In the course of music history there are many wierd rumors that spread. While some end up being true most are debunked and forgotten about. But, some withstand the test of time and eventually enough come to believe the myths to be true that the truth remains permanently skewed. Tonight I have for you a perfect example. A rumor about the man everyone came to know as Bob Dylan (many believing it to be his real name). His real name is Robert Zimmerman and he is the subject of today’s link of the day.
A music myth has circulated regarding the results of the famous Newport Folk Festival in Newport, Rhode Island. The story goes Bob Dylan performed with his electric guitar and his backing band (members of The Hawks recommended by blues singer John Hammond who would later become the well-titled The Band). Since this was a folk festival and he was playing unconventional electric guitar this apparently did not go over so well and the performance was met with cascading boos. Some stories go as far as saying that Pete Seeger, a famous folk singer, and other event organizers attempted to cut the electricity with an axe. This is also portrayed in the movie “I’m Not There.” But like in “I’m Not There,” which is a fictional account of Bob Dylan, the entire story in itself is fabricated. Let me tell you how.
Well a man by the name of Bruce Jackson was one of the directors at the Newport Folk Festival that night. According to his great account, which includes a scene by scene text account of a tape from the festival, the boos at the concert were not directed at Dylan at all. They were booing because they wanted him back on the stage for an encore. Pete Yarrow, the emcee of the night and the Peter in Peter Paul and Mary, talks clearly throughout the tape and it is quite evident that the booing was not at Dylan’s set, which was actually met with pleasent applause. Myths are interesting but this one is simply not true. Don’t believe me. Check it out for yourself: http://buffaloreport.com/020826dylan.html
The Music Court 
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