BOB DYLAN: LIVE IN NEWPORT 1963-1965

This Program Features a Collection of Exquisitely Filmed Performances Drawn From Three Seminal Years in Bob Dylan’s Ever-Evolving Career

A long-awaited event for Bob Dylan aficionados occurs on WPBT/Channel 2 in Miami, BOB DYLAN: LIVE IN NEWPORT 1963-1965, airing Sunday, December 9 at 9 p.m., brings together for the first time, a collection of exquisitely filmed performances drawn from three seminal years in the artist’s ever-evolving career. The picture and audio have been restored, including digitally re-mastered audio, using the latest technology.

The program captures full performances of some of Dylan’s greatest songs, including “Mr. Tambourine Man,” “Blowin’ in the Wind,” “It Ain’t Me, Babe” and “Like a Rolling Stone.” The Newport Folk Festival, which takes place annually in Newport, Rhode Island, is best known for introducing a number of performers who went on to become major stars. Dylan’s first Newport appearance in 1963 is generally considered his premiere national performance. His 1963 and 1964 performances made him popular with the Newport crowd, but in 1965, while headlining the music festival, he decided to “plug in,” resulting in a mixed response of cheers and boos. Dylan left the stage after three songs, only to re-emerge and sing two solo acoustic numbers. Many of Dylan’s folk fans felt he was abandoning his folk roots. The shift marked his changing artistic direction, his move from leading contemporary songwriter of the folk scene to rock ‘n’ roll star. 

BOB DYLAN: LIVE IN NEWPORT 1963-1965 was assembled from The Other Side of the Mirror – Bob Dylan Live at the Newport Folk Festival 1963-1965 and was produced and directed by Academy Award winner Murray Lerner (From Mao to Mozart: Isaac Stern in China). The film opens a window onto a critical epoch in American cultural history as reflected in the musical transformations of Bob Dylan’s watershed performances at the Newport Folk Festival in 1963, 1964 and 1965.

“This is a different kind of film, in a sense, from what I usually make,” said Lerner. “We decided on no pundit interviews, no interviews with Dylan. Nothing except the experience of seeing him … That to me is exciting. Just the clear experience gives you everything you need.”

Bill Flanagan, esteemed author and executive vice president and editorial chief of MTV Networks, as well as a frequent commentator on CBS “Sunday Morning,” hosts BOB DYLAN: LIVE IN NEWPORT 1963-1965. The program is divided into three sections, each corresponding to a highlighted year, and includes appearances by Ronnie Gilbert, Johnny Cash and Joan Baez.

1963

•    Film of Ronnie Gilbert
•    “All I Really Want to Do”
•    “Only a Pawn in Their Game”
•    “Talkin’ World War III Blues”
•    “Who Killed Davey Moore?”
•    “Blowin’ in the Wind”

1964

•    “Mr. Tambourine Man”
•    Johnny Cash, “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right”
•    Film of Joan Baez
•    “It Ain’t Me, Babe”
•    “Chimes of Freedom”

1965

•    “Love Minus Zero/No Limit”
•    “Rehearsal”
•    “Like a Rolling Stone”
•    “It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue”

BOB DYLAN: LIVE IN NEWPORT 1963-1965 concludes with “Maggie’s Farm.”