In our eyes Bob’s greatest contribution was providing space for a band to become The Band….
(In our Last Waltz graduation, Bob was voted most successful. As true in 1976 as it will be just in 2076. Particularly with the recent sale of his catalog to Universal Music for $300 million. We’re currently before the flood of music, movies & merch as UM recoups their hefty – but very wise – investment. I’m most excited about Bob Dylan branded religion!)
But what else can be said about Bob Dylan that hasn’t already been written, recorded or turned into a Scorsese documentary? Even Bob’s concert intros sum up his history pretty concisely:
“The poet laureate of rock ‘n’ roll. The voice of the promise of the ’60s counterculture. The guy who forced folk into bed with rock, who donned makeup in the ’70s and disappeared into a haze of substance abuse, who emerged to ‘find Jesus,’ who was written off as a has-been by the end of the ’80s, and who suddenly shifted gears and released some of the strongest music of his career beginning in the late ’90s. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Columbia recording artist Bob Dylan.”
That’s our Bob. Not pulling any punches and laying everything out there, but always leaving you with so many questions. You’re never really sure if you’re in on the joke or if the joke’s on you.
Neil Young knows something about Dylan’s jokes. Apparently Young’s “Heart of Gold” didn’t sit right with Dylan.
The only time it bothered me that someone sounded like me was when I was living in Phoenix, Arizona, in about ’72 and the big song at the time was “Heart of Gold.” I used to hate it when it came on the radio. I always liked Neil Young, but it bothered me every time I listened to “Heart of Gold.” I think it was up at number one for a long time, and I’d say, “Shit, that’s me. If it sounds like me, it should as well be me.”
Bob Dylan, Spin 1985
That’s why one of Dylan’s most commercially successful songs, written in 1973, seems like more than just a sentimental lullaby for his kids. It appears that the “poet Laurette of rock ‘n’ roll” conjured up all his powers to also make “Forever Young,” a diss track to his friend, Neil Young.
May your song always be sung
And may you stay
Forever young.
(Funny thing is the success of Harvest and “Heart of Gold” weighed heavily on Neil leading to dark personal times, but incredibly creative times with his Ditch Trilogy.)
Maybe Neil’s in on the joke, he has played “Forever Young” live. Guess it’s easy to take the high road when you’ve already climbed out of a ditch.
And if Bob had any grudges, they didn’t seem to last long. In March of 1975, more than a year before The Last Waltz, Bob, Neil and three-fifths of The Band joined together for Bill Graham’s 1975 S.N.A.C.K. benefit concert.
Luckily both Bob and Neil figured out the formula for longevity and have continued to share the stage together. By the time Dylan’s 30th Anniversary Concert came around – now almost 30 years ago!! – it seemed like everyone cleaned up their act.
Both Bob and Neil have even covered the other at some point in their careers…which really must confuse casual fans. Neil includes “Blowing In the Wind” and “All Along the Watchtower” in his sets at times. Bob surprisingly covered Neil’s “Old Man” more than 30 times during his 2002 tour. (Again, not sure if that’s just another one of Bob’s jokes.)
May Bob Dylan stay forever young. And may Neil Young stay forever Dylan.
What are your favorite Dylan moments? Favorite songs, covers, feuds, philosophies?
Along with this week’s lengthy playlist, we have a recommended listening & viewing to help celebrate Bob’s 80th birthday!
Most recommendations are around the Blood On The Tracks / Desire period. Post Band-reunion, pre-Jesus.
If you can only listen to one studio recording: Blood On The Tracks
If you can only listen to one live recording: Bootleg Vol. 5 – Rolling Thunder
If you can only watch one documentary: Rolling Thunder Review: A Bob Dylan Story by Martin Scorsese. This is when you can feel the rejuvenated raw power of a possessed poet.
If you can only listen to one full Dylan cover album: Odetta Sings Dylan
(But there are SO many good ones so here are our top 8 other than Odetta. I’m Not There is the best eclectic mix of artist. Brothers and Sisters is Dylan’s Gospel glorified. Tangled Up In Blues is the most rockin’. Grateful Dead’s Postcards of the Hanging and Garcia Plays Dylan make up for the awful Dylan & The Dead though they severely stretch out already long songs. Chimes of Freedom seems like a sequel to I’m Not There but we’re here for it! Finally, Dylan’s ’80s era epics are getting recognition. Whether or not that’s a good thing is another one for the scholars to debate.)
If you want to take the deep dive: Bob Dylan: Album by Album podcast by Fuelled by Coffee. Super immersive look into each album. A great way to really appreciate the genius of Bob.
Finally, if you want to learn more about the Universal Music deal and what that means for music as we know it: NYTimes Popcast
Happy listening and happy birthday, Bob!
*This week’s playlist is semi-chronological based on when songs were written or released, but with all things Dylan, it’s complicated.
Rock 'n' Roll Storytime #RnRST 
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