EP 991 The Beatles and Bob Dylan: What Relationship Did They Have?

 Individually and collectively, the Beatles and Bob Dylan were the pulse, the heartbeat, and the cultural pacesetters of the 1960’s.  They each influenced the course of popular music for generations, but until now, there hasn’t been a serious investigation into the ways their rivalry and collaboration affected the other. In his new book, “Where the Music Had to Go: How Bob Dylan and the Beatles Changed Each Other–and the World,” Jim Windolf, features editor at the New York Times, does a deep dive into the personal and musical cross-pollination between the two.  Would Dylan have gone electric at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965 if he didn’t want to cross over from folk to rock and roll because of the wild success of the Beatles?  Would the Beatles, particularly the edgy John have begun writing lyrics for songs like “Nowhere Man” and “Norwegian Wood” if not for the lyrical genius he aspired to in Dylan’s works?  Windolf chases down every encounter, influence and collaboration between the two most dominant change agents of a rapidly transforming world. It’s a great read and a fun interview with Jim.

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