The only public appearance of Punk Dylan riding the crest of New Wave! A 'Jokerman' with attitude and an astonishing performance all round. I especially love it when Dylan vanishes in search of what....a harmonica?He just leaves the Plugz to plug the musical gap !
He was handed the wrong harmonica. It's in the wrong key and he quickly realizes this and gets the roadie to get him the right key. Don't matter. It still kicks ass
I watch this every few months for just the sheer thrill of it - surely the greatest live performance in rock'n'roll history. Brilliant, beguiling, Bob.
I just read the interview with the bass player. They never got to the bottom of how Dylan picked them for a back-up band. It was probably from Jacob but another story says Dylan actually saw them. They were popular in LA punk scene but playing dives for a few bucks. Dylan had them come to his Malibu home and studio and didn't say anything about the Letterman gig until after a few rehearsals.
I recently read that as well, some great insight into what led up to this moment. The performance was magic back when it aired that night and it still wows me 40 years later. Dylan made a brilliant choice working with this band!
Just saw Bob Dylan, 2 months ago, his band was super tight ❤ Love Bobby Baby, have since I was a little girl, I’m just the right age to have grown up with Dylan, The Beatles and the Rolling Stones, just turned 69 & it doesn’t seem possible to be this old…
Just this week this version comes to me. I listen to it loud to feel the bass vibrate all around my being. First heard this song in 1986 while living in Austin Texas; the music capital of the world. Been a Dylan fan with 36 albums of his in my collection. My top favorites Elvis, Dylan, Beatles and the Rolling Stones, not necessarily in that order. Saw Dylan in Austin with Tom Petty in 1986. I'll be listening to this version for quite a while now since I just discovered it. A divine talent in creativity.
I dunno if I need to be talked down, but: After about 50 views this is Bobs GREATEST single filmed live song. I remember this happening at and was like, "Yeah, I'm still Bob freakin' Dylan. Agin. Still. Any questions?" Kick ass.
As I type this on this Sunday evening, the man himself just played both Friday and Saturday nights at the downtown Memphis Orpheum. I was unable to go, but I caught him when he was here in 2022. Anyway, thinking of him being in town made me revisit this jewel of a Bobformance. I love it when he rocks stuff or here even punks stuff up. The version of Gotta Serve Somebody on this R&RW’s tour is like that; very up tempo.
Agree! Also, IMO "Infidels" is the best and most cohesive studio album he cut during the entire 1980s (with possible exception of "Oh Mercy" at the end of the decade). Beautiful, by turns lyrical and epic, intimate and shrewdly satirical...and with a superb backing band (both Mark Knopfler and Mick Taylor on guitar!)
I remember this part of his career. I entered UCLA in 1979 and thanks to best friend Reggie Collins and favorite radical professor Victor Wolfenstein really started getting into Dylan, which coincided with his born again phase, which was to be sure an acquired taste. Then, as he transitioned out of the born again phase - Shot of Love and Infidels - the LA press began reporting Dylan showing up at local punk shows, including Los Plugz and if I remember correctly the last Clash version of Cut the Crap. It took Dylan a while to find himself as he soon started playing with Tom Petty and the Grateful Dead.
I love this so much, story was he just grabbed a local punk band for some gigs? Also thanks for uploading a cleaner version than the one I've been watching for 10 years.
There's an interview with a member of band. They allegedly spent time at Bob's learning songs, rehearsing, hanging out. Bob said he might be interested in a small tour but nothing became of it. I think it was lead guitarist that said, they didn't realize at the time that Bob was such an iconic figure with massive influence. ... He said looking back it seems like a dream & wish they'd have asked more questions. Who really it's the chance to play music and hang out with Bob at his place. Will post interview if I find it. Apologies for rambling but we could talk forever about Bob, his life, music, relationships, voice changes over the years, etc... ✨🕯️✨ @Bobby Daubert, sorry forgot to @ reply to U.
I could be wrong but I think Dylans son was a fan of The Plugz and they went to a show together and Dylan and them started talking and performing rehearsal jams which lead to this.
Such an amazing version of an utterly underrated song, he should have reinvented himself with so many songs like this in his following albums, had he been able to keep this ensemble together. At least we have this performance
Hi Michael, I’m just laying around the apartment with another case of Covid looking through some old videos when I noticed your comment. Years ago I wrote a detailed account of the harmonica incident and finally took it down when it reached several hundred likes. Long story short- Bob asked for the wrong harmonica ( as in the wrong key) just before the performance. Afterwards when I asked what happened he turned to me and said “ I made a mistake “. He wasn’t worried in the least as opposed to me who was mortified at what happened. After the show I thought I would never see him again but much to my surprise I was asked to join him on the upcoming European tour. By the way I still have the “ infamous harmonica “ in my possession. Thanks for commenting, Ed
Hi Jared I wrote a lengthy account of what I dubbed “ HarmonicaGate” years ago for RUclips and deleted after it was up for a couple of years. Don’t know if you saw it or not but I’m happy to answer any questions you might have about the rehearsals or the actual Letterman performance.
@@henryedwards6408Hello, again, Henry, Jared again (changed my screen name). I believe my last reply to you was deleted. Is there still a way to watch/read what you made for RUclips?
Hey Jared , happy 40 anniversary of the David Letterman show. I had no idea until I got your email today. My original comments can still be found on Reddit. Someone posted the video and my story. Whoever it was threw a little shade my way by saying even though it’s a good story he didn’t necessarily believe it was true. My reaction was I thought I made it pretty specific with several names to fact check. Anyway, thanks for reminding me…
David Michael Letterman (12 de abril de 1947) es un presentador, comediante, escritor y productor de televisión estadounidense. 77 AÑOS. 🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤
Needs a pipe!😎 Honestly tho - these kids were pretty game! I'm guessing Bob didn't want to shepherd some young band on the road in a stripped down limited way which is too bad. New wave-y Bob would've been great! THANK GOD he did that tour with Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers! That was the very best I saw Bob!
Yes, 2 of the original members..The drummer and bass player with a friend on guitar... The drummer died in 2018... You can check it all out on Wikipedia.......
Don't mean sheet,,, just a great tune,,, do it like a Bluestune,,,, do it like a bluegrass tune do it like a country do.... Do it like a jazz too.... Oh What does he know.!..I ah! I,ah! don't know I, ah I,ah don't know ...I don't know nothin.. that's a felony,,,, you can't make this stuff up folks
Bob Dylan (Duluth, Minnesota; 24 de mayo de 1941), registrado al nacer como Robert Allen Zimmerman, es un músico, compositor, cantante y poeta estadounidense, ampliamente considerado como una de las figuras más prolíficas e influyentes en la música popular del siglo xx y de comienzos del siglo xxi. En 2016 recibió el Premio Nobel de Literatura. 82 AÑOS. (83) 🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤
I have seen him live countless times and I can confirm this. There will be random times when he is really feeling it and hits a note way better than you were expecting
![BOB DYLAN: "Don't Start Me Talking" and "Jokerman" [LATE NIGHT WITH DAVID LETTERMAN 1984]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/1HzRdt22ZEQ/mqdefault.jpg)
![BOB DYLAN: "Don't Start Me Talking" and "Jokerman" [LATE NIGHT WITH DAVID LETTERMAN 1984]](/img/tr.png)
The only public appearance of Punk Dylan riding the crest of New Wave!
A 'Jokerman' with attitude and an astonishing performance all round. I especially love it when Dylan vanishes in search of what....a harmonica?He just leaves the Plugz to plug the musical gap !
And then he NAILS the solo
🤣
Is that Band really the Plugz?!?
@@derekr3607 Not quite! It is 2 members of The Plugz with a third.
He was handed the wrong harmonica. It's in the wrong key and he quickly realizes this and gets the roadie to get him the right key. Don't matter. It still kicks ass
True punk. No act. Real deal..
I watch this every few months for just the sheer thrill of it - surely the greatest live performance in rock'n'roll history. Brilliant, beguiling, Bob.
Yeah, I always think the same thing
And I'm a total runk n roll junkie
Hats off, absolutely
One of the most underrated dylan songs this is a gem
I just read the interview with the bass player. They never got to the bottom of how Dylan picked them for a back-up band. It was probably from Jacob but another story says Dylan actually saw them. They were popular in LA punk scene but playing dives for a few bucks. Dylan had them come to his Malibu home and studio and didn't say anything about the Letterman gig until after a few rehearsals.
I recently read that as well, some great insight into what led up to this moment. The performance was magic back when it aired that night and it still wows me 40 years later. Dylan made a brilliant choice working with this band!
Do you have a link to that interview? Would love to read it.
@@FZeroDragon It's in the book Pledging My Time: Conversations with Bob Dylan Band Members.
If Bob Dylan were playing in The Replacements.
Excellent point! My deepest respect to you
That's exactly what this is. Bob Dylan/Replacements and Max's
My exact thoughts.....too funny.
If Bob Dylan were playing in a *sober* The Replacements.
Brilliant reply. Spot on
Una canzone che varrebbe una carriera intera, per il 95% dei cantanti!!
This is the best, but also check out the other song from the night, "Don't Start Me Talking". Bob is having a blast.
Just saw Bob Dylan, 2 months ago, his band was super tight ❤ Love Bobby Baby, have since I was a little girl, I’m just the right age to have grown up with Dylan, The Beatles and the Rolling Stones, just turned 69 & it doesn’t seem possible to be this old…
Just this week this version comes to me. I listen to it loud to feel the bass vibrate all around my being. First heard this song in 1986 while living in Austin Texas; the music capital of the world. Been a Dylan fan with 36 albums of his in my collection. My top favorites Elvis, Dylan, Beatles and the Rolling Stones, not necessarily in that order. Saw Dylan in Austin with Tom Petty in 1986. I'll be listening to this version for quite a while now since I just discovered it. A divine talent in creativity.
I dunno if I need to be talked down, but:
After about 50 views this is Bobs GREATEST single filmed live song.
I remember this happening at and was like, "Yeah, I'm still Bob freakin' Dylan. Agin. Still. Any questions?"
Kick ass.
Complete Badass...
I am still moved by the original version of Joker Man, but damn! This kicks a$$. Thanks!
As I type this on this Sunday evening, the man himself just played both Friday and Saturday nights at the downtown Memphis Orpheum. I was unable to go, but I caught him when he was here in 2022. Anyway, thinking of him being in town made me revisit this jewel of a Bobformance. I love it when he rocks stuff or here even punks stuff up. The version of Gotta Serve Somebody on this R&RW’s tour is like that; very up tempo.
Man, when he's on, he's on
He is on divine talent!!!
Dear God ~ thank you for Bob Dylan
This version and the original, studio version are so different from each other, but they're both amazing and I love them both!
Agree! Also, IMO "Infidels" is the best and most cohesive studio album he cut during the entire 1980s (with possible exception of "Oh Mercy" at the end of the decade). Beautiful, by turns lyrical and epic, intimate and shrewdly satirical...and with a superb backing band (both Mark Knopfler and Mick Taylor on guitar!)
@@louise_roseagreed
Best energy he ever had outside of The Band.
❤
Credit to the band for staying unfazed by Bob's detour. It's like they had done it a 100x.
I just watched this for the 1000'th time. I m
eed to see it 1M more.
IKR? Me too!
I know exactly what you mean. DANG!!!! What a version!!!!
Why didn't this get put on the Bootleg album? It's bloody fantastic!
When I saw the list, I said the same thing to my Dylan fan buddy
Said millions of us. Because Bob never makes it easy! Even when it's one of the greatest moments in his career.
It did!!
Album version is much better
@@joedorer8867no, it didn’t.
I remember this part of his career. I entered UCLA in 1979 and thanks to best friend Reggie Collins and favorite radical professor Victor Wolfenstein really started getting into Dylan, which coincided with his born again phase, which was to be sure an acquired taste. Then, as he transitioned out of the born again phase - Shot of Love and Infidels - the LA press began reporting Dylan showing up at local punk shows, including Los Plugz and if I remember correctly the last Clash version of Cut the Crap. It took Dylan a while to find himself as he soon started playing with Tom Petty and the Grateful Dead.
Best Tv performance ever in a million years
best bob live version ever
Fascinating to see him go from looking pensive and awkward to pulling rock moves and pumping his fist in the air in the space of three minutes.
I love this so much, story was he just grabbed a local punk band for some gigs? Also thanks for uploading a cleaner version than the one I've been watching for 10 years.
There's an interview with a member of band. They allegedly spent time at Bob's learning songs, rehearsing, hanging out.
Bob said he might be interested in a small tour but nothing became of it.
I think it was lead guitarist that said, they didn't realize at the time that Bob was such an iconic figure with massive influence.
... He said looking back it seems like a dream & wish they'd have asked more questions. Who really it's the chance to play music and hang out with Bob at his place.
Will post interview if I find it. Apologies for rambling but we could talk forever about Bob, his life, music, relationships, voice changes over the years, etc... ✨🕯️✨
@Bobby Daubert, sorry
forgot to @ reply to U.
They were a pretty popular punk band lol
That's the Plugz baby.
@@michele-33 ' Ray Padgett ' brought me here
I could be wrong but I think Dylans son was a fan of The Plugz and they went to a show together and Dylan and them started talking and performing rehearsal jams which lead to this.
Absolutely magnificent ❤👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
This is a great version
Every Dylan's performance is surprisingly different but this is a very good one
Such an amazing version of an utterly underrated song, he should have reinvented himself with so many songs like this in his following albums, had he been able to keep this ensemble together.
At least we have this performance
Wow,, I just have no words…..
In its own way this is as good as the original and this is the 1st time ive heard it absolutely brilliant... ♥
I love you, Bob Dylan!❤❤❤❤
I love every hair on that curly head !!!!❤❤❤
So does Bob..............
At 1.04 I just love those leg moves!!! Like I do the Elvis the Pelvis leg moves.
When you're Bob fkn Dylan, you do what you do!
What a great backing band!
Just Wowwwwwwww !!! Absolutely cool !
Excellent!! Thanks for cleaning up the old video. Bob fit right in with this punk band. So cool. Great
A experiência de ver ele cantando ao vivo deve ser única,a voz crua eo sentimento puro é privilegio de poucos
The Plugz are having a blast being Bob's back up LA punk band. Fucking rocks.
Amazing 👏 bravo!! Cheers 🍻
this ain't no "Jokerman", but it's maybe the best version of "Jokerman" ever
Dylan's on stage movements remind me of Buddy Holly! Dylan never ceased to disappoint!
Dylan: that harmonica is in the wrong key.
Stage hand: what's a harmonica?
Hi Michael, I’m just laying around the apartment with another case of Covid looking through some old videos when I noticed your comment. Years ago I wrote a detailed account of the harmonica incident and finally took it down when it reached several hundred likes. Long story short- Bob asked for the wrong harmonica ( as in the wrong key) just before the performance. Afterwards when I asked what happened he turned to me and said “ I made a mistake “. He wasn’t worried in the least as opposed to me who was mortified at what happened. After the show I thought I would never see him again but much to my surprise I was asked to join him on the upcoming European tour. By the way I still have the “ infamous harmonica “ in my possession. Thanks for commenting, Ed
@@henryedwards6408 Good afternoon! Have you ever written or given an interview about this story? Would you be interested in doing so?
Hi Jared I wrote a lengthy account of what I dubbed “ HarmonicaGate” years ago for RUclips and deleted after it was up for a couple of years. Don’t know if you saw it or not but I’m happy to answer any questions you might have about the rehearsals or the actual Letterman performance.
@@henryedwards6408Hello, again, Henry,
Jared again (changed my screen name). I believe my last reply to you was deleted. Is there still a way to watch/read what you made for RUclips?
Hey Jared , happy 40 anniversary of the David Letterman show. I had no idea until I got your email today. My original comments can still be found on Reddit. Someone posted the video and my story. Whoever it was threw a little shade my way by saying even though it’s a good story he didn’t necessarily believe it was true. My reaction was I thought I made it pretty specific with several names to fact check. Anyway, thanks for reminding me…
a true icon!
David Michael Letterman (12 de abril de 1947) es un presentador, comediante, escritor y productor de televisión estadounidense.
77 AÑOS.
🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤
Brilliant,I am not joking ,man...Lev,Deut and Zimmy
I love that the bass player looks like a young Donald "Duck" Dunn of Booker T. & the M.G.'s.
Needs a pipe!😎
Honestly tho - these kids were pretty game!
I'm guessing Bob didn't want to shepherd some young band on the road in a stripped down limited way which is too bad. New wave-y Bob would've been great!
THANK GOD he did that tour with Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers!
That was the very best I saw Bob!
Is that the Plugz backing him up?
Yes, 2 of the original members..The drummer and bass player with a friend on guitar...
The drummer died in 2018... You can check it all out on Wikipedia.......
👍👏❤ from 🇮🇹
bass player right outta the 1950's
Io non ci sto credendo. Grazie
Shit fucking slaps so hard it lands like lanolin
The first harmonica he picks up, LOL
This is fantastic but what the heck is going on with that harmonica?
Anyone who's not heard the original released version, needs to hear it, it is brilliant, absolutely nothing like this version
I bet he did this to show people what his music sounded like without 80’s production.
fuckin biblical
Great read from the guy who misplaced the harmonica on Bob,if its here somewhere great read🤙
Dylan getting all power pop and or alternative rock...sounds like 1984
The bass player stealing the show! In fact the whole band sends it!
Tip: If you don’t like it the first time try turning the volume up…😉
Rock and roll.
fun for the kids
NA EPOCA...AQUI NO BRASIL ERA MUITO DIFICIL CONSEGUIR ALGUM VIDEO DE DYLAN TOCANDO AO VIVO...
It's tight and technical and consistent and particular. Dylan fronting for the Velvets in late 1968 or something. Like.
New Wave Bob.
❤
🎼⭐️⭐️⭐️
rock on bob
So fucking cool!
Harmonica -sizzle. ‘where’s my keys?
El puto amo
Don't mean sheet,,, just a great tune,,, do it like a Bluestune,,,, do it like a bluegrass tune do it like a country do.... Do it like a jazz too.... Oh What does he know.!..I ah! I,ah! don't know I, ah I,ah don't know ...I don't know nothin.. that's a felony,,,, you can't make this stuff up folks
Bob Dylan (Duluth, Minnesota; 24 de mayo de 1941), registrado al nacer como Robert Allen Zimmerman, es un músico, compositor, cantante y poeta estadounidense, ampliamente considerado como una de las figuras más prolíficas e influyentes en la música popular del siglo xx y de comienzos del siglo xxi. En 2016 recibió el Premio Nobel de Literatura.
82 AÑOS. (83)
🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤
I never knew The Replacements had covered Jokerman.
Gotta plugs this lol
Is there a Plugz bootleg in the vault? Please.
Great song but it's wild how Bob's guitar is nowhere in the mix which I think was a great idea.
Dylan should have recorded an album with the Plugz.
Ooo,i❤
Dylan was looking for right key harp
Charly Quintana on drums!! Rip
Keith Richards c. 1972 on guitar.
🎸💯👏💞🥰🎶
he sure could sing when he felt like it
I have seen him live countless times and I can confirm this. There will be random times when he is really feeling it and hits a note way better than you were expecting
Plugz RULE
Plugz Rulz
めっちゃカッケー！ノーベル賞なんかどーでもいいね。これこそ真実だわ。
Uma versão totalmente diferente da música original de 1983. Jokerman, coringa da série Batman dos anos 60.
Dylan doing his best Elvis Costello impersonation!
sábado de noite
He not busy being born is busy dying
So what became of Pam Gibson?
is that Keith Richards with the drummer from the clash? not
It's the Plugz an Los Angeles Latin American punk band.
@@andynoble2393 cheers man for listening to this masterpiece
Not really, but Paul Simonon from The Clash played on one track ("Sally Sue Brown") of Dylan's "Down in the Groove".
Charly quintana
of Social Distortion fame too.@@totalgreen810
Charlie Sexton Great
Looks like he needed the right harmonica.
You need to get some Iron in your Range
Not lost on me that he's singing a song called Jokerman and he's playing with a punk band. Joke is on who? 🤣🤣🤣
What in the hell is he saying?
Listen to the studio version. It's slower, more clear and the lyrics are quite stunning, with great guitar work from Mark Knofler.
First harp, wrong key. So Mr D had to WAIT. He's a position player? No.
but anything went in the 84
Not as good as the studio version with Sly and Robbie as the rhythm section.
I'm a HUGE dylan fan, but this is a fail.