It all started with a link on Dangerous Minds to a Bob Dylan clip from a
1984 Letterman show on which Bob played blinding versions of "Jokerman", and "License To
Kill" backed by a
rocking combination of members of the Plugz/Cruzados. (And, according to the
late Willy DeVille, Bob called him to ask where he could buy a sharp suit on 14th
Street for the show). After that, I can across a whole bunch of Bob and figured I should post
a few before Sony or someone rips them down.
Dylan's backing band on those Letterman show clips is J.J. (from an L.A. band called the 88s) on guitar, Tony Marisco (from the Cruzados) on bass, and Charlie/Chalo Quintana (from the Plugz/Cruzados) on drums. Dunno any more about J.J. but Tony would play in subsequent Dylan backing bands for several years, and Charlie did loads of sessions/tour drummer work. (He's gotta be on the road as I write this sentence.)
ReplyDeleteThey also performed a smokin' version of Sonny Boy Williamson's "Don't Start Me Talkin'" that night with Dylan playing harmonica, of course. When I interviewed Paul Shafer about that night, he said that Dylan and this band did a great version of Roy Head's "Treat Her Right" at soundcheck (!)
It was definitely a band that required a black shirt and a white tie. I tried to find a clip of "Don't Start Me Talking" but it seems to have fallen victim to the takedown.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for these. Will hastily relay on to friend Mike, a major fan of the old goat.
ReplyDelete