In 1963, Bob Dylan sang at the March on Washington, where King gave his "I Have A Dream" speech. Last February, Dylan appeared at the White House for In Performance at the White House: A Celebration of Music from the Civil Rights Movement. On January 20, 1986, Bob Dylan participated in a celebration of the first Martin Luther King, Jr., day:
John F. Kennedy Performing Arts Center, Opera House, Washington, District Of Columbia
Courtesy of Olof:
Bob Dylan (vocal & guitar).
1.The Bells Of Freedom - with Stevie Wonder (shared vocal)
2. I Shall Be Released - with Stevie Wonder’s band Wonderlove, and possibly The Queens Of Rhythm
3. Blowin' In The Wind - with Stevie Wonder (shared vocal), Mary Travers (shared vocal), Noel Paul Stookey (shared vocal & guitar), Peter Yarrow (shared vocal & guitar)
4. Happy Birthday - Stevie Wonder, with orchestra conducted by Quincy Jones. Debbie Allen, Joan Baez, Harry Belafonte, The Boys Choir Of Harlem, Bill Cosby, André Crouch, Neil Diamond, Eastern High School Blue & White Marching Machine, Amy Grant, Dick Gregory, Gregory Hines, Whitney Houston, Judy Jamison, Al Jarreau, Patti LaBelle, Kenny Loggins, Wynton Marsalis, Bette Midler, Eddie Murphy, Michael Peters, Pointer Sisters, The Reach Ensemble, Lionel Richie, Diana Ross, The Shiloh Gospel Choir, Elizabeth Taylor, Cicely Tyson, Barbara Walters, Dionne Warwick, Ben Vereen (shared vocal).
Notes
· 2-4 broadcast by NBC-TV same day with two hours delay and later by several TV-stations worldwide in the program “An All-star Celebration Honoring Martin Luther King Jr.”.
· The backing singers on track 4 were singing from New York City, New York.
2-4 mono TV broadcast.
Stereo audience recording, 12 minutes
SIDE NOTES:
- Peter, Paul & Mary were supposed to perform with Dylan at 1985's Live-Aid, but were replaced at the late minute by Ron Wood and Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones. According to Stookey in Howard Sounes' book, Down The Highway, "Mary was like a woman scorned . . . She was really hurt." This may have been a way to make it up to the trio.
- Dylan changed one lyric in "Blowin' In The Wind" ("turn his back"), but completely re-wrote "I Shall Be Released." Here are some samples:
It don't take much to be a criminal
One wrong move and they'll turn you into one
At first, decay is just subliminal
To protect yourself and you're forever on the run
He will find you where your stayin'
Even in the arms of somebody else's wife
Your laughin' now, you should be prayin'
To be in the midnight hour of your life
I see my light come shinin'
I don't need no doctor or no priest
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Comments
For the setlist, do you mean "Chimes of Freedom"? Or is "Bells of freedom" the correct title, and a different song altogether? Just curious. Thanks
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