..Dylan, who is interviewed backstage at Wembley by Martha Quinn for MTV. The interview lasts over half an hour. Dylan is extremely talkative, discussing such matters as his early days at the Cafe Wha, the recording of Infidels, and his attitude toward videos. MTV broadcasts very little of the interview. At the end of the interview, Dylan tells Quinn that she asked some really good questions.
~Clinton Heylin (Bob Dylan: A Life in Stolen Moments Day by Day 1941-1995)
Martha Quinn: Will this tour help you reach a new generation? Bob Dylan: I don’t reach anybody. They find me. They find me. It’s not for me to go out and reach somebody. If they can find me, they find me, and if they don’t, they don’t. That’s the way it’s always been. I don’t think it’s gonna change now just because I’m such an old man and it’s nineteen-eighty… what is it?
7 July 1984
Martha Quinn interview for MTV,
Wembley Stadium backstage, London, England
An incredible audience recording of a powerhouse performance. The title is taken from the all new lyrics in The Man In Me. ..The sound quality is as good as many soundboards. This is definitely one to have in any collection. ~bobsboots.com
The sound is a bit low on this one, so crank it up, put on your headphones and enjoy. I’ve listened to this recording hundreds of times on my walks, it’s a stellar performance. It is really good.
…but there is a new release “out there” that corrects the volume issue, and it is a good upgrade in other respects as well.
“The highlight of the show is perhaps one of the all time greatest versions of “All Along The Watchtower”. The song’s melody opens on the flute and gives way to a duet between David Mansfield on violin and Billy Cross on lead guitar, trading off solos between the verses until it ends with a scorching violin solo. Rarely has anything else been heard in rock and even Dylan sounds impressed as he introduces Mansfield at the end of the piece. ”
– CollectorMusicReviews
My highlights are Man in me, Masters of war, All along the watchtower and One more cup of coffee, but there are so many good that it is hard to choose.
Pavillon de Paris Paris, France 6 July 1978
Bob Dylan (vocal & guitar)
Billy Cross (lead guitar)
Alan Pasqua (keyboards)
Steven Soles (rhythm guitar, backup vocals)
David Mansfield (violin & mandolin)
Steve Douglas (horns)
Jerry Scheff (bass)
Bobbye Hall (percussion)
Ian Wallace (drums)
Helena Springs, Jo Ann Harris, Carolyn Dennis (background vocals)
Playing his first show in Newcastle in 18 years, and to an English-speaking audience for the first time on this tour, Dylan clearly enjoys the experience. One highlight is a lengthy “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door,” Dylan’s harmonica dueling with Santana’s guitar. The next day the Newcastle Evening Chronicle proclaims that, “Dylan the magician had breathed the kiss of life all over his work.” The concert is recorded officially, and “License to Kill” and “Tombstone Blues” both feature on Real Live.
~Clinton Heylin (Bob Dylan: A Life in Stolen Moments Day by Day 1941-1995)
Dylan, who would fly in from France on his private jet, would be supported by Santana and Geordie favourites Lindisfarne. Tickets for the show cost £11 and the turnstiles opened hours before the concert, for once hammering the touts and forcing them to sell at well below face value.
On a pleasant evening, as the sun began to set, the legendary singer, then aged 43, took to the stage. The Chronicle reported: “He came, he sang, he conquered… Bob Dylan won the hearts of Northern fans – all 25,000 of them – at St James’ Park last night.
The sea of fans were calmed by his strange nasal tones echoing round the terraces, but surged with applause at every pause.“The times they have been a-changing for Dylan fans. For many, marijuana has given way to middle-aged spreads, and beads to balding heads.
But ageing hippies made up just part of the crowd which proved that Dylan now has universal appeal. The majority were just ordinary young people who came to enjoy the music. As soon as the gates opened, a carnival atmosphere descended upon St James’ Park.
Bare-chested fans were soon jogging with joy in the blazing sun to the vibrant music of support groups Lindisfarne and Santana.After the show, one 37-year-old fan, told the Chronicle it was the fourth time he’d seen the singer. “He never loses his old magic. He looks like a scruffy little man on stage – but he happens to be a genius.
Three decades on, the Kings Of Leon recently became the latest act to rock St James’ Park, but for those who watched the legendary Bob Dylan plying his trade there all those years ago, it was a show they will never forget it.
– The Chronicle
Barbecues are the epitome of summer and it’s nice to spice these shindigs up with unique barbecue ideas every once in a while! Of course any barbecue is great. They have all the best parts I could think of: friends, family, drinks, food, relaxation and fun! But it’s even better if you do a Bob Dylan themed barbeque! Here are some suggestions. If you do this and send us pictures we promise to post them on alldylan.
Music:
We have to have music and this is my suggestions. I’ve chosen some summer songs, some food and drink songs and some songs I just think would be nice to hear on a Bob Dylan BBQ.
BOB: Now, look, someone is coming up the road, boys.
(knock, knock)
MAVIS STAPLES: Hey, hey! Hey there, Bobby!
BOB: Hey, it’s Mavis Staples!
MAVIS; Hey fellows! What’s Up? Aw, it’s good to see all of you.
My goodness, Bobby you got a nice place here!
BOB: Well, welcome to California, Mavis!
MAVIS: Thank ya much! Whoa, you got a nice view!
BOB: Yeeah, it is. You can sit on this porch,
and look right straight into Ha-wa-ii.
MAVIS: Yeah, I was over in them foothills.
BOB: (perplexed) Why? MAVIS: I was looking for me some fuel. I’m kind of hungry now. Don’t you got anything to eat? BOB: Well I’m sure we do. Momma, we have anything to eat? WOMAN’S VOICE: Sure, we got plenty of chicken out there in the yard. BOB: Well we’re gonna go knock a few of ’em off and fry ’em up.
BOB: Well, Mavis, I’ve had the blues.
MAVIS: Aw Bobby, don’t tell me you got the blues!
BOB: Uh hum I’ve been up all night laying in bed, had insomnia, reading Snoozeweek.
MAVIS: Oh, Snoozeweek! That ain’t gonna get rid of no blues.
BOB: Umh umh
MAVIS: We gotta do some singing, let’s do some singing
BOB: Aw … yeah, let’s do that.
MAVIS: Sing about it, you know.