The 1969 festival was in a different league, a two-day event that was held just a few weeks after Woodstock took place; the Isle of Wight could boast having both Bob Dylan and the Band to headline their affair.
So 46 years ago today, Bob Dylan arrived on stage at the Isle of Wight Festival, his first scheduled public performance in more than three
years. Dylan appeared in a loose white suit, white shoes, white tie and yellow shirt, behind a sparkling stainless steel chin-height barricade of microphones. The stomping and the cheering and the crying and the crush toward the front-stage area was still strong as Dylan began his first song, “She Belongs to Me”... And the rest is history…
Among the support bands were Blodwyn Pig, the VASTLYunderrated Eclection, Family, Fat Mattress, Free, The Nice, Tom Paxton, The Moody Blues, Pentangle and way down the bill King Crimson a few weeks after their appearance at Hyde Park with the Rolling Stones.
It also included three artists that had played at Woodstock, which of course at this point had not crossed over the line to mythology to become the stuff of legend; the album and the movie were still months away from release. Richie Havens, Joe Cocker and The Who – the second day’s headliner – are the three acts that played both festivals. Roger Daltry was wearing his famous fringed jacket, and Pete Townshend was in his white boiler suit but much of the effect was lost as it was still light when they played.
The Friday was very much the acoustic/folk day but given the fact that Dylan and the Band were the headliners that day tickets cost £2; Dylan was reportedly paid £35,000. For the Sunday, when the Moody Blues were second on the bill, a ticket was a mere £1.25. A ticket for the entire weekend was £2.50.
John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, as well as Keith Richards and Charlie Watts were all there to see Dylan play. George wrote a song inspired by the event and dedicated to Dylan, ‘Behind That Locked Door’ appeared on his All Things Must Pass album
The Fat Angel Sings 