Bob Dylan Posts

Bob Dylan Manhole Design Contest

Common Language is sponsoring a competition for an artist interested in designing Bob Dylan-themed cast-iron manhole cover for Bob Dylan Way in Duluth, Minnesota. The manhole cover will be cast at the 10th North Shore Iron Pour, which will be held this summer in Duluth.

The artist selected will be given free instruction at the North Shore Iron Pour seminar and an honorarium of $300. They will see their cast iron manhole cover installed on Bob Dylan Way.

Dylanfest

What were the names of the people that formed the first Bob Dylan tribute band in Duluth, and where did they play? I suppose year would be good, too.

Another Side of Duluth Does Dylan

The third Duluth Does Dylan album will be released on Friday, May 27. The release party is at Rex Bar.

All profit from Friday’s door at the Rex will be donated to the Norshor Theatre renovation, and CD profits will go to the Bob Dylan Way Cultural Pathway effort. Show tickets are available at the Electric Fetus and the Fitger’s Beer Store — $8 in advance, $10 at the door.

Who is Bob Dylan to you?

MPR logo

Bob Dylan (aka Robert Zimmerman of Hibbing, MN) is turning 70 in May. In anticipation of the big day, we want to gather memories, stories and thoughts about Bob Dylan and his music. Thanks to his shape-shifting, the man and his music mean something different to nearly everyone.

Share your story here.

Should Bob Dylan retire?

A recent article in the Wall Street Journal asked whether 69-year-old Bob Dylan should retire from the concert stage.

However, Jon Jurgensen, author of the WSJ piece “When To Leave The Stage,” wasn’t zeroing in on Dylan’s age as the reason for the troubadour to cash in his musical 401k. Instead, much of Jurgensen’s essay was about Dylan’s voice, describing it as a “laryngitic croak.”

Wall Street Journal Article here.

Duluth Does Dylan 10 years later

DDDCoverThe album Duluth Does Dylan was first played for the public on Nov. 30, 2000, during the Starfire Lounge at Fitger’s Brewhouse. There was a big bus trip to St. Paul for a release party at the Turf Club, but no one remembers the details of that, I’m sure. The Ripsaw published the recording session photos below, shot by Linda Cadotte.

Hibbing calls for Bob Dylan to come home

The Iron Range Tourism Bureau has a new website called comehomebob.com.

Bob Dylan’s “Must Be Santa”

Harkening back to akjuneau’s post from when the album was first released, here’s Bob Dylan’s video single from his recent “Christmas in the Heart” album. What’s your take on the visuals as well as the audio? Will you be popping this in the rotation during your family mixer?

So, what’s your take on Dylan’s Christmas album?

Much has been written the past few days about Bob Dylan’s new Christmas album.

Anyone here in his birthplace care to weigh in?

Hibbing High School reunion makes international news

Last weekend was the 50th reunion of the Hibbing High School Class of 1959.

Why is that notable? In that class was Bobby Zimmerman, later to become Bob Dylan.

It appears Dylan did not show – but a British journalist did, and he wrote a pretty long story about it that’s posted on the Daily Telegraph Web site this morning.

From the Photo Archive: Bob Dylan and Paul Simon at Bayfront

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Bob Dylan and Paul Simon played a very muddy concert at Bayfront Festival Park on July 3, 1999. For some reason, I decided to wear a new pair of white sneakers. This photo is of my friend Chris’ shoes, but one of mine is creeping in on the bottom.

It was a great concert, and totally worth the destruction of a pair of shoes.

“I’ll give you a medal if you get out alive.”

“You’ll never see another town like Duluth.  It’s not a tourist destination, but it probably should be.  Depends what season you’re in there, though.  There are only two seasons:  damp and cold.  I like the way the hills tumble to the waterfront and the way the wind blows around the grain elevators. The train yards go on forever, too.  It’s old-age industrial, that’s what it is.  You’ll see it from the top of the hill for miles and miles before you get there.  You won’t believe your eyes.  I’ll give you a medal if you get out alive.”

Bob Dylan,
Rolling Stone #1078, May 14, 2009

Dylan Days opens in Hibbing on Thursday

The good people of Duluth are celebrating their Dylan connection tonight. Thursday through Sunday bring a variety of arts events to the site of Dylan’s formative years up the road in Hibbing. Read more at the Dylan Days website or at the rolling updates at my MinnesotaBrown.com blog. Yes, I’m an organizer of Dylan Days and yes this is shameless promotion. But we’re proud of our grassroots funtime (including music, literature and visual arts) and I wouldn’t be involved if it weren’t something special.

This year’s Dylan Days includes four authors (including, unfortunately, myself), the world premiere of the winning play from our one-act playwright contest, music from Scarlet Rivera (the violinist from “Hurricane” among other things), the singer/songwriter contest and much more.

Hibbing is 80 short miles from Duluth and if you crash in the backseat of your car this is a highly affordable experience. But rooms are available!

Dylan Days in Hibbing coming May 21-24

Here is our fresh new Dylan Days press release, cross posted at my blog, going out today:

Dylan Days boasts full new schedule for 2009
Lineup features music, art and literature in music icon’s hometown

HIBBING, Minn. (April 20, 2009) – As Bob Dylan prepares to release another new album, his hometown of Hibbing, Minn., is preparing to honor him with its annual celebration of music, literature, visual art and Dylan history. Dylan Days 2009 takes place May 21-24.