Bob Dylan is Dead

Album: Marvin Country! (2012)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is one of several tunes that former Lone Justice bassist Marvin Etzioni wrote about his former music heroes for his 2013 solo double album, Marvin Country! He told us that he "started writing that song in the '80s," inspired by a review of one of Dylan's albums. "And they just really tore it to shreds," he added. "I thought, you know what, God forbid if anything should happen to Dylan. Whoever wrote that article would not want to be remembered writing that. I mean, he just accomplished so much. Who cares if this album's not your favorite, you know? It might be in 20 years. He's that kind of guy, he's that kind of artist."
  • The song was originally cut in a guitar version in D, but Etzioni felt it was a bit low, so he re-recorded it with added mandolin and The Angel City Chorale. He drafted in his friend, Willie Aron to co-produce the tune with him and direct the choir, then, " we just cut that live in the studio."
  • Etzioni got to work with Bob Dylan in the mid 1980s when Lone Justice did one of his songs, "Go Away Little Boy" and the folk legend contributed to the recording. Etzioni told us that he's "I ran into him a couple of times since then. It's always nice running into him and talking about stuff."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"They're Playing My Song

A song he wrote and recorded from "sheer spiritual inspiration," Allen's didn't think "Southern Nights" had hit potential until Glen Campbell took it to #1 two years later.

Richard Marx

Richard MarxSongwriter Interviews

Richard explains how Joe Walsh kickstarted his career, and why he chose Hazard, Nebraska for a hit.

Commercials

CommercialsFact or Fiction

Was "Ring Of Fire" really used to sell hemorrhoid cream?

John Doe of X

John Doe of XSongwriter Interviews

With his X-wife Exene, John fronts the band X and writes their songs.

Yoko Ono

Yoko OnoSongwriter Interviews

At 80 years old, Yoko has 10 #1 Dance hits. She discusses some of her songs and explains what inspired John Lennon's return to music in 1980.

Loreena McKennitt

Loreena McKennittSongwriter Interviews

The Celtic music maker Loreena McKennitt on finding musical inspiration, the "New Age" label, and working on the movie Tinker Bell.