I hitchhiked across the USA in Fall, 1965, to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. I was an insurance broker in San Francisco, and the ’60s were exploding around me. I had smoked pot — at age 28. (Think about it — 28 years before encountering alternate universes.)
On my way back to NYC from visiting my cousin Mike in Provincetown, I got picked up by some students from The Rhode Island School of Design. They said I could crash at their loft in Providence, Rhode Island, and they were going to a Bob Dylan concert that night, did I want to go?
$3.50 to get in and I told the cops I was a newspaper reporter, and I got to roam in front of the stage.
Black and white Tri-X film on a Nikon. I didn’t know much about Dylan. I was a Beatles and Stones fan. The first half was solo acoustic folk music. The second half was rock and roll! A lot of folkie fans walked out at intermission, but I had stumbled into the early part of Dylan’s 2 years of brilliance.
I looked at the photos 40 years later. Jeez, that’s Robbie Robertson! I ain’t gonna work on Maggie’s farm no more…
What is this? Holy shit!
I’ve just been looking at these photos, after they’ve been 42 years in the archives.
I came back to San Francisco and quit my job and went to work as a carpenter — 1965.
All this to preface:
1. I’m recuperating from almost a month on the road.
2. I’m working on a book of the ’60s, from my own point of view. I’m a native San Franciscan, went to high school in Haight Ashbury district, was 10 years older than the movers and shakers of the cultural revolution. I had a quite different experience in the ’60s than I see talked about in the media regarding the — ugh — Summer of Love. I’m still in the stages of seeing if the book is going to work.
3. Getting shoulder operated on tomorrow. Long recovery period.
A new octave coming up.
See ya when I can see see ya…
Time does fly, doesn't it! Sounds like it would be a very interesting book. I'm enjoying Small Homes (of course!)… got my copy a few weeks ago. Best wishes for the speediest recovery possible!!!
C
Best wishes for a smooth recovery!
What an amazing photo! Convalescing over back surgery myself now and jonezing to get back in the water. Looking forward to more tales of YOU shredding your skateboard and ripping the patch! All the best from the North Coast!
Thinking of you and sending well wishes. May your recovery be speedy!
Glad your back on home turf…I'll be waiting in line to buy your book on the '60's!!!!
I wish you a swift and flawless recovery. I'd love to read your memoirs! Do tell!
I recently finished 'Testimony' a very enjoyable and well done book and a whole lot about those infamous tours with Dylan that you caught that night, wow. I will look forward to yours as well!
bayrider, thanks, ordered this plus this wheel's on fire by levon helm — research!