The four bizarre historic events Bob Dylan wishes he had witnessed
Few artists can claim to have had such a profound impact on history that without their contributions, the world as we know it would be dramatically different. Bob Dylan is one such artist. Along with The Beatles and Nirvana, Dylan can confidently assert that his influence has been transformative, continuing to resonate deeply in today’s culture. Each of these artists has left an indelible mark not only on music but on society as a whole, shaping cultural movements and inspiring generations.
It heavily outlines the significance of Bob Dylan to the 1960s and beyond that he had such a tangible impact on The Beatles that not only did they seek to copy his folk style on 1965’s Rubber Soul—their first artistic departure from the straight-up rock ‘n’ roll of their early years—but Dylan also introduced them to weed. A distinctly stoned feeling underpins the album, offering a different dimension to usual folk. It was the first step on the personal and artistic odyssey they would embark on after having their first toots on the good stuff in their New York hotel room with the curly-haired troubadour. Without that convergence, things might have been so very different.
It’s fitting that Bob Dylan has made such a significant mark on history, as his music has consistently explored historical themes, ranging from biblical stories to political issues. Often compared to classical poets like Homer, Ovid, and Virgil due to the potency of his lyrics and his ability to capture the essence of the early 1960s, Dylan has earned the title ‘The Voice of a Generation’. His work delves deeply into a variety of topics, far surpassing other songwriters in the breadth and depth of his exploration. This blend of lyrical prowess and historical insight is what sets Dylan apart as a truly transformative figure in music and culture.
As sagacious as any of history’s most revered poets, throughout Dylan’s career, his concentration on humanity has been the glistening tip of his spear, with the informed quality of his words augmenting the quality of his varied musical oeuvre. This angle is typified by one of the most masterful compositions of his career in 2020’s ‘Murder Most Foul’. The song acts as a cerebral, stirring journey through the past that dives back into the madness of the early 1960s, discussing the JFK assassination, The Beatles, Thelonious Monk, and many others, with the track’s title aptly taken from William Shakespeare’s Hamlet.
Given Dylan’s long infatuation with history, when he spoke to Interview in 2012, he revealed the four bizarre historical events he wishes he’d witnessed. Characteristically, they’re an assortment plucked from across humanity’s timeline.
Four events Bob Dylan wishes he’d witnessed:
Hannibal crossing the Alps
Hannibal Barca is regarded as one of the greatest military generals of all time, up there with the likes of Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar in Western antiquity. The most famous name out of Carthage in North Africa, his exploits in the Second Punic War against the Roman Republic are legendary, and any history lover is familiar with them.
Hannibal’s most famous moment was when he invaded Italy by crossing the Alps in 218 BC with a load of war elephants in tow. It was a remarkable feat; not only was this a physical triumph, but it allowed him to bypass Roman and allied land and strike straight into the heart of the Mediterranean power. It remains one of the greatest military strokes ever.
Custer’s Last Stand
In 2003, Bob Dylan provided the song ‘Cross the Green Mountain’ for Robert F Maxwell’s Civil War epic, Gods and Generals. While the track is set during the bloody conflict between the Union and the Confederacy, Dylan is clearly, like many of his countrymen, fascinated with the era that birthed the United States as we know it. Although the Civil War is by far the most pivotal period in the US’ 19th century, perhaps the most heavily mythologised is Custer’s Last Stand.
It happened in the period after the Civil War when the country was expanding its reach into the West, resulting in the brutal destruction of the Native Americans’ naturalistic and nomadic way of life. While some Native Americans would put up a concerted resistance to the expansion of the country but eventually yield, forced onto reservations, their most famous victory was at the Battle of the Little Bighorn in Montana. On June 25th, 1876, George Armstrong Custer led the 7th Cavalry Regiment against a coalition of Native American tribes, and they were eviscerated, with every soldier of the five companies he led killed, including himself. This military defeat became known as ‘Custer’s Last Stand’.
Lindbergh landing in Paris
It’s not just brutal military history that Bob Dylan is a fan of, though. Possessing a holistic view of the past, the third notable moment he chose is when Charles Lindbergh landed in Paris in 1927. Despite the eugenics-loving aviator now being an infamous figure, there can be no doubt of the significance of this moment in opening up the globe.
Between May 20th and 21st, 1927, he completed the first nonstop flight from New York City to Paris, covering 3,600 miles in a solo journey that took him 33.5 hours. Flying in his aircraft, the Spirit of St. Louis, which was specifically built to win the Orteig Prize, which offered $25,000 for the first Allied flight between the two cities; while it wasn’t the first transatlantic flight, it was the first solo one, and the longest at the time. It showed that aviation between the two continents could be achieved on a more accessible level.
Houdini on the East River
Reflecting the more bizarre side of Dylan’s outlook and love of history is his fourth and final pick, Harry Houdini’s first performance of one of his most storied escape tricks on New York’s East River. In one of his most iconic publicity stunts, on July 7th, 1912, he first escaped from a nailed and roped packing crate lowered into the water.
As the police had forbidden him from using a pier, Houdini hired a tugboat and invited the press to join him on board. Locked in handcuffs and leg irons, he was then nailed into a crate, which was roped and weighed down with 90kg of lead. It was then dropped into the water, and in 57 seconds, the great illusionist had escaped. The crate was pulled to the surface, still intact, with the shackles empty. This was a crucial moment in Houdini’s career, and he would go on to perform the stunt on stage many times.
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