Bob Dylan, live from the Hollywood Bowl, California on 3rd September 1965. Following the release of the album “Highway 61 Revisited” just days earlier, this historically vital concert captures Bob Dylan at a point of no return. For the first part of the set he holds the audience rapt on his own, without performing any protest material, then brings on his band to play iconoclastic, ragged rock’n’roll. Originally broadcast on WNBC, it’s presented here together with background notes and images.
A favorite show of Dylan’s. His voice was more powerful, controlled and crisp than in any other concert of his career, in my opinion. Every track is punchy and flawless, but a few of the favorites are “Desolation Row” (incredible pronunciation), “Love Minus Zero/No Limit” (unique guitar strumming compared to other versions of this period and tear-jerking singing), “It Ain’t Me, Babe” (super performance of the tune–his voice on “no, no, no” is just divine, and the electric piano and drums are grooving) , and finally “Ballad Of A Thin Man” the organ is hypnotic and again, Dylan’s voice is just spot-on). The Hollywood Bowl concert was an absolutely wild show. This was only a month after Dylan went electric at Newport Folk Festival, and the crowds were hostile. “Fans” were rushing towards the stage, heckling the band, and throwing things. That isn’t to say it wasn’t lively and fun.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGGJd3zJzHk
Here are a few highlights: – Dylan hilariously responds to the piercing sound an airhorn coming from the audience. -At the conclusion of the Dylan epic “Desolation Row” (the second time he performed it in concert), a few girls shout at the top of their lungs, “IT’S SO GROOVY!”, before “Like A Rolling Stone,” Dylan pulls a 1965 Newport and asks the audience for a C harmonica (This was back when people just carry harmonicas around). The airhorn joke makes yet another appearance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqhSI4aLSjc
After the concert, Dylan hosted a massive party with over 300 guests and got to meet one of his idols Marlon Brando.
the Band Bob Dylan (vocal & electric guitar) Robbie Robertson (guitar) Al Kooper (organ) Harvey Brooks (bass) Levon Helm (drums)
Setlist: She Belongs To Me – To Ramona [CUT OUT FOR COPYRIGHT] – Gates Of Eden – It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue – Desolation Row – Love Minus Zero/No Limit – Mr. Tambourine Man [CUT OUT FOR COPYRIGHT] – Tombstone Blues – I Don’t Believe You (She Acts Like We Never Have Met) – From A Buick 6 – Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues – Maggie’s Farm [CUT OUT FOR COPYRIGHT] – It Ain’t Me, Babe – Ballad Of A Thin Man – Like A Rolling Stone
The Fat Angel Sings 