The new Bob Dylan box set, ‘Through The Open Window, 1956-1963,’ offers a remarkable insight into the development of the songwriter, showcasing his journey from high school band performances to gaining experience on the Greenwich Village folk scene and ultimately achieving commercial success. However, it does not feature a performance from the Ed Sullivan Show in May 1963, as Dylan declined the opportunity.
The controversy revolves around a significant song from his live performances during that period, which, interestingly, was never included on a full studio album. ‘Talkin’ John Birch Paranoid Blues’ is a classic talking blues with a fresh twist, showcasing Dylan’s strong influence from Woody Guthrie. This song, along with others he wrote during this time, contained provocative themes that critiqued the right-wing society, which raised some eyebrows.
“Now Eisenhower, he’s a Russian spy/ Lincoln, Jefferson, and that Roosevelt guy/ To my knowledge there’s just one man/ That’s really a true American: George Lincoln Rockwell,” he sang, referencing a contemporary neo-Nazi figure.
Bob Dylan recorded the song for his second album, ‘The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan,’ but it didn’t make the final tracklist, likely due to concerns from the record label. Nevertheless, it was meaningful to him, and when he received the invitation to perform on the Ed Sullivan Show on May 12, 1963, he knew he wanted to sing this particular song.
However, after the rehearsal, the show's staff grew apprehensive. When asked if he would consider performing a different song, Bob Dylan politely refused and left the set, which garnered significant media attention.
“I explained the situation to Bob and asked him if he wanted to do something else,” said Ed Sullivan Show producer Bob Precht in an interview with History.com. “Bob, quite rightly, said, ‘No, this is what I want to do. If I can’t play my song, I’d rather not be on the show.’”
The song, however, enjoyed a lengthy afterlife. ‘Talkin’ John Birch Paranoid Blues’ is included in the first volume of the Bootleg Series, and several versions can be found in the new box set, ‘Through The Open Window, 1956-1963.’ Its message – that right-wing fearmongering is ridiculous – seems more relevant now than ever.
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The new Bob Dylan box set 'Through The Open Window, 1956-1963' offers an extraordinary glimpse into the songwriter's beginnings, tracing his journey from chaotic high school band performances.