Our video for the day is the performance of Bob Dylan’s “My Back Pages” at The 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration. The concert — held at on October 16, 1992 at Madison Square Garden — celebrated Dylan’s 30 years of recording. And this performance featured Dylan, Roger McGuinn, Tom Petty, Neil Young, Eric Clapton and George Harrison.
It is an amazing collection of legends onstage doing on of Dylan’s great early songs. “My Back Pages” originally appeared on his 1964 album Another Side of Bob Dylan.
What is amazing about this performance is how at the time of the concert, the singers were already legends and they seemed old at the time. But looking at it now, they all seem so young. Or maybe part of that is because I am so much older now.
Check out the video, which begins with Roger McGuinn singing the song, which he had previous recorded with The Byrds and released in 1967. Then, the others follow until Dylan takes the lead himself. In the meantime, one may watch Dylan’s face to make any guesses about what he is thinking as the others sing his song.
There are various interpretations of “My Back Pages,” although most read it as Dylan’s rejection of his younger idealism. But like many of his songs, listeners may find their own meaning and a little of their own life in the song. And, more than two decades ago, we found a little more connection to the song through many of the rock legends of our youth.
What is your favorite version of “My Back Pages”? Leave your two cents in the comments.
(Some related Chimesfreedom posts.)
