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Bob Dylan - Changing Times - 1979

John Wilson looks back at 1979 when Dylan embraced Christianity, released a Gospel album and refused to perform his old material live.

John Wilson looks back to 1979 when once again Bob Dylan marked the end of a decade by making some major changes in his life and career. He embraced Christianity, spent several months in Bible School and recorded a Gospel album, Slow Train Coming. When he tried to evangelize Jerry Wexler in the studio, the wily producer replied 'Bob, you're dealing with a sixty-two-year-old confirmed Jewish atheist. I'm hopeless. Let's just make an album'.

To the frustration of some of his fans, subsequent concerts were all-Gospel events. Dylan refused to play any of his old material, tended to give sermons between songs - even dismissing hecklers who demanded rock-n-roll with the words. 'You wanna rock-n-roll you can go down and rock-n-roll. You can go see Kiss and you rock-n-roll all your way down to the pit.'

1 hour

Last on

Wed 6 Nov 2024 02:00

Music Played

  • Bob Dylan

    GOTTA SERVE SOMEBODY

    • SLOW TRAIN COMING.
    • Columbia.
    • CD-32524.
  • Bob Dylan & The Band

    Precious Angel

    • Slow Train Coming.
    • Columbia.
    • 512349 6.
  • Bob Dylan

    I Believe in You

    • Slow Train Coming.
    • Columbia.
    • CK-36120.
  • Bob Dylan

    SLOW TRAIN

    • SLOW TRAIN COMING.
    • Columbia.
    • 1-1.
  • Bob Dylan & Mavis Staples

    Gonna Change My Way Of Thinking

    • Gotta Serve Somebody - The Gospel Songs of Bob Dylan.
    • Columbia.
    • 5111262-18131201.
  • Bob Dylan

    Do Right To Me Baby (Do Unto Others)

    • Slow Train Coming.
    • Columbia.
    • CK-36120.
  • Bob Dylan

    WHEN HE RETURNS

    • SLOW TRAIN COMING.
    • CBS.
    • CDCBS-86095.
  • Bob Dylan

    When You Gonna Wake Up

    • Slow Train Coming.
    • Columbia.
    • CK-36120.

Broadcasts

  • Mon 28 Dec 2009 19:00
  • Sun 11 Jul 2010 03:00
  • Wed 25 May 2011 00:00
  • Wed 16 Dec 2020 03:00
  • Tue 18 May 2021 02:00
  • Wed 6 Nov 2024 02:00