Christine Chanel

The Rolling Thunder Revue was a Bob Dylan tour that occurred in both 1975 & 76. Dylan had always wanted to do a rock carnival-like tour. It would eventually encompass old friends such as Joan Baez, Bob Neuwirth, Roger Mcguinn, Ramblin Jack Elliott, & even Joni Mitchell. It also featured musicians such as Ronee Blakley, Mick Ronson, T-Bone Burnette, & band leader & bassist Rob Stoner. Sometimes guests like Robbie Robertson, Rick Danko, Gordon Lightfoot, Roberta Flack, Issac Hayes, Ringo Starr, Stevie Wonder, Willie Nelson, or Ringo Starr would guest star. Many speculate on where Rolling Thunder comes from, but some claim it was dedicated to 60s hippie spiritual leader John "Rolling Thunder" Pope. Others claim it was due to Dylan hearing thunder & lightning one days ricohetting across the sky one time. Whatever the reason, after completing his 1st co-written album 1976 released album Desire with playwright Jacque Levi, Bob wanted to initiate the Revue concept by playing smaller halls & theatres due to his disinterests in arenas & stadiums. However, there were 2 major arena/stadium shows he did to benefit the cases of Rubin Hurricane Carter & John Artis. Both men were accused of committing murder & jailed unjustly in 1966. 1 benefit concert was held at Madison Square Garden on December 8th, 1975 & the other at the Astrodome in Houston, Texas in January of 1976. This is one of two performances that we will embark upon will be benefit shows centered around social justice, poverty, & equality based causes within the New Jersey & New York areas respectively.