July 7: Bob Dylan live on Wembley in London 1984 – Highway 61 Revisited




Photo: Clive Dixon

Oh God said to Abraham, “Kill me a son”
Abe says, “Man, you must be puttin’ me on”
God say, “No.” Abe say, “What?”
God say, “You can do what you want Abe, but
The next time you see me comin’ you better run”
Well Abe says, “Where do you want this killin’ done?”
God says, “Out on Highway 61”

…when Dylan bounded out onstage later that evening, wearing a black frock coat and sporting a shock of wild, curly hair, he looked, from a distance, like nothing less than a holy man possessed. And from the moment he and his band (ex-Faces‘ keyboard player Ian McLagan, ex-Stone the Crows drummer Colin Allen, bassist Greg Sutton and ex-Rolling Stone Mick Taylor) broke into an electrifying Chuck Berryish version of “Highway 61,” it was clear that Dylan was once again a devoted rock & roller. Moreover, his voice – full of passionate declamations and dramatic vocal leaps, and displaying an emotional palette that ranged from proud anger to unabashed tenderness – immediately brought his audience back to the days of Highway 61 Revisited and Blonde on Blonde.
– Rolling Stone Magazine

Dylan played some of the biggest and best known European music venues including Schaerbeek Football Stadium in Brussels, Belgium, Ullevi Stadion in Gothenburg, Sweden, St. James Park in Newcastle, England, Wembley Stadium in London, England, Slane Castle in County Meath, Ireland.

His band included ex-Rolling Stone Mick Taylor on guitar, ex-Faces’ keyboard player Ian McLagan, drummer Colin Allen and bassist Greg Sutton.

Dylan was joined by several major musicians on the tour including Carlos Santana (all concerts; Santana was an opening act), Joan Baez (Hamburg, Munich and Copenhagen), Hugues Aufray (Paris and Grenoble), Pino Daniele (Milan 24 June 1984),  Van Morrison (Paris, London and County Meath), Eric Clapton (London), Chrissie Hynde (London), Bono (County Meath), Leslie Dowdall (County Meath) and Steve Wickham (County Meath).

Real Live was released in the winter 1984 which documented Dylan’s 1984 summer, released by Columbia Records. Six songs from the album were recorded at Wembley Stadium on July 7, two songs were recorded at St. James Park on July 5 and another two were recorded at Slane Castle, Ireland on July 8
– Wikipedia

 

Wembley Stadium
London, England
7 July 1984

Musicians:

  • Bob Dylan (vocal & guitar)
  • Mick Taylor (guitar)
  • Ian McLagan (keyboards)
  • Greg Sutton (bass)
  • Colin Allen (drums)

Well Georgia Sam he had a bloody nose
Welfare Department they wouldn’t give him no clothes
He asked poor Howard where can I go
Howard said there’s only one place I know
Sam said tell me quick man I got to run
Ol’ Howard just pointed with his gun
And said that way down on Highway 61

Well Mack the Finger said to Louie the King
I got forty red, white and blue shoestrings
And a thousand telephones that don’t ring
Do you know where I can get rid of these things
And Louie the King said let me think for a minute son
And he said yes I think it can be easily done
Just take everything down to Highway 61

Now the fifth daughter on the twelfth night
Told the first father that things weren’t right
My complexion she said is much too white
He said come here and step into the light, he says hmm you’re right
Let me tell the second mother this has been done
But the second mother was with the seventh son
And they were both out on Highway 61

Now the rovin’ gambler he was very bored
He was tryin’ to create a next world war
He found a promoter who nearly fell off the floor
He said I never engaged in this kind of thing before
But yes I think it can be very easily done
We’ll just put some bleachers out in the sun
And have it on Highway 61