Bob Dylan Special 9pm Monday 24th May

Bob Dylan in London: Troubadour Tales

On the 24th May 2021 Bob Dylan celebrates his 80th birthday and this week Leighton Buzz Radio is broadcasting a Bob Dylan Special that interviews Jackie Lees and K.G. Miles, authors of a book published in March this year called Troubadour Tales: Bob Dylan in London. 

Bob Dylan at Massey Hall, Toronto, April 18, 1980 Photo by Jean-Luc Ourlin

Listen 9pm Monday 24th May 

The book is a fabulous guide to the places Bob Dylan visited on his various trips to London. The authors have diligently researched all the folk pubs and coffee houses he played at on his first short visit and where possible, tracked down the photographic evidence. Other places include The Troubadour, where the authors have created a “Dylan room” for London visitors to celebrate the special connection between Dylan and the city. The Troubadour has hosted the Dylan Band pre-Covid, an excellent Dylan covers band, and it has attracted international visitors. It’s certainly a venue I plan to visit when restrictions are lifted.

The chapters of the book are based around geographical locations including friends houses he stayed at, one of which is now an embassy, as well as the plush hotels like The Savoy on his later visits when he was more established and the interview delves into some of the amusing stories behind them all. The excellent film Don’t Look Back was filmed in London in 1965, where Dylan famously created the first rock video by dropping cards with the song lyrics to Subterranean Homesick Blues. A map is included for those who want to go exploring and follow in the great man’s footsteps.

The book concludes with a visit Dylan made to Camden in 1993 when he went walking around the High Street wearing a top hat in his own distinctive style. There is a wonderful anecdote that the authors share with listeners about this visit. The book’s illustrations are wonderful as well. If you want to find out more about the book, you find find more details here: [https://mcnidderandgrace.com/bobdylaninlondon]

The interview is interspersed with some of Bob Dylan’s best loved songs, including Lay Lady Lay, Girl From The North Country and A Hard Rain’s A Gonna Fall amongst others.

Happy birthday Bob and thank you for all the wonderful songs!

I host the Solid Rock show on Leighton Buzz Radio every Wednesday at 7pm and I play a range of rock genres from across the decades. The show gets a repeat airing on Sundays at 6pm.

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