Bob Dylan: 6 Brilliant live performances from the year 1997

A lot of people don’t like the road, but it’s as natural to me as breathing. I do it because I’m driven to do it, and I either hate it or love it. I’m mortified to be on the stage, but then again, it’s the only place where I’m happy. It’s the only place you can be who you want to be.
~Bob Dylan (John Pareles Interview, Sept. 1997)

I do a certain amount of concerts every year. But it’s not a constant never-ending tour. A part of me doesn’t wanna do it at all. Just want to quit right away. Playing is a job. My trade. Like you’re journalists. You are heading for the next news item, I’m heading for the next town.
~Bob Dylan (London press conference, 4 Oct 1997)

Never Ending Tour 1997

Start date February 9, 1997
End date December 20, 1997
Legs 6
No. of shows 11 in Asia
78 in North America
4 in Europe

93 in Total

Please use the Comments section to  post your personal favourites from 1997.

Recreation and Convocation Center
State University Of New York At Albany
Albany, New York
18 April 1997

  • Bob Dylan (vocal & guitar)
  • Bucky Baxter (pedal steel guitar & electric slide guitar)
  • Larry Campbell (guitar)
  • Tony Garnier (bass)
  • David Kemper (drums & percussion)

Pretty Peggy-O (trad.)

As we marched out, to Fennario
As we marched out, to Fennario
Well, our captain fell in love with a lady like a dove
And he called her by name Pretty Peggy-O<

William T. Boylan Auditorium
Monmouth University
West Long Branch, New Jersey
20 April 1997

  • Bob Dylan (vocal & guitar)
  • Bucky Baxter (pedal steel guitar & electric slide guitar)
  • Larry Campbell (guitar)
  • Tony Garnier (bass)
  • David Kemper (drums & percussion)

This Wheel´s on Fire

If your mem’ry serves you well
We were goin’ to meet again and wait
So I’m goin’ to unpack all my things
And sit before it gets too late
No man alive will come to you
With another tale to tell
But you know that we shall meet again
If your mem’ry serves you well
This wheel’s on fire
Rolling down the road
Best notify my next of kin
This wheel shall explode!

Fisher Auditorium
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania
Indiana, Pennsylvania
22 April 1997

  • Bob Dylan (vocal & guitar)
  • Bucky Baxter (pedal steel guitar & electric slide guitar)
  • Larry Campbell (guitar)
  • Tony Garnier (bass)
  • David Kemper (drums & percussion)

Pledging My Time

Well, early in the mornin’
’Til late at night
I got a poison headache
But I feel all right
I’m pledging my time to you
Hopin’ you’ll come through, too



Hamilton College
Stanley Performing Arts Center
Utica, New York
24 April 1997

  • Bob Dylan (vocal & guitar)
  • Bucky Baxter (pedal steel guitar & electric slide guitar)
  • Larry Campbell (guitar)
  • Tony Garnier (bass)
  • David Kemper (drums & percussion)

My Back Pages

Crimson flames tied through my ears
Rollin’ high and mighty traps
Pounced with fire on flaming roads
Using ideas as my maps
“We’ll meet on edges, soon,” said I
Proud ’neath heated brow
Ah, but I was so much older then
I’m younger than that now

Dan and Ada Rice Athletic Center
Benedictine University
Lisle, Illinois
11 November 1997

  • Bob Dylan (vocal & guitar)
  • Bucky Baxter (pedal steel guitar & electric slide guitar)
  • Larry Campbell (guitar)
  • Tony Garnier (bass)
  • David Kemper (drums & percussion)

Cold Irons Bound

I’m beginning to hear voices and there’s no one around
Well, I’m all used up and the fields have turned brown
I went to church on Sunday and she passed by
My love for her is taking such a long time to die

El Rey Theater
Los Angeles, California
19 December 1997

  • Bob Dylan (vocal & guitar)
  • Bucky Baxter (pedal steel guitar & electric slide guitar)
  • Larry Campbell (guitar)
  • Tony Garnier (bass)
  • David Kemper (drums & percussion)

When I Paint My Masterpiece

Oh, the streets of Rome are filled with rubble
Ancient footprints are everywhere
You can almost think that you’re seein’ double
On a cold, dark night on the Spanish Stairs
Got to hurry on back to my hotel room
Where I’ve got me a date with Botticelli’s niece
She promised that she’d be right there with me
When I paint my masterpiece

Some recommended shows:

  • Tokyo, Japan – Feb 10, 1997
  • Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada – April 5, 1997
  • Albany, New York – April 18, 1997
  • Utica, New York – April 24, 1997
  • Wolf Trap Farm Park For The Performing Arts, Vienna, Virginia – August 24, 1997
  • Cardiff, Wales – October 3, 1997
  • Lisle, Illinois – November 11, 1997
  • Irving Plaza, New York, NY – December 8, 1997
  • El Rey, Los Angeles, CA – December 16, 1997
  • El Rey, Los Angeles, CA – December 19, 1997



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-Egil

Egil

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