Newport Folk Festival—58 Years Later, On July 25th, 1965, amidst an atmosphere brimming with anticipation, Bob Dylan stepped onto the Newport Folk Festival stage. The audience, composed of devoted folk music enthusiasts, eagerly awaited the familiar strumming of his acoustic guitar. But as the first notes reverberated through the air, something remarkable unfolded. Dylan plugged in his guitar, surrounded himself with a band, and unleashed a wave of amplified sound that left the crowd in awe.
This bold departure from his traditional acoustic folk roots signaled a turning point in Dylan’s career and a seismic shift in the music industry. The walls that separated genres and expectations came crashing down as he fearlessly embraced the power of electricity. His haunting voice, combined with the raw energy of the band, created a sonic landscape that defied categorization and captivated audiences worldwide.
Dylan’s setlist that night was a carefully curated blend of his folk classics and newly birthed songs that reflected his evolving artistic vision. From the poignant “Mr. Tambourine Man” to the raucous “Like a Rolling Stone,” he painted vivid portraits with his lyrics, challenging the status quo and stirring the collective conscience of a generation.
Bob Dylan with the Paul Butterfield Blues Band and Al Kooper at the Newport Folk Festival 1965 This was the second of three songs in the famous ‘Dylan goes electric’ controversy at Newport, played right after ‘Maggie’s Farm’, and before ‘Phantom Engineer’. He then left the stage and came back to play two more songs on an acoustic guitar.
The impact of Dylan’s Newport performance rippled far beyond that summer night. It became a symbol of artistic rebellion and a catalyst for change. He shattered the expectations of what a folk musician could be and opened the floodgates for a new wave of songwriters and performers to explore uncharted territories.
Looking back, we celebrate not only the musical brilliance of Bob Dylan but also the enduring spirit of innovation and artistic courage that he embodied. His Newport Folk Festival performance stands as a testament to the transformative power of music and its ability to challenge conventions, provoke thought and inspire generations to come.
As we honour the 58th anniversary of this monumental event, let us remember the timeless melodies and profound lyrics that continue to resonate with audiences today. Bob Dylan’s 1965 Newport Folk Festival performance remains etched in our collective memory as a milestone in music history, forever reminding us of the extraordinary power of an artist unafraid to forge their own path.
Bob Dylan – vocals, guitar, harmonica, Mike Bloomfield – electric guitar Al Kooper – organ Elvin Bishop/Jerome Arnold (Unknown?) – bass guitar Sam Lay – drums electrified one half of his audience, and electrocuted the other
Take a deep dive into “Like a Rolling Stone” in the Columbia Records Gallery.
The Fat Angel Sings 