Even if it seems like just yesterday that Bob Dylan was a folk-singin' little whippersnapper hanging around Greenwich Village, it was practically 50 years ago. For folks who have seen or heard Dylan in recent years, it should come as no surprise that he will be celebrating his 70th birthday on May 24. Now, that is not to say that Dylan is looking or sounding shabby. Although there have been some errant words tossed about, County Grind's official stance is that Dylan has aged beautifully, musically and otherwise. Whether you agree with that or not, this is a historic landmark.
Some of you will want to celebrate in private, perhaps with your old copy of Freewheelin' on the turntable or with a copy of Chronicles in hand. For those of you who'd like to join with fellow Dylanites, there will be a tribute party going on at Bamboo Room on May 19, just a few days ahead of his actual birthday. The party will feature Rod MacDonald with Big Brass Bed -- a tribute band lead by a dude with a Dylanesque 'fro and voice that some of you may actually find to be more enjoyable than Bob's. Also on the bill are Crazy Fingers, the beloved local Grateful Dead tribute band.
Why will Crazy Fingers be there? Well, for one, having Crazy Fingers around never hurts. And, secondly, Dylan and the Dead have had a close relationship over the years. The Dead covered Dylan more than they covered any other artist. And, for a short while in the '80s, Dylan toured with the Dead.
A trip up to Bamboo Room will be a good move for folks who caught any of those shows in the '80s, for a couple of reasons: 1) If you went, you probably don't remember, and this is your chance to make up for that. 2) If you went and actually remember, it is likely that you were disappointed (the shows were notoriously less-then-stellar, for the most part) and this will be your chance to replace those memories you shouldn't have formed.
Either way, this is looking like it will be a fun time. Here are a few tunes that should be played at the birthday party as done by other acting tribute bands previously.
"My Back Pages" covered by the Ramones
Obviously, this is the most appropriate tune that could be played. "I was so much older then/I'm younger than that now."
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