Kirchen does Dylan
6-1-2025
Bill and band do Dylan’s songs from Newport 64 and 65 and more.
Bill Kirchen first gained renown as lead guitarist and vocalist for Commander Cody & his Lost Planet Airmen, where the resonant twang of his battered Telecaster drove "Hot Rod Lincoln" into the Top Ten in '72.
In 1964 and 1965, Bill Kirchen made two pilgrimages to the Newport Folk Festivals. Among many other wondrous things, he saw Dylan debut Mr. Tambourine Man in ’64, then go full on electric in ’65. Bill swears what he saw and heard at those Festivals ruined him for normal work.
Over the years, Kirchen’s shows would always sprinkle in a Dylan song or two, revealing Bill as one of the finest interpreters of mid-60’s electric Dylan and, not surprisingly leaving his fans wanting more. Now on a new tour with his very fine Texas band, Bill will pay homage to Bob and satisfy his fans.
A two part show, the first half is devoted to the best of Bill's Commander Cody and solo years, the second half all songs Bill saw Bob Dylan perform at Newport ’64 and ’65. All this with Bill’s ace Texas Band of Jack Saunders and Rick Richards (Joe Walsh, Ray Wylie Hubbard) with added Special Guest, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist Kevin Barry (Jackson Browne, Rosanne Cash, J. Geils Band, Mary Chapin Carpenter).
"A Titan of the Telecaster guitar " - Guitar Player magazine
"Bill Kirchen rules, it's just that simple." - the Austin-American Statesman
"A devastating culmination of the elegant and the funky, a really sensational musician with enormous depth." - Nick Lowe
"He is one of the singular instrumental stylists of American roots music, and to hear his sound once is to have it indelibly etched on one’s musical memory." - Pop Matters
Bill and band do Dylan’s songs from Newport 64 and 65 and more.
Bill Kirchen first gained renown as lead guitarist and vocalist for Commander Cody & his Lost Planet Airmen, where the resonant twang of his battered Telecaster drove "Hot Rod Lincoln" into the Top Ten in '72.
In 1964 and 1965, Bill Kirchen made two pilgrimages to the Newport Folk Festivals. Among many other wondrous things, he saw Dylan debut Mr. Tambourine Man in ’64, then go full on electric in ’65. Bill swears what he saw and heard at those Festivals ruined him for normal work.
Over the years, Kirchen’s shows would always sprinkle in a Dylan song or two, revealing Bill as one of the finest interpreters of mid-60’s electric Dylan and, not surprisingly leaving his fans wanting more. Now on a new tour with his very fine Texas band, Bill will pay homage to Bob and satisfy his fans.
A two part show, the first half is devoted to the best of Bill's Commander Cody and solo years, the second half all songs Bill saw Bob Dylan perform at Newport ’64 and ’65. All this with Bill’s ace Texas Band of Jack Saunders and Rick Richards (Joe Walsh, Ray Wylie Hubbard) with added Special Guest, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist Kevin Barry (Jackson Browne, Rosanne Cash, J. Geils Band, Mary Chapin Carpenter).
"A Titan of the Telecaster guitar " - Guitar Player magazine
"Bill Kirchen rules, it's just that simple." - the Austin-American Statesman
"A devastating culmination of the elegant and the funky, a really sensational musician with enormous depth." - Nick Lowe
"He is one of the singular instrumental stylists of American roots music, and to hear his sound once is to have it indelibly etched on one’s musical memory." - Pop Matters