There’s no doubt that we live amongst legends and even less of a doubt that singer and songwriter Bob Dylan, 84, is one of them. He because folk music’s big hopeful as people learned to fall in love with his poetic lyrics and unique voice. But because Dylan as a true artist did what he wanted and not what people expected, there were a few times the folk community treated him like a pariah.
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The moment that caused him turmoil in the community also happens to be the moment he changed music forever. Over 60 years ago today, July 25, Dylan took the stage at the Newport Folk Festival and had the “audacity” to use an electric guitar and be backed by the Paul Butterfield Blues Band.
@bobdylan July 24-25, 1965: Dylan performs at the Newport Folk Festival. On the 25th, he “goes electric” backed by the Paul Butterfield Blues Band and shocks the music world. #bobdylan #newportfolkfestival
♬ original sound – Bob Dylan – Bob Dylan
The presence of being plugged in immediately divided fans. While some saw it as a betrayal to the genre, others saw it for the groundbreaking move it was. Folk music at the time was largely thought of as “pure music” while plugged in instruments implied “rock and roll” which was for “less serious” music fans.
That performance instantly influenced the development of rock music for decades to come.
“The single greatest and most important moment in the history of humanity,” one fan boldly claimed.
“Most iconic man ever,” claimed another.
Dylan turned heads throughout his entire career. In addition to his unorthodox style, Dylan was always politically outspoken and consistently ruffled feathers.
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