by Ned McFadden, Sewell, NJ

I became aware of Bob Dylan probably in 1971, as a freshman in high school. It was much more than the music that I was drawn to, although that was a huge. But what I found most compelling were the lyrics; the stories, the surreal images — the poetry. I knew all the words to Desolation Row! WOW! And I still think that “Highway 61 Revisited” is the greatest rock album ever recorded (just an opinion).

I would love to have been able to see Dylan perform during this period, but he stopped performing in public. It wouldn’t happen. Until the announcement was made in late ‘73 that not only was Dylan preparing to tour, he would be reunited with The Band, who he had toured and recorded with nine years earlier. Three Philadelphia Spectrum shows were scheduled. I attended the Sunday night show, January 6, 1974 and was completely “blown away”. I recall Dylan’s haunting piano during “Ballad of a Thin Man”, I remember the red, white and blue spot lights hitting Dylan as he sang the lyric “Even the President of the United States sometimes must have to stand naked” during “It’s Alright, Ma (I’m only Bleeding). The crowd loved it. This was also the time of Watergate. And I especially remember a raucous “Like a Rolling Stone” played with the house lights up.

What a scene! What a concert! What a memory!