Reelin' in the Years Discovers Rare Bob Dylan Footage from Isle of Wight Festival
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Reelin’ In The Years Productions, the world’s premier source for footage of Musical Artists, Entertainers, & History makers is proud to announce the discovery of footage from Bob Dylan’s legendary concert at The Isle Of Wight Festival (which took place on an island located south of England in the English Channel).
Check out local San Diego affiliate CBS8's coverage of the story here.
In 1966, Bob Dylan was involved in a very serious motorcycle accident and for a number of years he did not perform, but on August 31, 1969 he did his first major concert at the Isle Of Wight Festival backed by The Band. It was such a big deal that John Lennon, George Harrison, Ringo Starr and other rock luminaries from England flew down to this show.
David Peck, the President and owner of Reelin’ In The Years Productions picks up the story: “Now, you would think an event this significant would have been properly documented but sadly there is very little professional footage of Dylan’s set. The BBC has a short news clip of “The Mighty Quinn” and there’s other news footage of “Blowin’ In The Wind” but most everything that is known to exist was shot on 8mm (silent) film or primitive portable video recorders. While recently looking through some unlogged raw footage shot by a German news crew for my newly signed clients WDR mediagroup GmbH, imagine my shock at discovering more than 2 minutes of Bob Dylan’s set, beautifully shot on 16mm film, and right in front of the stage! In this two minutes (with sound from the board) you see him perform parts of “Highway 61 Revisited”, “Rainy Day Women #12 & 35” and “Like A Rolling Stone.” To be 100% sure I had found something unique, I checked with some close friends who are authorities on all things Bob, and none of them had ever heard of this footage, let alone anything visually shot from this concert containing those three songs. My next call was to Jeff Rosen who has worked with Bob Dylan for 45 years as the producer for every Bob Dylan archival release on CD (as well as directing and producing quite a number of films concerning Bob Dylan.) I figured if anyone would know if this was a unique find it would be Jeff. Neither he, Dylan’s archivist, nor Jennifer Lebeau a renowned Bob Dylan chronicler and director and producer of the immersive film experience at The Bob Dylan Center in Tulsa had any idea this footage existed. To say they were blown away by my discovery would be an understatement.” Reelin’ In The Years Productions are honored that some of this footage they discovered will be featured a special exhibit about this historic concert at The Bob Dylan Center.
“The Isle of Wight performance is a critical landmark in Dylan’s story,” said Jennifer Lebeau. “Having the opportunity to debut this beautiful footage that Reelin’ in the Years Productions has uncovered, enables storytelling I haven’t yet had the opportunity to portray thanks to its quality and breadth of songs. I’m thrilled the material will make its debut for the film at the Bob Dylan Center. Dylan in front of a British crowd three years after his last shows in Europe, with members of The Band by his side - ironically on an island in the Atlantic versus at home in Woodstock, NY, captures the visceral energy one would hope to find.”
To see the full two minutes please see link below or click here
About the Bob Dylan Center®
To be anchored by a permanent exhibit on the life and work of Bob Dylan, the Bob Dylan Center® is committed to exploring the myriad forms of creativity that enrich the world around us. When it opens in the Tulsa Arts District in May 2022, the center will serve to educate, motivate and inspire visitors to engage their own capacity as creators. Through exhibits, public programs, performances, lectures and publications, the Center aims to foster lively conversations about the role of creativity in our lives.
As the primary public venue for the Bob Dylan Archive® collection, the Center will curate and exhibit a priceless collection of more than 100,000 items spanning Dylan’s career, including handwritten manuscripts, notebooks and correspondence; films, videos, photographs and artwork; memorabilia and ephemera; personal documents and effects; unreleased studio and concert recordings; musical instruments and many other elements. More information at bobdylancenter.com.