision to break up the band in the mid 1970’s, he embarked on a solo career that saw the release of albums  such as “Forgotten Songs and Unsung Heroes”, “My Sportin’ Life”, and “All in Good Time”.

John Kay and Steppenwolf were re-created in 1980. Several intensive years of touring followed and resulted in the rebuilding of the name. The group has released five albums since then and tours annually on a worldwide basis.

Burdon’s life has been a musical journey matched by few other performers in rock and roll music history. He has gone from the driving force of the grittiest British Invasion band to pioneering the San Francisco psychedelic rock scene. He also fronted WAR – the biggest funk band of the 1970’s – and came full circle to reunite with his original band, The Animals, for a series of projects and world-wide tours. Over the years, he has formed new groups of “Animals” and has released a series of studio and live CD’s and a DVD.

Hits from Eric Burdon and The Animals include an electrified version of “House of the Rising Sun”, “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood”, “We Gotta Get Out of This Place”, “It’s My Life”, “I’m Crying”, “Bring It On Home to Me” and “See See Rider”.

Tickets are also still available for the other two planned May Fair concerts. Country star Trace Adkins and special guest Merle Haggard will perform Friday, May 6. Selena Gomez and her band The Scene will take the stage May 7. Tickets are available at the May Fair box office and online at www.ticketmaster.com

The 136th annual Dixon May Fair will open Wednesday, May 4, and entertain thousands of visitors through Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 8. In prior years, the fair has been four days, but the fair board approved the addition of a fifth day in October.   For more information, visit www.dixonmayfair.com

Editor's Note: Brianna is the editor of the , who is also doing the publicity for the Dixon May Fair.