Relive Bob Dylan’s Legendary Rolling Thunder Revue With Rare Photos
Bob Dylan's Rolling Thunder Revue of 1975 was unlike any other tour in rock history. His newest album at the time was Blood on the Tracks, and he could have easily packed arenas all over the country, but he opted to play a series of tiny theaters with old friends Joan Baez, Ramblin' Jack Elliott and Roger McGuinn with virtually no advance notice. At the same time, Dylan was filming his surreal movie Renaldo and Clara with many of the performers on the tour along with his wife Sara and Allen Ginsberg.
Along for the wild ride was the late photographer Ken Regan, who shot over 14,000 images. Only a tiny portion of them have ever been seen by the public, but selections from his archives can be seen in the new book Rolling Thunder: Photographs by Ken Regan, which you can buy right here. Here's a look at some incredible photos from Regan's collection.
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Playback at Bette Midler Session
Image Credit: Ken Regan Bob Dylan and Bette Midler recorded a duet on the Blood on the Tracks tune "Buckets of Rain" in October of 1975. He wanted her to take part in the Rolling Thunder Revue, but she didn't wind up signing up for the crazy trip.
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With Patti Smith at a Greenwich Village Party
Image Credit: Ken Regan Shortly before launching the Rolling Thunder Revue, Bob Dylan began hanging out in Greenwich Village clubs. He met Patti Smith and they formed a tight bond that lasted for decades.
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Approving the Rolling Thunder Flyer
Image Credit: Ken Regan Original posters and flyers from the Rolling Thunder Revue are now highly collectible. Here's Dylan approving one of them.
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With Bette Midler at New York’s Secret Sound Studios
Image Credit: Ken Regan Midler's "Buckets of Rain" cover appeared on her 1976 LP, Songs for the New Depression.
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Simple Dressing Room for the Star
Image Credit: Ken Regan The backstage accommodations at the theaters on the Rolling Thunder Revue were a far cry from what Dylan experienced on his 1974 arena and stadium tour with the Band.
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Dylan Onstage
Image Credit: Ken Regan The Rolling Thunder Revue set list mixed in Sixties folk-era classics like "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall" and "The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll" with newer songs like "Tangled Up in Blue" and "Romance in Durango."
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The Grand Finale
Image Credit: Ken Regan At the end of the night, all the performers would come onstage for "Knockin' on Heaven's Door."
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Bob Dylan Backstage Wearing a Mask
Image Credit: Ken Regan Dylan often wore masks and face paint during the Rolling Thunder Revue period. The disguises tied into the complex plot of Renaldo and Clara, though at the time they merely confused many in Dylan's orbit.
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Bob Dylan with Muhammad Ali
Image Credit: Ken Regan Muhammad Ali visited Dylan backstage when the tour reached Madison Square Garden.
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Bob Dylan Meeting “Hurricane” Carter
Image Credit: Ken Regan Shortly before launching the Rolling Thunder Revue, Dylan became aware of the plight of boxer Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, who was in prison for a murder he claimed he didn't commit.
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Bob Dylan With “Hurricane” Carter Shirt
Image Credit: Ken Regan Every night on the Rolling Thunder Revue, Bob Dylan sang a passionate rendition of "Hurricane" and implored the crowd to lobby for the release of Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, whom Dylan said was racially profiled and unlawfully tried and convicted.
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Food at the Breakers in Newport
Image Credit: Ken Regan For many on the Rolling Thunder Revue, the tour doubled as a nonstop party. Here, Dylan and friends enjoy some downtime in Newport, Rhode Island.
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At the Breakers
Image Credit: Ken Regan Dylan and many of the Rolling Thunder gang shoot a scene for Renaldo and Clara in Rhode Island.
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Dylan and Allen Ginsberg Visit Jack Kerouac’s Grave
Image Credit: Ken Regan In one of the most memorable scenes from Renaldo and Clara, Dylan and Allen Ginsberg visit Jack Kerouac's grave.
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Prepping for a Niagara Falls Visit
Image Credit: Ken Regan Dylan suits up for a visit to the iconic landmark.
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Raincoats for Niagara Falls
Image Credit: Ken Regan The gang prepares to take on Niagara Falls.
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Niagara Falls Views
Image Credit: Ken Regan Once he actually reached the falls, Dylan ditched the hood.
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Lunch at the Dream Away Lodge
Image Credit: Ken Regan The day after playing the Springfield Civic Center, Bob Dylan and the Rolling Thunder gang visited Mama Frasca's Dream Away Lodge in Becket, Massachusetts.
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With Roger McGuinn and Gordon Lightfoot
Image Credit: Ken Regan During downtime from the tour, Dylan jams with Roger McGuinn and Gordon Lightfoot.
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Bob With a Beagle
Image Credit: Ken Regan The hat Dylan is wearing in this photo appears on the cover of Desire. The story behind the beagle remains a mystery.
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Dylan Sings
Image Credit: Ken Regan Dylan's vocals have rarely been as passionate and intense as they were on the Rolling Thunder Revue.
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Duet with Ronee Blakley at the Other End Club
Image Credit: Ken Regan The New York folk haunt the Other End became a key hangout for Dylan in the weeks leading up to Rolling Thunder. Here he is at the club with Ronee Blakley.
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Not Clowning Around
Image Credit: Ken Regan Dylan played entire sets in white face paint during the tour.
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Reading ‘Crystal Magick’ at New York Rehearsal
Image Credit: Ken Regan Dylan reads the incredibly obscure 1968 New Age book Crystal Magick by Carlyle A. Pushong.
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Backstage With Bucket
Image Credit: Ken Regan The purpose behind Dylan's makeup has never been fully explained, though there are heavy rumors that the Dylan camp was prepping an extensive documentary of the tour. Such a film might shed light on some of Rolling Thunder's enduring mysteries.