Support grows for Bob Dylan concert in Swansea
SUPPORT for a Bob Dylan concert in Swansea is gathering momentum like a rolling stone.
The legendary American singer songwriter, who changed his name from Robert Zimmerman to honour his favourite poet, Dylan Thomas, is said to be mulling over an invitation from Swansea West MP Geraint Davies to play at the city's Liberty Stadium next year.
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Bob Dylan
The concert, if it takes place, would form an important part a nationwide celebration of the centenary of Dylan's Cwmdonkin Drive birth in 2014.
Mr Davies raised the possibility of such a gig in Parliament this week by telling Andrew Lansley, the leader of the House of Commons: "We in Swansea will celebrate the centenary of Dylan Thomas's birth in 2014, and I have asked Bob Dylan whether he would be prepared to give a centenary concert in Swansea.
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"It would be a global event on TV and the web which would enhance Swansea's reputation, increase Bob Dylan's popularity and support Dylan Thomas's literary legacy."
Mr Davies added: "So far I've had a positive response from SonyMusic and Bob Dylan, and his managers are looking at the options.
"Meanwhile, MPs from across the Chamber are asking how they can get tickets."
Jeff Towns, owner of Dylan's Bookstore in Swansea and chairman of the Dylan Thomas Society of Great Britain, said: "I got into Dylan Thomas because of Bob Dylan. I bought one of his records in the 1960s and learned that he had taken his name from a Welsh poet."
Mr Towns said that the concert had a way to go before becoming a reality, but added: "If they could marry the two in Swansea it would be perfect.
"It will be almost the icing on the cake. All we can do is hope."
A spokesman for Derricks Music in Oxford Street, which has been selling records and concert tickets in the city for decades, said that if the concert came off it would be a major draw.
He said: "If they could pull it off it would be great. You can't ask for better than Bob Dylan, he's an absolute legend, there's no two ways about it."
Dylan fan Gerald Davies from Swansea said: "Stop pondering Dylan, get to the Liberty.
"You would not have your name but for Mr Thomas so it's payback time."
A Swansea Council spokesman added: "Bob Dylan is one of the most influential and well-known musicians of the last 50 years, so it would be welcome news if it's confirmed in future that he's to perform here.
"It would be a great addition to the exciting programme of activities that Swansea has planned to celebrate this centenary."
Comments
by EastSwanRes
Sunday, January 20 2013, 5:15PM
“I do like Dylan, but after seeing him in Cardiff a couple of years back, thought that the days of playing a big venue might be over - he was almost a pastiche of himself, a bit like watching someone doing a bad and incomprehensible impression of Dylan.
Having said that, I would love to see him play somewhere small and more intimate. Apparently he was very good when playing a small venue for 6 Music in London (Camden I think) just before with big tour.”
by lordcharles
Sunday, January 20 2013, 2:30PM
“Good to see this MP supporting another event in Swansea, sorry it's the first one he's supporting having objected to the beach motor cycling event that was planned.”
by SteveNoJobs
Sunday, January 20 2013, 12:53PM
“If he does come and play the Liberty I hope he can put on a good show. When he performed in Cardiff a few years back he was terrible and did nothing to justify what was an astronomical ticket price. Sure he used to be good in his day, but the times they are a changing....”
by reddylad
Sunday, January 20 2013, 9:56AM
“Very impressed eric the impaler ,,, you know other musicians [not that i consider justin a muso ] But really Bob cannot sing his lyrics are good but keep him off stage , i bet you like one direction lol”
by Eric_Pode
Sunday, January 20 2013, 9:46AM
“reddylad
Try googling my pseudonym.
I assume that you're into Justin Bieber.”
by reddylad
Sunday, January 20 2013, 9:25AM
“NOT BOB DYLAN ERECKK or didnt you take the hint lol , hey i love your use words pretty cool for someone with a nema loke yours ERIC Sounds like a baby fart”
by Eric_Pode
Sunday, January 20 2013, 9:12AM
“reddylad
What sort of cretinous trash does a submoron like you like?”
by reddylad
Sunday, January 20 2013, 8:41AM
“What a waste of the stadium having this ****** play on our sacred turf lol
but really ,, honestly he is a no talent ****** banking on some dubious hits”
by Dai_Chotomy
Saturday, January 19 2013, 10:45PM
“This link will take you to Bob Dylan's autobiography "Chronicles". There is a connection with Dylan Thomas, but it does seem somewhat tenuous.
http://tinyurl.com/ay7jx4a”
by arnoldlane
Saturday, January 19 2013, 11:19AM
“Its apparently not true that he changed his name because of Dylan Thomas.”