Going Down Highway 61

It's been a while since I threw together a post. I left off somewhere in the mist of a Folk Rock mindset. Leaving where Donovan began and now going where the legend continues. The legend of course being none other than Bob Dylan. Now for the standard disclaimer. I'm not the hugest Dylan fan out there. In fact I have to be a mood to put anything on by him. That being said I respect the hell outta the man for his contribution to music. Further proof I'm not a fan, growing up we had a nickname for him, "Mumbles", it worked for Springsteen too. But enough with the back story, let's focus on the classic from '65, 'Highway 61 Revisited'.

Dylan was a Folk hero in the early 60's, perhaps best know for his hits, "The Times They Are a-Changing" and "Blowin' In The Wind". Folksy, thinking man's music. But for the better part of five decades now, Bob Dylan continues to leave his footprint on music. The man has won just about every music award out there, sold over 100 million records, in the Hall of Fame, I mean the man is a legend. Born in raised in Minnesota, Dylan relocated to New York in the 60's and began to change the face of music. Starting out as an acoustic Folk hero in the early 60's, Dylan caused a controversy when in '65 he decided to go electric. A move that shocked the music world and is still a big topic of debate today. In July of '65  though the first single from 'Highway 61 Revisited'  was released. "Like A Rolling Stone" became a huge hit in the US and the UK. Peaking at Number 2 on the US charts, the song would go on to become one of the most acclaimed songs ever. A few years later Jimi Hendrix would cover it at the Montery Pop Festival, the song leading up to the infamous Guitar smashing and eventually sacrifice. In addition to being one of the most popular Dylan records, it also features some great musicians on it, including Al Kooper and Mike Bloomfield. The latter would later play in The Paul Butterfield Blues Band and The Electric Flag, two bands that go under appreciated at times.

Whether you actually like Bob Dylan or not isn't really relevant. The fact the you can appreciate what he's done as a musician for five decades now is impressive. And just when you think you've heard the last of him, he somehow comes back and again reminds everyone of his influence. The man has been respected for years, ever for his worst records. He's played with countless talented musicians and introduced us to The Band all those years ago. I got the chance to see Dylan a few years back at my old job. I went into the show unsure of what to expect. I've heard the stories about the erratic shows, playing with his back to the crowd, walking out on gigs, etc. For the better part of two hours I watched a man, play in between his band, rarely speaking to the crowd, or even acknowledging them. It was interesting to say the least, but to see him play "All Along The Watchtower" and in that moment realize I was truly in the presence of Rock royalty, was and is something that I'll always remember.

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