Before he was Bob Dylan, in 1961, he played at Caffe Lena. This is the second episode of Caffe Lena: 60 Years of Song. Each week, we advance one year as we hear significant artists who played the Caffe in the year and a recent discovery. Thank you to Sarah Craig at the Caffe for her help with the compiling of the lists of artists and songs.
Bob Dylan has since become a musical icon, but in 1961, he was still finding his footing on the stage.
Dylan's first album, Bob Dylan, released March 19, 1962, consisted of familiar folk, blues and gospel with two original compositions. The album sold only 5,000 copies in its first year, just enough to break even. Within Columbia Records, some referred to Dylan as "Hammond's Folly"[44] and suggested dropping his contract, but Hammond defended him and was supported by songwriter Johnny Cash.
One of the newer discoveries at Caffe Lena would be Rising Appalachia.