Introduction
In recent months, I’ve found myself inadvertently reading about the same group of musicians: Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Patti Smith, and Bruce Springsteen. It seems like they were all part of the same circle, more endogamous than a family from Alabama.
The Beginning of the Journey
This journey started as an accident when I read “Dylan Goes Electric!” by Elijah Wald, coinciding with the release of “A Complete Unknown,” a film based on the book. The book chronicles Dylan’s legendary 1965 performance at the Newport Folk Festival, where he decided to abandon folk music and embrace rock ‘n’ roll. This was a significant turning point, a sonic Big Bang from which everything else emerged.
Dylan’s Influence
Dylan, in a sense, is the true Pennywise of this tale, feeding on young rockers who grew up in his shadow. One such admirer was Joni Mitchell, as depicted in “Reckless Daughter” by David Yaffe.
The Rock ‘n’ Roll Circle
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, these musicians were part of the same scene. They shared similar guitars, songs, and even the same cocaine supplier. This group included not just Canadians like Neil Young and Joni Mitchell, but also David Geffen, Carole King, Chaka Khan, Graham Nash, David Crosby, Judy Collins, and Robbie Robertson.
From New York to California
Despite moving from New York to California, this group remained the same. The neighborhood may have changed, but the colony didn’t. This is akin to what chismeiros would say: “They’re all in the same boat,” regardless of location.
Documenting the Era
The documentary “Martin Scorsese Remembers” on Apple TV further fueled my interest. It discusses “The Last Waltz,” Scorsese’s documentary about The Band’s farewell concert. This band accompanied Dylan on his first electric tour, and its members were rock stars in their own right. The documentary features heavily intoxicated figures, including Scorsese himself, Neil Young with his “cocaine nose,” and Joni Mitchell singing “Coyote” about her then-lover, playwright Sam Shepard.
Rolling Thunder Revue
The Rolling Thunder Revue tour of 1975, also directed by Scorsese, aimed to protest the unjust imprisonment of boxer Rubin “Hurricane” Carter. However, the movement soon spiraled out of control for everyone involved.
Dylan’s Tour and Patti Smith
Dylan invited all these figures, including the emerging rockstar Patti Smith, to join his Rolling Thunder tour. However, he had to cut someone, and unfortunately, it was Smith. In her memoirs, she recounts this event without complaint, acknowledging that the punk movement was still nascent and misunderstood by the previous generation.
Bruce Springsteen Enters the Scene
I attended a Bruce Springsteen concert, which led me to his album “Nebraska.” This record, initially seen as a whim, turned out to be therapeutic for Springsteen. He didn’t tour or promote it, yet it became one of his most successful hits.
Connecting the Dots
Springsteen also appears in Patti Smith’s memoirs, “Bread of Angels,” when Jimmy Iovine played her “Because the Night,” a song that has become a staple in both their live performances.
Upcoming Reads
I plan to read Neil Young’s memoirs and a new biography about Sam Shepard. These reads will take me back to that high school, where all these individuals were part of the same crowd.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who are the musicians mentioned? The musicians discussed are Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Patti Smith, and Bruce Springsteen.
- What sparked this exploration? The exploration began with reading “Dylan Goes Electric!” by Elijah Wald and watching the film “A Complete Unknown.”
- What is the significance of the Rolling Thunder Revue? The Rolling Thunder Revue was a 1975 tour intended to protest the imprisonment of Rubin “Hurricane” Carter, but it soon became a chaotic event.
- How did Patti Smith fit into this narrative? Patti Smith was invited to the Rolling Thunder Revue but was eventually cut from the tour. She is depicted as a budding rockstar and punk visionary in her memoirs.
- What is the connection between these musicians and Bruce Springsteen? These artists, including Springsteen, were part of the same music scene and influenced each other’s work.
