Wow! I’m watching Bob Dylan in Newport (1963-65). This PBS show is fabulous!
I first saw Bob Dylan live in 1965. I was 16 and anxiously sitting in the first row when he performed in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It was the very first tour he brought a rock band to accompany him in the second half of the concert. (The first hour was all folk music, the second half was his then new folk/rock sound).
And it was, without a doubt, one of the best concerts I ever attended. And all these years later, I still remember many of the little details. Dylan in a bluish/purple velvet suit playing his guitar and wailing on his harmonica. A tiny little man with incredible pearls of poetic wisdom coming from every song. I have to say, I was overcome with admiration back then for his musical genius and profound lyrics.
Decades later in 2016, I was not surprised that he became the 12th Nobel Laureate from the United States. His creativity was always extraordinary.
I remember comparing Dylan to a modern day Shakespeare back in 1967 (My first year of college), and getting the only A in the class on my paper. The professor was an unusual combination of a 1950’s beatnik and an arrogant intellectual. She told me I was the only student not afraid to push boundaries. I wasn’t even aware that I was doing that because I had always written what I thought or felt. (I’m afraid of a lot of things in life, but expressing my thoughts was never something I shied away from). So I was rather stunned when she told me I was bold. Especially, since I was the only freshman in a class filled with upper class-men.
Watching the Bob Dylan special had me recalling some pretty marvelous memories from my youth. Listening to his music while watching old footage of him singing my favorite songs was nostalgic and wonderful.
There are some people in this world who have an impact on your life. Dylan was one of those brilliant souls who mesmerized me with his gift of word usage and melodies. He made me more aware of the political issues of the times and how, by using our voices, we could positively change social conditions. ❤️✌️🎸🫶
“I consider myself a poet first and a musician second. I live like a poet and I’ll die like a poet.”
Bob Dylan
Lesleykluchin 