While on a short trip to France in early 1964, The Beatles picked up a copy of Bob Dylan's, The Freewheelin
. Hailed as the voice of his generation, Dylans music was appealing to The Beatles, particularly John Lennon. Until then, Lennon had been writing pop songs based around simple themes such as teenage relationships. Dylan on the other hand was writing poetic songs about issues of the day, such as race. The poet in Lennon was inspired and keen to meet the American singer.
As The Beatles prepared to embark on a tour of the US Lennon asked American rock journalist, Al Aronowitz, to arrange a meeting with Dylan. Nervous, and wanting to meet on his turf
, Lennon requested New Yorks, Delmonico Hotel, were The Beatles planned to set up base during their trip. When Al returned to the US ahead of The Beatles he passed the invite onto Dylan. Dylan who was now beginning to think about his move from folk to rock was more than happy to meet the band who was leading the invasion on the American Billboard charts.
On 28th of August 1964, The Beatles manager Brian Epstein was hosting a lavish reception at the Delmonico. In attendance were the American folk groups, Peter, Paul and Mary
and The Kingston Trio
. When word of Dylan's arrival reached the hotel-room roadie Neil Aspinall was dispatched to escort him up to meet the fab-four. With the focus now on Dylan the folk groups knew it was time to leave.
Obviously fascinated by one another, but equally unable to admit it due to ego, both the voice and sound of their generation exchanged awkward greetings. In an effort to break the ice Epstein offered the young folk singer a glass of champagne. However, Dylan, a true beatnik
, declined the offer asking for a bottle of cheap wine
instead.
With roadies, Neil Aspinal and Mal Evans dispatched to get the cheapest wine available the atmosphere began to relax. Dylan told the Beatles how he thought it was clever that they hid a line about getting high
, in their hit single, I Want To Hold Your Hand
. The Liverpool accent had rendered the words unintelligible to Dylan, who misheard the line I cant hide, I cant hide
with I get high, I get high
. The band were quick to point out the correct lyrics, admitting that cannabis was not as popular in the UK as it was in the US. On hearing this Dylan produced a bag from his pocket and his roadie was set with the task of rolling
.
With more than a dozen police in the corridor, and reporters just down the hall, Dylan brought Ringo to the far end of the back room. With rolled towels placed at the bottom of a locked door, Dylan passed a joint to Ringo. Unaware that etiquette requires the joint to be passed on, the drummer smoked the whole thing to himself. The band had already experienced cannabis in Liverpool, however it was poor quality compared to what Dylan offered them. Eventually everyone would partake, including manger Brian Epstein.
During the famous meet-up there would be no legendary songwriting session or exchanging of ideas. Instead Dylan and The Beatles did as any other group of twenty-somethings would do. The next couple of hours were spent sharing cheap wine and chatting before going their separate ways.
While George Harrison would remain close to Dylan in the years that followed, the biggest impact would be on Lennon. Hide Your Love Away
and Noreweign Wood
are two examples of how his approach to writing would be deeply influenced by the American. When Lennon was interviewed in the years after the split of The Beatles, he would often say how he got turned off Dylan after 1965. Further dissatisfaction with the singer was shown when Lennon, name-checked him in his song God
...I don't believe in Zimmerman. However, its worth pointing out that outside of The Beatles close-knit circle, the artist that Lennon mentioned the most in interviews was Dylan. Even before his death, bootleg tapes of demo songs capture Lennon mimicking his vocal style. While Lennon was quick to dismiss Dylan's music after the 1960's, it seems he was unable to shake the singer from his mind.