People: Dylan’s guitar back at scene of the ‘crime’
The guitar that Bob Dylan used to go electric at the Newport Folk Festival 50 years ago is back in Newport.
“Dylan’s guitar is home,” festival producer Jay Sweet said through a spokeswoman Friday, the opening day of this year’s three-day outdoor festival in the Rhode Island community.
Dylan used the Fender Stratocaster in his performance on July 25, 1965, when he strode on stage in a leather jacket and launched into the song “Maggie’s Farm.” The performance drew a mix of boos and cheers from the audience, from some who were thrilled by the performance and others who felt abandoned by someone who until then had been best known for singing protest songs with an acoustic guitar. The moment is considered one of the most important moments in rock history.
Jim Irsay, owner of the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts, bought the guitar in 2013 for $965,000. It was the most expensive guitar ever sold at auction. The curator of his rare guitar collection brought it to the festival Friday.
This weekend’s festival is paying tribute to Dylan’s performance in a number of ways, including a still-secret lineup of around a dozen acts today that will not be revealed until they step on stage. The festival is also hosting a discussion of a book out this month that examines the performance, and what led up to it.
Organizers said they also hope the guitar could be played this weekend, although it has not been played in public in 50 years. It’s not clear yet who might play the guitar, although Sweet has said repeatedly that while an invitation was extended to Dylan, he would not be coming to the festival this year.
Grandmaster Flash’s car given away
New York City police have launched an investigation after hip-hop heavyweight Grandmaster Flash’s car was given away at a Manhattan parking garage. The incident happened July 16 around 7:30 p.m., according to the New York Police Department.
Police say Grandmaster Flash, whose real name is Joseph Saddler, parked his 2014 Dodge Charger in the garage in Chelsea. When he returned more than an hour later, the attendant told him he had given the car away to someone else. The attendant said he “made a mistake,” thinking the person he turned the car over to was Grandmaster Flash, police said.
Detectives are investigating the incident as grand larceny. The car has not been found.
The birthday bunch
Actress Marjorie Lord is 97. Actress-singer Darlene Love is 74. Rock star Mick Jagger is 72. Actress Helen Mirren is 70. Rock musician Roger Taylor (Queen) is 66. Actress Susan George is 65. Olympic gold medal figure skater Dorothy Hamill is 59. Actor Kevin Spacey is 56. Actress Sandra Bullock is 51. Actor-comedian Danny Woodburn is 51. Actor Jeremy Piven is 50. TV host Chris Harrison (“The Bachelor”; “The Bachelorette”) is 44. Actress Kate Beckinsale is 42.