Bob Dylan archives land in Oklahoma, near Guthrie museum
More than 6,000 items of Bob Dylan memorabilia such as handwritten lyrics to “Tangled Up In Blue” and his first contract with a music publisher have found a home in Oklahoma near a museum honoring one of his major influences, folk singer Woody Guthrie.
The archives from Dylan’s six-decade career, acquired by the George Kaiser Family Foundation and the University of Tulsa for between $15 million and $20 million, also include early recordings from 1959 and a wallet that contains Johnny Cash’s former address and phone number.
Dylan, who’s originally from Minnesota, said he’s glad the archives found a home and the Tulsa location makes a lot of sense, “to be included with the works of Woody Guthrie and especially alongside all the valuable artifacts from the Native American Nations.”
“It’s a great honor,” Dylan said in a statement.
A few items were already on display Wednesday at the Gilcrease Museum, including Dylan’s cigarette-stained lyrics to “Chimes of Freedom” on stationery from the Waldorf Astoria hotel in Toronto and early iterations of “Visions of Johanna” written on sheets from a yellow legal pad.
“The only damage is Bob’s coffee stains and cigarette stains,” said Michael Chaiken, the inaugural curator of the collection.
De Niro pushing vodka line personally
Robert De Niro will be appearing as himself at a Pennsylvania state liquor store.
The state liquor control board said De Niro will take part in grand opening festivities Friday for a Fine Wine and Good Spirits store in Glen Mills, about 30 miles west of Philadelphia. The the actor will participate in a ribbon-cutting ceremony and then a private meet-and-greet for 15 randomly selected attendees.
He’s in the state promoting his vodka line, called VDKA 6100. Other lucky attendees will get a chance to buy a bottle signed by the two-time Academy Award winner.
He’s not the first star to promote his wares in state stores. Actor Dan Aykroyd and rapper 50 Cent have made appearances in recent years.
Tunnel honors Robin Williams
A tunnel with rainbow arches that connects the Golden Gate Bridge to greater Marin County has officially become the Robin Williams tunnel.
The new Robin Williams Tunnel signs were installed Monday night. The tunnel was unofficially known as the Waldo Tunnel.
State lawmakers approved a resolution last year to change the tunnel’s name to honor the late actor and comedian, who grew up and lived in the San Francisco Bay Area.
The two signs – one for each side of the tunnel – cost $3,000. Private donations paid for the cost.
The birthday bunch
Actress Paula Prentiss is 78. Author James Ellroy is 68. Musician Emilio Estefan is 63. Actress Catherine O’Hara is 62. Actress Patricia Heaton is 58. Actor Steven Weber is 55. Gay rights activist Chaz Bono is 47.