Bob Dylan Opens White House Concert Series

Last night began the "In Performance at the White House" concert series, and focused on music from the civil rights era. Both Bob Dylan and Joan Baez performed, though not in fact together. (Initial buzz had specualted that they would be singing a duet.) Smokey Robinson, Yolanda Adams, the Blind...

By Sarah Ventre

February 10, 2010

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "18478561",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "16759093",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "17980324",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "16759092",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "17980324",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 24
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "16759094",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 24
        }
      ]

Last night began the "In Performance at the White House" concert series, and focused on music from the civil rights era. Both Bob Dylan and Joan Baez performed, though not in fact together. (Initial buzz had specualted that they would be singing a duet.) Smokey Robinson, Yolanda Adams, the Blind Boys of Alabama, Natalie Cole, and Dr. Bernice Johnson, one of the original freedom singers, also sang at the event.

Adams evidently changed the lyrics to "A Change is Gonna Come" to say, "A change has come -- shouting out to Obama's historic '08 campaign. (Dylan did not change the lyrics to "The Times They Are A-Changin'", and even drew attention to the lines asking Senators and Congressmen to heed the calls.) You can watch the performance Thursday a 11 p.m. on PBS, and a stream is also available on NPR's website.

STORY: Bob Dylan Sings "The Times They Are A-Changin'" for President Obama

Other news of the music world...

Tiny Mix Tapes: Media Institute Disputes Performance Right, Says Artists Should Stop Trying To Eat The Cake They've Got
State Press: Free 'Dear Jack' screening to raise money for leukemia research
Spin: Q&A: Patrick Stump
Rolling Stone: Musician Apologizes for Ad's Similarity to White Stripes Song
So Much Silence: Lymbyc Systym: Bedroom Anthem (video)

KEEP NEW TIMES FREE... Since we started New Times, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Phoenix, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.