On This Date in 1962

On March 19, 1962, Columbia Records released the debut album of a young folksinger named Bob Dylan. I was but 4 years old when this record hit the streets and airwaves, but over the years, Dylan became the most important artist in my life of appreciating music and lyrics.

Just take a look at which artist I've got the most music on here on my Mog! Its BOB DYLAN.

There is a story, kind of clever but not so scintillating, on how the photo above came to be.

It was taken in 1974 at the Los Angeles Forum. Both Bob and I were attending an Eric Clapton concert.

My seat was in the 15th row on the floor. It was a few minutes before the concert was to begin, and I was on my feet, looking up at the loges and nosebleed seats to see how full the room was (ie: was this show indeed sold out?) and if I could see anyone I knew. Lo and behold, a familiar face was right in front of me... well, behind me.

I knew that I would have a split second to take a picture if I wanted to. Back then... 1974, one could bring a real camera (mine was a Nikon FM - the same camera I use to this day; it was the weapon of choice back then for photo journalists) to a show, no photo pass needed. Things have certainly changed... but back to the story...

I focused on the person in the row ahead of me who was the same distance away as Dylan was behind me. Then, without putting the camera to my eye, I turned around and clicked the shutter on what and where I thought Bob was... total luck of the draw and I got it right!

I had seen Bob Dylan and the Band on tour earlier in the year. I haven't missed a single Bob Dylan concert tour since then. I've seen him play good, bad, ugly and amazing... and he's been amazing now since about 1995... there was that unfortunate period on the late 80s and early-to-mid-90s where he was doing "Joey" and/or "Silvio" as the 5th and 6th song in his set, but those songs I have not heard in many years, and I'm happy about that!

He's also moved away from playing guitar to playing keyboards only.

The records he has released from Oh Mercy onwards have been perfect each and every time... not that I dislike some of the work that preceded Oh Mercy, but I think that the work has hit a consistent high point since 1989 and has not wavered.

The photo above, I've never marketed. I've given it as a gift, 4 times... each time to a celebrity with whom I worked. NOW... I am making it available to anyone who wants to buy it. In recognition of the anniversary of the debut Dylan album's release date, today ONLY, there's special pricing on it in my "inventory clearance sale site":http://inventory-clearance-sale.blogspot.com.

On March 20, Pacific Time, prices go back up.

Take a little Dylan home with you!

If nothing else, give him a spin on your turntable today...