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Music News: Bob Dylan's first electric tour guitar going up for auction

Bob Dylan in 1966.
Bob Dylan in 1966.D.A. Pennabaker

by Jay Gabler

March 30, 2018

A 1965 Fender Telecaster played by Bob Dylan on his first electric tour is going up for auction. A portion of the expected $400,000-$600,000 price will go to the American Indian College Fund. The seller is the Band’s Robbie Robertson, who lent the guitar to Dylan and, later, to artists including George Harrison and Eric Clapton.

"This guitar has been on the front lines of so many phenomenal events, I gaze at it with amazement," Robertson says. "When I think about all the creativity this guitar has been a part of, I'm still blown away."

The Stratocaster Dylan played when he infamously "went electric" at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival sold in 2013 for $965,000. (Rolling Stone)

Charlie Walk out at the Republic Group

Charlie Walk, president of the Republic Group, is parting ways with the company in the wake of an investigation into multiple accusations of sexual misconduct. The New York Times notes that Walk is perhaps the highest-profile music industry executive to lose his job as part of the #MeToo movement. Regarded as one of the industry's most effective promoters, Walk worked with artists including Lorde, Ariana Grande, and the Weeknd. At least six women have accused Walk of "persistent harassment and inappropriate touching," reports the Times.

Jack White, Cardi B to play SNL

Jack White will be the musical guest on Saturday Night Live on April 14, with comedian John Mulaney hosting. Pop hip-hop sensation Cardi B will precede White on the SNL stage, guesting on the April 7 episode with actor Chadwick Boseman hosting. (Pitchfork)

Patti Smith concert documentary announced

A concert documentary chronicling the final concert in Patti Smith’s Horses 40th anniversary tour will debut at the Tribeca Film Festival on April 23. Horses: Patti Smith and her Band was shot at the Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles in 2016. No further release details have yet been announced. (Pitchfork)

The Boss announces second Album Collection box set

In 2014, Bruce Springsteen released a box set, on CD and vinyl, with remastered versions of his first seven studio albums. He's now announced the follow-up: The Album Collection, Vol. 2, 1987-1996, which comes out May 18. The new set will include Tunnel of Love (1987), Human Touch (1992), Lucky Town (1992), MTV Plugged (1992), and The Ghost of Tom Joad (1995).

"It also boasts a special 12-inch of Springsteen's 1988 live EP, Chimes of Freedom, and the first-ever vinyl release of his 1996 EP, Blood Brothers," notes Rolling Stone. To maximize sound quality, Tunnel of Love and Human Touch will become double albums for the set.