Touching Others Lives - Bob Dylan - Part 4

Even through bad times, we have to realize that we touch others lives when we don’t even realize it.  We may have an issue with a friend, co-worker or family member, remember, it’s just that an issue.  It’s not necessarily the person as a whole.. it’s the action that spurred us to become upset, angry or sad.  It’s tough sometimes to find a place to put that emotion.  If we realize though that we are responsible for our reactions and actions, that emotional bump in the road can be crossed.

Bob Dylan’s songs became anthems for Civil Rights Movements, he is a songwriter, singer, author, poet & painter, talk about artistic juices flowing and coursing through one’s veins.

Al Kooper was invited to sit in on a Dylan Session back in 1965, with the experience of session work he had done in the past, he felt quite comfortable playing and I can only imagine in his mind the night before that he was reeling with excitement at the chance.   He arrived early to this gig, so he could set himself up comfortably and not feel to out of place when Dylan arrived like a spinning tornado through the door with an “bizarre-looking” guy - that would have been Mike Bloomfield.   After hearing a few licks from Bloomfield, Kooper unplugged and scurried off to the control room.  Thinking a dream had been shattered!

With an empty seat at Organ, Kooper decided to jump at the chance, albeit in his mind the night before, he was playing guitar, and not being as comfortable playing the organ, he saw an opportunity, dream achieved in a round about way. Lesson to be learned, don’t be afraid to take chances.  Pages 35-36 in Backstage Passes & Backstabbing Bastards absolutely worth the read!

Years later, there was an issue with Dylan and Kooper, regarding credits on a project, Kooper walked away, and apparently decided it was not worth the destruction of a friendship. Not having spoke to Dylan for many years, Kooper was called to sit in on yet another project… somehow Kooper touched Dylan’s life, his music and his ability must have been engrained somewhere on Dylan’s soul.