The Beach Boys released 'Surfer Girl'; Macca announced the formation of Wings; Tears for Fears had something to shout about; Def Leppard released 'Hysteria'; singer and all-around good guy Tony Bennett has a birthday; and Bob Dylan returned to Newport Folk Festival after a 37-year absence, Today in Music History.

Video has emerged of Dawes frontman Taylor Goldsmith leading an all-star group of musicians in a Bob Dylan tribute jam this past Sunday at the Newport Folk Festival on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Dylan famously “going electric” at the festival. Among those joining Goldsmith were Robyn Hitchcock, Hozier, Gillian Welch, David Rawlings, and members of First Aid Kit and the Preservation…

The legacy of Bob Dylan extends from his birthplace in Duluth to his childhood home in Hibbing to the Dinkytown coffee shops that helped nurture his music career. Now, the City of St. Paul is claiming its place in Dylan lore by officially renaming a section of 4th Street as “Positively 4th Street.” On Wednesday, the St. Paul City Council…

50 years ago Bob Dylan took the stage at Newport Folk Festival carrying an electric guitar. He probably guessed he was about to create a minor ruckus—but he couldn't have known that he was actually creating one of the most iconic moments in rock history.

Country, folk and bluegrass fans are promised an “immersive music camp” atmosphere this September in “the land of Dylan.” The first two Arrowhead Music Experiences will feature workshops led by renowned singer-songwriters in northern Minnesota near Virginia and Biwabik, an area that influenced Dylan songs like “North Country Blues.” Minneapolis-based organizers Scott Schuler and Molly Maher say the camp is modeled after other…

Elvis Presley's televised gyrations caused a stir; Roy Oribson went to No. 1 with 'Running Scared'; U2 performed and recorded at Red Rocks; Paul McCartney released an album with a side of coffee; and Bob Dylan graduated from Hibbing High School, Today in Music History.

One of Duluth’s most unique musical events, the Blood on the Tracks Express, took place on Thursday evening on a train, and you’ve probably never heard of it. The sold-out Blood on the Tracks Express is part of the Duluth Dylan Fest, a celebration of Bob Dylan’s birthday, making this its fifth year on the rails. The…

Bob Dylan will appear on Tuesday night’s episode of The Late Show with David Letterman—Letterman’s second-to-last show before retiring. The May 19 show will mark Dylan’s first Letterman appearance since 1993. As Jim Walsh notes in his comprehensive chronology of Minnesota musicians on Letterman, Dylan performed “Don’t Start Me Talkin'” on Letterman in 1983, followed by “Jokerman”…

The Beatles released 'Let It Be'; John Sebastian had a hit from a TV show; 'Chariots of Fire' raced up the charts; a whole bunch of drummers celebrate birthdays; and Bob Dylan and friends shot an iconic film, Today in Music History.

The film 'Blackboard Jungle' pushes rock 'n' roll into the mainstream; Jefferson Airplane took a new name; J. Geils band's memory had just been sold; and Bob Dylan's self-titled debut album was released, Today in Music History.