My Dad's First Dylan Show

It was fifty years ago today

October 30, 1975, War Memorial Auditorium, Plymouth, MA, USA. I have heard many fans say if they could travel back in time to one of Bob Dylan’s shows, they would take anything from The Rolling Thunder Revue from its initial run in the New England fall. My father was there for its inception, accompanying his best friend, a lifelong Dylan fan. I regret to inform you it was my father’s last Dylan show. Like my dad, I also went to my first Dylan show with my best friend, basically just to hang out. I didn’t attend another Dylan show for 18 years.

In the interim, I did fall in love with a few of his 60’s albums, but I had not heard him live until I picked up The Bootleg Series Vol. 5: Bob Dylan Live 1975, The Rolling Thunder Revue. It was an ear-opening experience. My response to hearing it was visceral and immediate. I simply have not been the same since.

The picture above was taken by Ken Regan at the former North Falmouth Dinner, in case you were wondering what they were eating while recording Disc 3 - Seacrest Motel Rehearsals, Falmouth, MA – October 29, 1975 of Bob Dylan – The Rolling Thunder Revue: The 1975 Live Recordings. Seventeen years later I stayed with my family at The Seacrest, enjoying my continental breakfast where Allen Ginsberg read his poetry and Bob performed a piano and drum led “Simple Twist of Fate”, as I was delighted to learn while watching Rolling Thunder Revue: A Bob Dylan Story by Martin Scorsese.

Now both of my parents have come to appreciate how special Bob Dylan is through me. I particularly enjoy seeing their reactions to hearing him cover some of their favorite music. Sharing The Philosophy of Modern Song with them has been one of my most cherished experiences along my Dylan journey. They have introduced me to so many incredible artists, it’s the least I can do.