Bob Dylan shakes up touring band after another guitarist shuffle
Bob Dylan continues to shake down his touring band after a string of guitarist switch-ups, which saw both of his long-serving guitarists, Doug Lancio and Bob Britt, leaving the group.
On July 10th, eagle-eyed Dylan fans spotted a new guitarist in his live band in Cincinnati, Ohio, at PNC Pavilion. This time, Memphis-based rhythm and blues guitarist and vocalist J Jad Tariq performed with Dylan’s band.
Tariq had replaced Julian Lage, who had previously replaced Lancio after he quietly exited the tour in mid-June. However, this is less likely to be down to interpersonal issues, because Lage had scheduling conflicts for mid-July from his first appearance, as he is busy at the Minerva Musicae Jazz Festival in Italy.
However, the change is noteworthy given the continued shuffling of the live band formation; earlier this summer, only two weeks after Lancio departed, Bob Britt also left the band. Britt had been a staple in Dylan’s band since 2019.
He later took to Facebook to clear the air regarding his exit, where he wrote, “I’d like to clear it up. I was not fired but left of my own accord for reasons I would prefer to keep private. I will miss my band mates and crew.”
Britt politely went on to add that he was “looking forward to getting back to doing sessions,” while leaving the door open somewhat regarding touring. “We will see what the future holds. Meanwhile, I have some flower beds to weed,” he signed off.
As a result, Chicago blues and jazz guitarist Joel Paterson was brought in to replace Britt, plucked from his weekly Monday-night gig at the 150-seat Green Mill Cocktail Lounge in Chicago.
Dylan’s next show will take place on July 12th in Pittsburgh, PA, at Stage AE. Sure enough, any fans in attendance will be keeping a firm eye on who walks out on stage with him.
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