Sneak Preview of "Which One Is the Real Bob Dylan?"--Select Pieces from the William Pagel Archives

Darkness at the break of noon
Shadows even the silver spoon
The handmade blade, the child’s balloon
Eclipses both the sun and moon
To understand you know too soon
There is no sense in trying

So begins one of the most remarkable songs from a remarkable period in Bob Dylan's career, that first trajectory change from folk to rock, a period of time in which the young artist went from being Bob Dylan to simply "Dylan." A period of time that produced a trio of iconic albums: Bringing It All Back Home, Highway 61 Revisited and Blonde On Blonde. A period of time in which Robert Shelton's camera never seemed to pause from clicking, taking it all in and offering up to the world countless images of the most hip young man on earth at the height of his powers.

Next week is Duluth Dylan Fest, and one of the highlights of the event for me each year is seeing what new items Bill Pagel will display from his extensive personal collection. The title for this year's exhibit at Karpeles Manuscript Museum is "Which One is the Real Bob Dylan." The objects in the 13 cases will reveal many sides of the Northland's native son. Bill loves bringing new facets of his Dylan stash to the public and this year's no exception. There will be letters, original lyrics and more.

From the Bob Dylan Song Book.

One case will display photos from the Daniel Kramer book, with pages inscribed and signed by Dylan. On the cover of the book Bob wrote, “what do you think the man without the shades is thinking?”

That book has an interesting history. In 1968, a young woman who knew Bob asked him to autograph it. Bob agreed but wanted to take the book with him overnight. When he returned it, he'd written on nearly every page and signing them. During Dylan Fest, and through the summer, you'll be able to see several of the pages from the Kramer book.

Another display case will contain pages from the Bob Dylan Song Book with drawings and notations by Bob Dylan.

In December 1960, Bob left Minneapolis--where he had been attending college at the University of Minnesota--with the intention of going to New York City. When he hitchhiked out of the Twin Cities his first stop was Chicago where he met up with Kevin Krown, a folk singer he’d performed with during a summer in Denver. Kevin had told Bob to look him up if he ever got to Chicago.

Mark Eastman and Kevin Krown were both students at the University of Chicago. While staying with Kevin, Bob met Mark Eastman. Bob stayed for several weeks before heading north to Madison, Wisconsin and then on to New York City.

Mark and Bob ended up in New York City in January, 1960 when Bob first arrived there. Mark accompanied Bob the first time he met Woody Guthrie at Greystone Hospital in Morris Plains, New Jersey. After graduating from the University of Chicago, Mark moved to New York City and taught at the Manhattan New School for a time. Mark and Bob remained close friends throughout the Sixties. Bob inscribed many of the pages in Mark’s copy of the song book, some of which will be displayed at Karpeles.

Photos courtesy William Pagel Archives

All this to say that whether you join us next week for one or all of the events, make sure you stop in at Karpeles Manuscript Museum to check out "Which One is the Real Bob Dylan?"

Related Links
Duluth Dylan Fest 2019
It's Alright Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)

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