On the 15th, Dylan plays his first London concert in 12 years, enough of an event to warrant TV coverage on both the ITN and BBC News. He plays a standard set, with “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right” in the “variation slot.” The reviews, though, are anything but standard. The Daily lvlail headline says “The Greatest Concert I Have Ever Seen,” the London Times reviewer writes, “One of the best [concerts] to happen in London for years,” and even The Sun admits, “Dylan lives up to his legend.” In its next edition, Melody Maker includes an eight-page pull-out special comprising four reviews of the show.
~Clinton Heylin (Bob Dylan: A Life in Stolen Moments Day by Day 1941-1995)
Earls Court
London, England
15 June 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)