Aerosmith performs at KAABOO in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
The last time Aerosmith performed for a crowd was Sept. 5, 2015 — at Lubyanskaya Square in Moscow, celebrating the anniversary of the Russian capital’s 12th century founding.
Saturday, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band led by Steven Tyler was back in the U.S.A. — at KAABOO in Del Mar.
With an after-dusk set on the main Sunset Cliffs stage, the legendary group lived up to what Tyler once said: “We just wanted to be the biggest thing that ever walked the planet, the greatest rock band that ever was.”
They gave their all while saying a farewell tour next year would end it all.
Lenny Kravitz performs at KAABOO in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
Other headliners on Day 2 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds included Lenny Kravitz, Flo Rida and Third Eye Blind.
Aerosmith bass player Tom Hamilton earlier told George Varga of The San Diego Union-Tribune that the group would do only one day of rehearsal for the KAABOO show.
“But it’s not like nobody thinks about it, and then — all of a sudden — we just show up and then we play,” said the supergroup’s co-founder. “Everybody, on their own, practices to be ready for the songs.
“So when we do go for that one day of rehearsals, everybody really knows what they’re doing. So that one day is like an emergency day, where — if any mistakes sneak in that have been lying in wait, we can address them. We really could go up without rehearsing, but that would be stupid.”
Sunday’s top acts for KAABOO’s finale include the Avett Brothers, Jack Johnson and Cheech and Chong.
Lenny Kravitz performs at KAABOO in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
Within the Artwork area, containing exhibits, people painted messages on a wall sponsored by the San Diego Museum of Art. Photo by Chris Stone
Performers atop poles greeted visitors at KAABOO entrance in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
Grandview Stage had a sandy viewing area at KAABOO in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
Bask — a pool in infield near Grandview Stage — offered swimming and cabanas for an extra charge. Photo by Chris Stone
Woman watches Matt Costa perform in Paddock area at Del Mar Fairgrounds at KAABOO. Photo by Chris Stone
Crowd listens to Matt Costa in Paddock area at KAABOO in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
Matt Costa performs at KAABOO in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
Third Eye Blind performs at KAABOO in Del Mar. Photo by Chris StoneStephan Jenkins, lead singer of Third Eye Blind performs at KAABOO Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
Stephan Jenkins, lead singer of Third Eye Blind performs at KAABOO Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
Stephan Jenkins, lead singer of Third Eye Blind performs at KAABOO Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
Stephan Jenkins, lead singer of Third Eye Blind performs at KAABOO Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
Lenny Kravitz performs at KAABOO in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
Lenny Kravitz performs at KAABOO in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
Lenny Kravitz performs at KAABOO in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
Backup singer for Lenny Kravitz, Jessie Wagner. Photo by Chris Stone
Stephan Jenkins, lead singer of Third Eye Blind performs at KAABOO Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
Aerosmith performs at KAABOO in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
Aerosmith performs at KAABOO in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
Rick Dufay and Steven Tyler of Aerosmith perform at KAABOO in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
Rick Dufay of Aerosmith performs at KAABOO in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
Aerosmith performs at KAABOO in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
Steven Tyler of Aerosmith performs at KAABOO in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
Aerosmith performs at KAABOO in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
Aerosmith performs at KAABOO in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
Aerosmith performs at KAABOO in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
Aerosmith performs at KAABOO in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
Steven Tyler and Tom Hamilton of Aerosmith perform at KAABOO in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
Aerosmith performs at KAABOO in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
Lenny Kravitz performs at Kaaboo in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
Lenny Kravitz performs at KAABOO in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
Backup singer for Lenny Kravitz, Jessie Wagner performs. Photo by Chris Stone
Lead guitarist Craig Ross performs withLenny Kravitz performs at KAABOO in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
Backup singer for Lenny Kravitz, Jessie Wagner performs. Photo by Chris Stone
Lenny Kravitz performs at KAABOO in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
Gail Ann Dorsey, a Lenny Kravitz gutarist, performs at KAABOO in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
Karl Denson of San Diego performs with Lenny Kravitz performs at KAABOO in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
Third Eye Blind performs at KAABOO in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
Art supplies at KAABOO in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
Art exhibit at KAABOO in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
Selfies at KAABOO in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
Reflections at KAABOO in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
Performer at KAABOO in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
Food tent at 2016 KAABOO in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
Audience members at the Gin Blossom concert wave their hands to the music. Photo by Chris Stone
Stage crew watch the projection of Lenny Kravitz during the performance. Photo by Chris Stone
Aerosmith performs at KAABOO in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
People enjoy the Bask area with a pool near the Westview stage at 2016 KAABOO. Photo by Chris Stone
