Thank you for this! And thanks to McGuinn of course. Wonderful interview, made me think back on other stuff than Dylan. I worked at a radio station in Sweden in the early 90's. It was completely insignificant in the greater scheme of things but, incredibly, our morning guy did an interview with McGuinn back then. I think it was when the album "Back from Rio" came out. I still remember what a wonderful, warm, likeable guy he was. Great to hear from him again!
I’m so impressed that you didn’t just vaporize when he picked up the guitar and played that transition into Tamborine Man. And also thank you for asking about that scene in the movie. I remember reading some famous musicians dismissing the whole film as a coked up indulgence because of it. I know that doesn’t mean they weren’t but he doesn’t really have any reason to lie about it fifty years later
Thanks a million…every one of these interviews are wonderful. Each an incredibly important historic document which reveals juicy context about touring, the musicians, friends, the dynamics of creativity and of course Dylan.
Great interview. I was especially impressed with the Frank Zappa "Phydeaux" (pronounced Fido) tour bus reference. The bus is mentioned by name in the song "Fembot in a Wet T-Shirt" on Zappa's Joe's Garage album, specifically the line "Oh, you were the girl that was stuck to seat 38 on Phydeaux III." We can only hope Bob didn't occupy seat 38 at any point!
So many revelations and visuals! Here's my top 7 ...
- I didn't realize Jacques Levy stage-managed Rolling Thunder! How did I miss that? What a cool and odd detail - I only know him as a pretty monumental co-songwriter, not an orchestrator of shows. And amazing that McGuinn was with Jacques when he passed.
- I love the confirmation that Dylan and some others did get together with Leonard Cohen for dinner in Montreal. Possibly my favorite Dylan live track ever is the "Isis" from Montreal, where Dylan intros it with "Here's a song about marriage, this is called Isis. This is for Leonard, 'f he's still here..."
- "You go and take a handful of alligator, put it in your mouth, and chase it with a beer." omg
- Fascinating that McGuinn thinks of Tambourine Man as a spiritual song!
- Nuts that in the world of big-name touring, they asked McGuinn to cover his own travel expenses on the '87 tour. How chinchy!
- Origin of the term Wilbury!
- Interesting that the lack of a big Byrds reunion tour was due to a promise to Crosby. I wonder why Crosby was (apparently) the holdout?
Wow. Thanks for conducting the McGuinn interview. So nicely focused and filled with information that's new to me. And...of course...reminders of things I'd barely known, which will require opening a new rabbit hole: digging out the McGuinn sub-collection and giving those old records a new spin or two.
Fantastic interview!! The most insightful interview I've ever read with McGuinn about the Rolling Thunder Tour. I wish the Scorsese "Mocumentary" had more stuff like this. Excellent work Ray!
As Rolling Thunder was starting up I was driving around New England in my VW van with my girlfriend at the time, Judy. We'd seen Bob for the first time the year before in L.A. We were just on the road, doing things like picking apples along the way to have some money. We pulled into Maine and decided to spend the winter there. One night I found a local newspaper that said Bob and a gang of friends were about to play a bunch of concerts in the area. Hot damn I thought. We can see him again. The closest concert to us was in Augusta, Maine. 10 bucks apiece. We counted our money. We'd just paid rent on a tiny house and didn't have the $20. Or even the gas money. So I missed what I still think is his greatest tour. Thank god for the bootleg series. Now I can hear that Augusta concert whenever I want. 🌺
Wonderful interview!
Restock the Rolling Thunder zine!
Among many positive qualities of this interview it’ll get me to check out Cardiff Rose. Thank you.
Thank you for this! And thanks to McGuinn of course. Wonderful interview, made me think back on other stuff than Dylan. I worked at a radio station in Sweden in the early 90's. It was completely insignificant in the greater scheme of things but, incredibly, our morning guy did an interview with McGuinn back then. I think it was when the album "Back from Rio" came out. I still remember what a wonderful, warm, likeable guy he was. Great to hear from him again!
This is one of your best, Ray. Thank you
I’m so impressed that you didn’t just vaporize when he picked up the guitar and played that transition into Tamborine Man. And also thank you for asking about that scene in the movie. I remember reading some famous musicians dismissing the whole film as a coked up indulgence because of it. I know that doesn’t mean they weren’t but he doesn’t really have any reason to lie about it fifty years later
Thanks a million…every one of these interviews are wonderful. Each an incredibly important historic document which reveals juicy context about touring, the musicians, friends, the dynamics of creativity and of course Dylan.
Just drove by Plymouth's Memorial Hall. Big renovation in planning stage. Hopefully the walls will talk.
Great interview. I was especially impressed with the Frank Zappa "Phydeaux" (pronounced Fido) tour bus reference. The bus is mentioned by name in the song "Fembot in a Wet T-Shirt" on Zappa's Joe's Garage album, specifically the line "Oh, you were the girl that was stuck to seat 38 on Phydeaux III." We can only hope Bob didn't occupy seat 38 at any point!
That was the most interesting and informative interview I have ever read!
So many revelations and visuals! Here's my top 7 ...
- I didn't realize Jacques Levy stage-managed Rolling Thunder! How did I miss that? What a cool and odd detail - I only know him as a pretty monumental co-songwriter, not an orchestrator of shows. And amazing that McGuinn was with Jacques when he passed.
- I love the confirmation that Dylan and some others did get together with Leonard Cohen for dinner in Montreal. Possibly my favorite Dylan live track ever is the "Isis" from Montreal, where Dylan intros it with "Here's a song about marriage, this is called Isis. This is for Leonard, 'f he's still here..."
- "You go and take a handful of alligator, put it in your mouth, and chase it with a beer." omg
- Fascinating that McGuinn thinks of Tambourine Man as a spiritual song!
- Nuts that in the world of big-name touring, they asked McGuinn to cover his own travel expenses on the '87 tour. How chinchy!
- Origin of the term Wilbury!
- Interesting that the lack of a big Byrds reunion tour was due to a promise to Crosby. I wonder why Crosby was (apparently) the holdout?
I think Dylan was playing a G in Drop-D tuning at Newport. As a result, his G chord looks like a version of Em6.
Wow. Thanks for conducting the McGuinn interview. So nicely focused and filled with information that's new to me. And...of course...reminders of things I'd barely known, which will require opening a new rabbit hole: digging out the McGuinn sub-collection and giving those old records a new spin or two.
Fantastic interview!! The most insightful interview I've ever read with McGuinn about the Rolling Thunder Tour. I wish the Scorsese "Mocumentary" had more stuff like this. Excellent work Ray!
Thanks so much for this wonderful interview and all the Dylan/McGuinn history. Rolling Thunder Revue is one of my favorite concert documentaries.
As Rolling Thunder was starting up I was driving around New England in my VW van with my girlfriend at the time, Judy. We'd seen Bob for the first time the year before in L.A. We were just on the road, doing things like picking apples along the way to have some money. We pulled into Maine and decided to spend the winter there. One night I found a local newspaper that said Bob and a gang of friends were about to play a bunch of concerts in the area. Hot damn I thought. We can see him again. The closest concert to us was in Augusta, Maine. 10 bucks apiece. We counted our money. We'd just paid rent on a tiny house and didn't have the $20. Or even the gas money. So I missed what I still think is his greatest tour. Thank god for the bootleg series. Now I can hear that Augusta concert whenever I want. 🌺
Fantastic read! Thanks Ray!