Bob Dylan's 1966 Concert: A Pivotal Moment in Music History
The night the world was changed in The Free Trade Hall, but not by the Sex Pistols
Image: Manchester Evening News
Bob Dylan's concert at the Free Trade Hall in Manchester on May 17, 1966, marked a significant shift from acoustic folk to electric rock, igniting controversy among traditionalists. This performance not only transformed Dylan's career but also laid the groundwork for the folk-rock genre, influencing countless artists. A decade later, the Sex Pistols' 1976 gig in a smaller venue further shaped Manchester's music scene.
- 01Bob Dylan's 1966 concert featured his transition to electric music, which was met with mixed reactions from the audience.
- 02The infamous moment when an audience member shouted 'Judas!' highlighted the tension between folk purists and Dylan's new direction.
- 03Dylan's backing band, The Hawks, later became known as The Band, achieving legendary status in their own right.
- 04The 1976 Sex Pistols concert, attended by fewer than 100 people, is considered one of the greatest gigs in history.
- 05Notable attendees of the Sex Pistols concert included future stars like Morrissey, Peter Hook, and Bernard Sumner.
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On May 17, 1966, Bob Dylan performed at the Free Trade Hall in Manchester, a pivotal concert that marked his transition from acoustic folk to electric rock. This performance was met with significant backlash from folk purists, culminating in an infamous moment when an audience member shouted 'Judas!' in response to Dylan's new sound. Dylan's fierce retort and the subsequent high-energy performance of 'Like a Rolling Stone' signified a major cultural shift, demonstrating that rock music could embody intellectual depth and poetic lyricism. This concert is credited with popularizing the folk-rock genre, influencing generations of musicians. A decade later, on June 4, 1976, the Sex Pistols played a now-legendary gig at the Lesser Free Trade Hall, attended by only about 42 people, including future music icons. This concert is often hailed as the catalyst for Manchester's punk scene, inspiring attendees to forge their own musical paths. Both events underscore Manchester's vital role in the evolution of modern music.
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These concerts have had a lasting impact on Manchester's music culture, inspiring local artists and shaping the city's identity as a music hub.
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