On This Day in 1961

On this day in 1961, Bob Dylan played his first show in New York City, opening for the pioneer of electric delta blues, John Lee Hooker.

Dylan arrived in New York in January 1961, and spent months in the uptown theatre district trying to book gigs before landing one at Gerde’s Folk City in Greenwich Village. Gerde’s was then a newly established venue, previously an Italian restaurant, which would become a major hub of the 60’s folk movement.

Logan English, American folk singer, playwright, poet, and actor, was the MC at Gerde’s at the time and was instrumental in securing the gig for Dylan. His widow, Barbara Shutner remembers the day:

My husband Logan English and I met Bob Dylan at Bob and Sid Gleason’s house… One night we were all sitting around and Woody [Guthrie] said something like, “Play something” to this kid sitting on the couch. The kid was Bob Dylan, and he sang and it was just beautiful. So Logan said, “I’m working at Gerde’s. I’m the MC. We’ll get you to play there.” So that Monday night, Bob came in and did his first set.

Dylan was just 19 at the time and too young to hold a cabaret license to perform. Part owner of the club Mike Porco became his guardian so that he would be able to play the first show of the residency which was extended due to popular demand. Dylan described him as “the Sicilian father I never knew I had.” He later referenced this show in his song Talkin’ New York.

His setlist reportedly consisted of House of the Rising Sun, Song to Woody, Talkin’ Hava Negeilah Blues, and two other unknown tunes described as “unknown Woody Guthrie song” and “a black blues,” by New York magazine. A year later on April 16th, 1962 Dylan debuted the song Blowin’ in the Wind at Gerde’s.