On July 25, 1965, Bob Dylan, up to then a traditional acoustic protest singer, performed his first electric concert at the Newport Folk Festival.

"Well, fuck them if they think they can keep electricity out of here!”

On a whim he said he wanted to play electric. He then assembled a band and rehearsed that night at a mansion being used by festival organiser.

This painting is the popiconic moment when the sound of both booing and cheering can be heard in Dylan's first song, "Maggie's Farm",

Ironically the song contains the lines:

Well, I try my best
To be just like I am
But everybody wants you
To be just like them.

It goes on to say:
They say sing while you slave and I just get bored
I ain't gonna work on Maggie's farm no more.

Dylan did not return to the Newport festival for 37 years. In an enigmatic gesture, he performed sporting a wig and fake beard.

He’s just won the Nobel Peace Prize for the lyrics, which he seems to be rejecting - silly sod!

Spiel By Steeve with additional material lifted from Wikipedia.

Available on:

*Paper with plastic hangers £30.

Thick watercolour paper  £30.

Canvas £39.

The Daily Telegraph £30.

 All about 60x76 cm

If you are interested in getting one done for you it's really simple, contact me, Steeve, via the contact system on this website.

Click to find out more about the paper and techniques used.