On August 28, 1964, Bob Dylan caused a stir at the Newport Folk Festival when he took the stage with an electric guitar and a backing band, effectively "going electric." This event marked a significant turning point in Dylan's career and sent shockwaves through the folk music world.
Dylan, who had been known for his acoustic performances and socially conscious lyrics, surprised the audience by launching into an electrified version of "Maggie's Farm." The band, which included members of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, provided a powerful and gritty sound that was a far cry from Dylan's usual solo acoustic performances.
The reaction from the crowd was mixed, with some cheering and others booing. Many folk music purists felt that Dylan had betrayed the genre by embracing rock and roll. There are even rumors that Pete Seeger, a prominent figure in the folk music scene, tried to cut the sound cables with an axe during the performance (although Seeger later denied this).
Despite the controversy, Dylan's electric set at Newport marked a significant shift in popular music. It demonstrated that an artist could evolve and experiment with different styles, and it paved the way for the fusion of folk and rock that would become known as "folk-rock." Dylan's subsequent albums, such as "Highway 61 Revisited" and "Blonde on Blonde," further cemented his status as a groundbreaking and influential musician.
The events of August 28, 1964, at the Newport Folk Festival have become a legendary moment in music history, symbolizing Dylan's artistic transformation and the changing landscape of popular music in the 1960s.
