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)

And if you see me, say hello....

Duluth Dylan Fest Update: Big Wu Comin'

"Double Dylan, Strathmore Style" by Ennyman

Events for Duluth Dylan Fest 2018 have been shaping up for months, and for additional icing on the proverbial Bob-Birthday Cake this year Big Wu will be in town for a Dylan-flavored concert on Sunday, May 20 at the Sports Garden in Canal Park.

If you're noticing a lot of Double Dylan images this year it's because the theme for our 2018 week-long celebration is Twins, selected because Duluth's Native Son will be 77 this year. He was born in the Twin Ports, went to college in the Twin Cities, has a zodiac sign of Gemini (The Twins), was the first rock musician to produce a Double Album (Blonde On Blonde) and no doubt has some fans who are twins. (Hibbing friends: can you add something from up there that fits the theme?)

Duluth Dylan Fest 2018 kicks off on May 19 at Karpeles with the opening reception for the William Pagel Archives and the John Bushey Memorial Lecture with David Pichaske, author of Songs of the North Country: A Midwest Framework to the Songs of Bob Dylan 6–8p. There is no cost. This is a free event. Mr. Pagel's exhibt will run from May 19 thru June 29.

Doors open for Sunday's Big Wu Concert at 5 pm. If for some reason you can't make it to the concert but you're in town, the annual Dylan Trivia Contest will be taking place at Carmody's Pub at 9 pm. The questions and answers have already been prepared, and are under wraps in a secret vault.

As we count down to Duluth Dylan Fest 2018 we'll keep you in the loop as regards the final schedule of events for the week. Join us if you can.

Related Links
Inside an Unbelievable Bob Dylan Memorabilia Collection by Kate Nelson
Artful Living Dylan Features
Call for Art -- 2018 Duluth Dylan Fest
Warhol, Dylan and the Double Elvis -- Catalyst for this year's theme image.

Local Art Seen: Kathryn Lenz Breathes New Life Into Milton's Hell

During the month of April Karpeles Manuscript Museum Library is hosting an interesting set of events with historical roots in John Milton and William Blake, along with a series of paintings by local artist Kathryn Lenz. The exhibition and lecture theme is Milton's Hell: A Prequel to Genesis. Though the opening reception was April 3, there are a pair of events coming later this week with info set at the end of this blog post.

"Flight through Chaos"

In addition to Lenz' paintings there are twelve 8.5"x11" prints of William Blake's so-called Butts Set of Paradise Lost illustrations along one of the walls inside Karpeles. Blake illustrated Paradise Lost three times and the sets are referred to as the Thomas Set (published in 1807), the Butts Set (published in 1808) and the Linnell Set (published in 1822).

Ms. Lenz has also shared prints of five photos she took of plates in the 1762 Howard's edition of the St. James Bible housed in the University of Minnesota Duluth’s Ramseyer-Northern Bible Society Museum Collection. These prints are displayed courtesy of Archives and Special Collections, Kathryn A. Martin Library, University of Minnesota Duluth. They serve both as a reference for the artist's Milton paintings (because Milton drew from the Bible) and as examples, along with the Blake prints, of English art work produced about 100 years after "Paradise Lost" was first published. It's not inconceivable that Milton's work influenced the artists who made these Bible images.

Kathryn Lenz's paintings are evocative, and at times surprisingly complex. For those unable to make the visit to Karpeles during the next few weeks I'm sharing  few select images here, somewhat weaker in impact than what you will find in person.

"The Ptolemaic Universe"

EN: What was it that prompted you to become so involved in Milton's work?

Kathryn Lenz: The project began as an opportunity to collaborate with my sister Karmen Lenz, an English Professor at Middle Georgia State University. Paradise Lost is heavy reading, but conversing with Karmen about various passages made it easier to digest. Additionally, although I've read through the whole work, my studies have mostly focused on only the first two of the twelve books. The work is full of imagery, and I found myself taking notes and making sketches as I read. Several famous artists have illustrated Paradise Lost, most notably William Blake and Gustave Doré, and their illustrations also inspired me. I enjoyed tracking down images on the web of pagan gods mentioned in the epic as well as European artwork that could have influenced Milton's imagination. It seemed that the more I worked on the project the more I was drawn in by both the epic and the images of famous works of art.

EN: How did you choose which passages to illustrate?

Detail from "Pandemonium"... an experession
of futility. Nothing brings satisfaction

KL: I chose passages to illustrate based primarily on their appeal and secondarily on whether or not images of those passages by other artists were available. For example, I did not illustrate Satan holding a council with his top advisors in their palace in Pandemonium because I was satisfied with the John Martin and Gustave Doré depictions of this scene (see attached images).

EN: You mention the influence of Hieronymus Bosch to some extent. What other artists influenced this series of works?

KL: Famous visual artists who I think influenced this series of works include Hieronymus Bosch, John Martin, William Blake, Gustave Doré, Salvador Dali, M.C. Escher, René Magritte, Georgia O’Keefe, Arthur Dove, Odilon Redon, and the cartoonist Gary Larson. I'm sure that this is not an exhaustive list.

EN: What kind of reaction have you had from those who have come to see the exhibition?

KL: Thankfully, anyone who had a bad reaction to this show has kept it to themselves as far as I know. Reactions that people have expressed to me have varied from "great show!" to "What an imagination!" to "I'm impressed with how much work you put into this!" to "I don't understand your paintings and I was confused by the video, too." But let me add that the person who expressed confusion then went on to discuss Milton's perspective on the concept of free will, and that was a great reaction to the show.

"Flight to Earth"

"Satan Presiding at the Infernal Council" by John Martin.

Gustave Dore's interpretation of the scene depicted above. 

* * * * 

Peter Spooner will be giving a talk at 7 p.m. Thursday.
Kevin A. Quamby's talk will be on Friday, also at 7:00.

Noteworthy Trivia

On this day in 1452 Leonardo da Vinci was born.

His father was unable to attend the birth because

he was too busy trying to finish his taxes.

Meantime life goes on...

Milton's Hell, the Prequel to Genesis @ Karpeles

Blake-inspired ceiling detail: home of Aethelred Eldridge

In April Karpeles Manuscript Museum Library is hosting an interesting set of events with historical roots in John Milton and William Blake, along with a series of paintings by local artist Kathryn Lenz, Milton's Hell: A Prequel to Genesis. The opening reception will be Tuesday April 3 at 7:00 p.m. which will include a video presentation of Milton's Hell in voice and imagery. Preceding this opening reception there will be a lecture at 4:00 p.m. featuring Susan Sink, Oblate of St. John's Abbey, at UMD. The following Sunday Sam Black and friends will perform the Music of Rebellion and Divine Creation at 3:00 p.m. with a video preceding at 2:30.

Paradise Lost, was composed by the blind and impoverished Milton from 1658 to 1664. A portion of this epic has been translated into images by Kathryn Lenz. In addiition to Lenz's paintings there will also be reproductions of William Blake's artwork inspired by Milton's epic poem by the 17th century English poet.

The first version, published in 1667, consisted of ten books with over ten thousand lines of verse. A second edition followed in 1674, arranged into twelve books (in the manner of Virgil's Aeneid) with minor revisions throughout and a note on the versification. Considered Milton's major work, it solidified his reputation as one of the great English poets of his time. The poem concerns the Biblical story of the Fall of Man: the temptation of Adam and Eve by the fallen angel Satan and their expulsion from the Garden of Eden. Milton's purpose, stated in Book I, is to "justify the ways of God to men."

The visionary poet and painter William Blake (1757-1827), author of Songs of Innocence and Experience, later illustrated Milton's work. A portion of Blake's work on Milton's theme has been reproduced and will also be on display at Karpeles in April.

Illustration by William Blake

What interested me in part were some of the recollections it generated from my four years at Ohio University. One of the associate professors in the art department from the late 1950's till 2014 was a Blake enthusiast, Æthelred Eldridge. If I remember correctly, his home was featured in the magazine Home and Garden. He welcomed people to visit and swim in his rural pond/small lake. According to Wikipedia he is best known "for his black and white art accompanied by esoteric writings inspired by William Blake, and the founding of a "Church of William Blake" not far from his home in Athens, Ohio."

What I best remember is that Seigfried Hall, home to the art school, had a wide arch  upon which Eldridge a few years earlier had painted a massive mural that sprawled overhead and down to the top of the entrance. There were evidently complaints about the mural so that by the time I attended school in 1970 he had whitewashed it and covered that with a lengthy script which probably no one read in its entirety without a neck injury, but that evidently satisfied the authorities.

I asked Kathryn Lenz, whom I met through one of Kathy McTavish's events, what prompted her to do this series of paintings on Milton's Hell. She replied that "several years ago, my sister Karmen Lenz, a professor of English at Middle Georgia State University, employed an image of one of my cartoon paintings in a class-activity to get reluctant students to write. I found this very appealing and wanted to collaborate with her on a project that would have an educational application for her as well as serve as a catalyst for my development as an artist. She often includes parts of John Milton's "Paradise Lost" in her courses, but it is heavy reading and can be difficult to follow. Images could potentially help students understand Milton's origin story for Sin, Death and Hell. I have found the epic to be full of passages that spark my imagination and challenge me artistically."

Lenz began working on her first sketches for these paintings three years ago. "I started working on the first of these paintings two years ago," she noted.

Additional events have also been slated as well. Wednesday April 18 at 7 pm. Peter Spooner will give a presentation on William Blake's art, especially his "Paradise Lost" illustrations, and his influence on visual art. After his presentation we will again show the Milton's Hell video.

Friday April 20 at 7 pm. Professor Kevin Quarmby, Saint Scholastica English Department, will give a presentation on Milton, Shakespeare and the Origin of the Specious in Paradise Lost. After his presentation we will show the Milton's Hell video.

All of the above are free and open to the public.

Related Links
Milton's Hell in Paradise Lost.
Aesthetic Rapture Between Heaven and Hell: William Blake Illustrates John Milton’s “Paradise Lost”

Music at the Museum Concert Series Coming to Karpeles

2016 is the year I discovered what the Karpeles Manuscript Museum is all about. The first surprise was that it is free (except for the quarter or quarters you plug into the meter because you have to park on the street.) The second surprise was that this is one of a dozen such Karpeles Manuscript Libraries around the country, in cities from New York to Charleston to Texas and Santa Barbera, and all manner of places in between. The third surprise is that the Karpeles Manuscript Library is purportedly the largest private collection of original manuscripts and documents in the world. And finally, biggest surprise of all, the founder graduated from Denfeld High School here in West Duluth.

Original documents that make history real.

The building that houses the exhibitions in Duluth was designed in 1912 by premiere architect Frank German, who also designed the former YWCA that now houses the American Indian Community Housing Organization whose many arts functions I have written about these past several years. The building was designed for the Church of Christ Scientist in the days before microphones came into existence. Thus, one of its key features is fabulous acoustics.

For this reason it is an ideal location for concerts. Beginning January 8 the First Sunday Chamber Series will begin, with concerts through May on the first Sunday of each month. The concerts begin at 3 p.m. and for parking you may use the Gitchee Gammi Club parking lot just below the alley. Enter through the side door.

Two other events will be taking place before this, though. On January 3 a new manuscript exhibit will be installed featuring documents related to the history of medicine. This will be a fairly comprehensive overview of medical breakthroughs and understanding. I suspect that local schools will be making visits, and if you are a homeschooling parent I would recommend Karpeles as a destination, both for this and all other exhibits that pass this way.

The History of Medicine will be featuring the following:
Harvey's discovery of the circulation of blood
Lister on germs and the emergence of hygiene
Robert Koch's discovery of infection
Ben Franklin on hospitals
Dorothea Dix on insanity
Mesmer's work on hypnotism

Other documents include:
Louis Pasteur's treatment for rabies
Albert Schweitzer's investigation of leprosy
Document(s) related to Clara Barton, founder of the Red Cross
Pauling and Funk's discovery of vitamins
The development of peniciilin
Christian Barnard on heart disease
Treve's work on "Elephant Man"
Pavy's work on diabetes
The history of the Mayo Clinic
Sabin and mass vaccination
and Crick's work on DNA

British minister expelled, but "He is to be treated with kindness and attention."

Personally, I think this sounds like a pretty impressive exhibit. If you are looking for an excuse besides the exhibit itself to come check things out, there will be a Ghost Ship Warehouse Fire Benefit Concert on January 6 from 6 - 11 p.m. featuring experimental and atmospheric music.

Karpeles is located across the street from St. Luke's Hospital on First Street in Duluth. If you're unable to make a concert, consider dropping in during your lunch hour sometime. I can assure you that it will be worth your while.

EdNote: The examples on this page are from the current exhibit will we be departing this week. 

Einstein Disguised as Robin Hood Opens at Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum

This week on May 4 Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum in Duluth, MN, opens its doors to a new Dylan-themed collection titled Einstein Disguised as Robin Hood - Bob Dylan, an Exhibition. The items selected for display come from the collection of Bill Pagel, a respected Dylan historian, researcher and collector of Dylan memorabilia. The exhibition, one of several new events added to this year's Duluth Dylan Fest, will be open to the public throughout the month of May with at least two special events taking place concurrent with this exhibition. The first will be a special open house on May 13. The second event will take place Wednesday, May 25 during the week of Duluth Dylan Fest (May 22-29), an 8:00 p.m. concert featuring the band Cowboy Angel Blue.

Mike Shannon examines case with rare early documents.*

Tonight I had the privilege of being invited to a private opening and found myself unexpectedly moved by some of what was displayed in the 26 display cases containing scarce to rare Dylan photographs, manuscripts, acetates, and other memorabilia. Early handwritten lyric sheets of several songs are here and a number of real surprises, including the actual document in which Robert Zimmerman changed his name to Dylan.

During the reception I overheard someone state something to the effect that Dylan should not be compared to Einstein. They were commenting on the title of the show and I gently indicated that the title came from a line in Desolation Row from Highway 61 Revisited. I wanted to add it would be better to compare Dylan to Shakespeare. As John Bushey indicated in an interview for local television Dylan will most likely be the one songwriter from our time whose works will be studied well into the future. Decades? Centuries? Time will tell.

One item I found especially touching was a letter Suze Rotolo, his first serious girl friend in New York, wrote to her mother expressing strong emotions about how rudely and disrespectfully her mom treated Bob. The letter, typed in red ink that reminded me of one of my own early typewriters, is quite direct and revealing.

His birth announced in the local papers, 1941.

It's strange how you might expect to take some of the original handwritten lyrics for granted when you see them but then find yourself moved and drawn in by the tiny but neatly scribed letters, words, stanzas. In this internet age the phrase "content is king" has become a maxim. From the beginning Dylan produced content, substance, penetrating imperatives, weighty observations... a periodic table of potent lyrical insights. He has spent his lifetime being a fountain of content both remarkable and noteworthy.

OK, so tonight I got my first glimpse of what is on display. As time permits I'll share more, and if you are here in Duluth in the weeks to come you'll need to make your way to Karpeles as well.

Bill Pagel (L) discussin early documents with Gene Lafond & Amy Grillo.**

About Bill Pagel: Bill Pagel is known worldwide by Dylan fans for his boblinks.com website, a site devoted to all things related to Dylan’s touring.

About Duluth Dylan Fest: The 2016 Duluth Dylan Fest will take place at various venues in Duluth and Superior from May 22 through May 29. The event is now in its sixth year. Learn more at BobDylanWay.com

* Included in this case is the original Robert Shelton story that appeared in theNew York Times drawing attention to this unusual new Greenwich Village performer, catapulting him onto a path from which he couldn't look back.
** Gene first saw Bob in Dinkytown when he attended U of MN in 1961

Special thanks to John Bushey, host of the KUMD program Highway 61 Revisited, now in its 25th year.

Something Is Happening Here, Do You Know What It Is, Dylan Fans?

Two years ago the curators of a rare photo exhibit chose Hibbing, Minn as the place to properly unveil a collection of Daniel Kramer's photos from the period in which Dylan transformed himself from folk singer to global force, transforming rock in the process. It was the U.S. launch of the Grammy's rare Bob Dylan Photo Exhibit, many of the photos now iconic. The Hibbing launch was only natural, as Dylan is one of the native sons from the Iron Range, a grad of Hibbing High School.

This week, another Hibbing resident is unveiling yet another rare collection of early photos, early concert flyers, clippings, acetates and posters from the William Pagel Archives. These items and more will go on display at the Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum here in Duluth. This is where Dylan was born and lived the first six years of his life. Uncoincidentally, Bill Pagel owns that Central Hillside duplex and is renovating it to replicate its 1941 flavor.

Dylan fans from around the world are familiar with Bill Pagel's Bob Links website in which he chronicles the activities of the Never Ending Tour. Fans are undoubtedly less familiar with the breadth and depth of Pagel's private collection of Dylan memorabilia. The man is an avid collector and exceedingly organized. Even the boxes and containers he organizes his collections in are catalogued and organized.

The exhibit opens to the public on Wednesday, May 4 and will remain open through Duluth Dylan Fest the last week of May. On of the items on display will be two pages from Daniel Kramer's book that had been signed by Dylan. This is what is written on the placard accompanying the two printed photos:

Autographed pages from Dylan photo book

1967

These two pages were taken from the 1967 Daniel Kramer book published by Citadel Press of NY.

Daniel Kramer’s photograph of the inside of a venue Dylan will perform at. The shot was taken from the stage, and Dylan signs it with a take-off from his song Ballad of a Thin Man, “Something is happening and you know just what it is/ Bob” The original song lyrics were as follows: “Because something is happening here, but you don’t know what it is, do you, Mister Jones?” Many have theorized that the song was written to a reporter, or the press, and seems to imply that while he is open with the press they seem to feel he is not, and that his answers are evasive rather than open. A quote from the song’s first verse;

You walk into the room, with your pencil in your hand
You see somebody naked, and you say “Who is that man?”
You try so hard but you don’t understand
Just what you will say when you get home
Because something is happening here
But you don’t know what it is
Do you, Mister Jones?

Dylan signed nearly every page of this copy of the book. The book was eventually dis-bound, and the pages sold individually. This second photograph is of Dylan on stage from the rear, playing for the audience. Dylan inscribed this photo combining two of his songs, “She Belongs to Me” and “Don’t Think Twice, It's Alright”. In this wonderful inscription Dylan combines a version of a line from each song and writes, “Don’t look back, and things should be alright.” It's signed Bob Dylan.

Beginning May 4 Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum in Duluth, MN, will host a new Dylan-themed collection titled Einstein Disguised as Robin Hood - Bob Dylan, an Exhibition. The items selected for display from the collection of Bill Pagel, respected Dylan historian, researcher and collector of Dylan memorabilia. The exhibition, one of several new events added to this year's Duluth Dylan Fest, run through 31, 2016.

* * * * *

"Ballad of a Thin Man" begins with one of the most mysterious chord progressions, simultaneously alarming and haunting, jarring and attention-getting. It was the fifth cut on Highway 61 Revisited, an album I like to think of as the shot heard round the world. What Dylan initiated with Bringing It All Back Home he underscored and further unveiled in Highway 61 Revisited.

* * * * *

Big week here in Duluth. Homegrown is here. Today as Homegrown Day 2. A multitude of venues with a multitude of activities, it's not competing against SXSW or Green Man to be the biggest in the world, it's just competing with itself to be more memorable than the year before. 8 days of music and magic.

Meantime, life goes on all around you. Engage it.

Photo Credit: Thom Cronin, photographer. Newark, New Jersey, Symphony Hall -- October 2, 1965

Highlights of the 2016 Duluth Dylan Fest: Get Your Tickets Here

Yesterday afternoon while listening to various playlists on my iTunes player the album Highway 61 Revisited came on beginning with that snare-shot heard round the world, the opening salvo of "Like A Rolling Stone", Dylan blasting out that nothing would ever be the same. It was a shot heard 'round the world, history in the making and any time I hear it after not having heard it in a while it strikes me as especially profound. The attitude. The tone. The lyrics. The sound.

Here we are more than fifty years later and it's somewhat incredible that this kid who appeared on the scene like the phenomenon he was is still out there producing records, performing with a supertight band, still remaining unpredictable.

This May, he'll turn 75 and the town of his birth will once again celebrate this passing of another year with a week long festival of events designed to honor this native son who has achieved international fame yet remained connected to his roots. He still maintains a home in Minnesota, and other examples could be cited.

A Little History
The first Bob Dylan Way birthday party was in May 2008 to celebrate the installations of the signs along Bob Dylan Way. The first weeklong Dylan Fest was in May 2011. So 2016 marks the 6th year of the weeklong fest and the 9th year of the Bob Dylan Celebrations put on by the Bob Dylan Way team. The group, however. was started in early 2007 to raise money after the City Council passed the Cultural Pathway in May 2006.

Duluth has a rich history of celebrating Bob Dylan from John Bushey’s radio show on KUMD – October marks the 25th year. To the early Dylan Birthday Party celebrations held around Duluth in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

This Year's Event Schedule

The 2016 Duluth Dylan Fest has a number of exciting events in store to celebrate Duluth’s native son Bob Dylan’s 75th birthday and showcasing the Northland’s vibrant arts and music scene.

Highlights include:
• 48 hour Dylan Film Fest
• Art Show featuring Daniel Botkin
• Duluth Does Dylan CD Release Party
• Poets from the North County featuring Duluth Poet Laurates Barton Sutter and Jim Johnson, among others
• The ever-popular Blood on the Tracks Express rolling music revue featuring local musicians and Dylan Fest favorite the Boomchucks aka The Freewheelers
• Duluth Dylan Fest Singer Songwriter Contest
• Duluth to Hibbing and Back Dylan Fest Bus Tour
• Postage Stamp Cancellation Event at the Armory Annex on London Road, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
• Amory Arts & Music Center Benefit Concert: The Basement Tapes/Great White Wonder Concert
• Farewell Brunch at the Zeitgeist Café featuring songwriter Jim Hall

Noteworthy
The Duluth Dylan Fest committee is thrilled to share that a special Bob Dylan exhibit featuring handwritten lyrics, inscribed photographs, early concert flyers and more from the William Pagel Achieves will be on exhibit May 4-30 at Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum.

Ticketed Duluth Dylan Fest events are available on https://www.eventbrite.com/d/local/dylan-fest/
• May 24th Duluth Does Dylan CD Release Party at 7:30 PM
• May 26th Blood on the Tracks Express Rolling Music Revue (available soon)
• May 27th Dylan Bush Tour: Duluth to Hibbing and Back from 9 AM to 5 PM
• May 28th Bob Dylan Benefit Concert for the Armory Arts & Music Center at 7 PM

All other events are free.

Please share this information with your friends and colleagues. If you have questions, please email duluthdylanfest@gmail.com or zane@northlandfdn.org.

Meantime, life goes on all around you. Be part of it.

Another Feature of This Year's Duluth Dylan Fest: Rare Photos and Documents from a Private Collection

About a month ago we posted a tentative outline for events to be held during Duluth Dylan Fest this coming May. The Duluth Dylan Fest is rolling in fast, and some of this year's new events are looking to be exceedingly special. One of these is a collection of rare documents and photos that will be on public display at the Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum. Some, if not many, have never been seen before. It's a truly remarkable gift to the Dylan fans who visit here to celebrate Bob's 75th birthday the last week of May.

The source of this generous contribution to this year's Dylan Fest is the Bill Pagel Archives. Serious Dylan fans have been long acquainted with his BobLinks website which gathers and shares Dylan concert reviews, setlists and links from nearly the beginning of his touring career. (Eager to learn where Dylan will be next, visit Boblinks.com.)

I first learned of the site when I posted a Dylan concert review on my own website in 1998 and it turned up there afterwards. In addition to being a collector, he is also a historian and researcher, though no real collector worth his salt is going to collect without a deep understanding of valuations, thus requiring that one become a dedicated researcher. His enthusiasm for collecting all things Dylan garnered him chapter one status in David Kinney's The Dylanologists.

Celebrations will be occurring in various locations in various parts of the world that week, no doubt. (I just received notice of a 75th birthday party in Oregon, for example.) The fact that this is Duluth's native son makes this event unique in many ways. If you join us, here are some of the places you may wish to visit as seen in a clip from the Smithsonian on How Robert Zimmerman Became Bob Dylan.


One highlight for many will be the time spent at Karpeles. Here are a few of the items you might enjoy.

Sheet Music for Chimes of Freedom with Dylan’s writing over the music 1964
Written over the sheet music for the song, Dylan signs and dates, doodles, and quotes part of one verse of Chimes of Freedom, which appeared on Another Side of Bob Dylan

Newspaper Advertisement for Golden Chords first paid performance 1958 
Robert Zimmerman had a music group while in Hibbing called the Golden Chords. This newspaper advertisement is from their first paid gig. It was at the National Guard Armory building in Hibbing, MN. The Golden Chords were comprised of Monte Edwardson on guitar, Leroy Hoikkala on drums, and Robert Zimmerman (Dylan) on piano. They played during the intermission of a sock hop. The performance took place Saturday, March 1st, 1958.

1965 Dylan Acetate Recordings 
Unlike ordinary vinyl records, which are quickly made by a mass-production molding technique, an acetate disc is created by using a special machine to cut the groove into the surface of a special lacquer-coated blank disc. This is a real-time operation requiring expensive equipment and expert skill for good results. They are made for special purposes and almost never for sale to the general public. They may have been used as "demos" of new recordings by artists or record labels, or simply to allow the artist to bring the recording home to listen to.

Camp Herzl photographs 1957
Early teenage photographs of Bob Dylan are very scarce. Here are two photographs of Robert Zimmerman during his visits to Camp Herzl in Wisconsin.

A teenage Robert Zimmerman attended Camp Herzl, near Webster, Wisconsin during the summer. The first photograph, taken in June of 1957 at Camp Herzl, shows a young Zimmerman holding a guitar, and to the left and right of him two life-long friends. Also pictured are Paul Black, who is furthest to the back in the photo. Farthest to the right is Dave Unowsky. We are looking to identify the person farthest to the left in the rear.

Dylan’s first solo concert flyer Nov. 4th, 1961
Before recording his first album in November of 1961, Dylan played in coffeehouses and clubs around the village. This flyer is from Dylan’s first solo New York concert. Izzy Young, owner of the Folklore Center, promoted the show and lost money on this venture. Bob performed the show at Carnegie Chapter Hall on Saturday November 4th, 1961.

Robert Zimmerman on motorcycle with Dale Boutang 1956  
Dale was “the best rider in Hibbing, a cowboy on wheels and a seasoned weight-lifter.” Dylan and Dale are pictured here with Boutang’s Harley 74, 1956. The photograph was taken by Beatty Zimmerman, Bob’s mother, in front of the Zimmerman home at 2425 E. 7th Street in Hibbing, Minnesota.

* * * *

And this is only the beginning. The rarest I am not even permitted to talk about.
To stay current with announcements and dates, visit the Duluth Dylan Fest Facebook Page.

Photo Credits
Top Right: Dylan portrait by local artist Moira Villiard
Lower Photo: Mural in Haight-Asbury district, circa 2008

Almost Wordless Wednesday: Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum Revisited

The acoustics are wonderful. 

Thursday March 10 Charlie Parr and Coyote will be performing. 

Details here. 

Almost Wordless Wednesday: Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum in Duluth

Learn more about Duluth's Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum 

Like their Facebook page and learn about upcoming events such as the 

March 10 event featuring Charlie Parr and Coyote.