The early years of Bob Dylan, which have been heavily mythologized, gained attention in 2025 with the release of the acclaimed biopic A Complete Unknown and a comprehensive, rewarding box set. However, one critique that can be made is the lack of any mention of British influence – for instance, Dylan's 1962 trip was a pivotal moment for both his own artistry and his connection with the UK.
The winter of 1962 was long, harsh, and frigid. Bob Dylan arrived in the UK largely unknown, as his debut album had only garnered attention among folk enthusiasts. Invited by the BBC, he was set to perform in a play called The Madhouse on Castle Street, written by young Jamaican playwright Evan Jones – notably, the only existing recording was erased in 1968, a common practice of that era.
Although we can't view the performance, these frigid days in London were crucial for Bob Dylan's ascent. Staying at the May Fair Hotel near Berkeley Square with manager Albert Grossman, the American musician participated in an informal folk session at The King and Queen in Fitzrovia.
Martin Carthy, a prominent figure in English folk music, was present and took Dylan under his wing. Invited to perform on stage, Dylan played three songs, one being ‘Talking John Birch Paranoid Blues,’ which earned him a standing ovation.
The timing was perfect, as Bob Dylan was featured on the cover of Sing Out! magazine, found in Collet's Music Shop on New Oxford Street.
The next evening, Carthy was scheduled to play at the Troubadour folk club in Earl’s Court, and Dylan accompanied him once again, this time performing his unreleased song ‘Masters of War.’
The impact was significant. ‘Masters of War’ was inspired by the English folk tune ‘Nottamun Town,’ and it is believed that during this visit, Dylan was influenced by Carthy’s rendition of ‘Scarborough Fair,’ which helped transform his beloved ‘Girl From The North Country.’
Those performances were just brief spots, yet it is widely regarded that Dylan's first official show in London took place at the Pindar of Wakefield tavern in Kings Cross, now called Water Rats. He performed upstairs at the Singers Club Christmas Party on Sunday night, December 23rd.
Hosted by Ewan MacColl, Dylan didn’t bring his own instrument; in famous photos from the event, he is seen playing a guitar borrowed from Barry Beattie.
The Christmas trip was poorly documented, and no recordings of the performances are believed to exist. Nevertheless, Dylan did manage to do some side work; he appeared on the show ‘Dick Farina & Eric Von Schmidt’ using the pseudonym Blind Boy Grunt, a name intended to keep his record label unaware of his activities. Recorded in the basement of Dobell’s Jazz Record Shop near Charing Cross, this rare piece offers a valuable insight into the immediate influence Bob Dylan had on the UK folk scene and vice versa.
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The highly mythologized early years of Bob Dylan have gained significant attention in 2025, thanks to the praised biopic A Complete Unknown and a thorough, immensely gratifying