It's official: Bob Dylan to perform in Israel on June 20
The booking follows lengthy negotiations between agents of the celebrated singer-songwriter and some of Israel's top international concert promoters.
By Lea PennBob Dylan will hold a single concert in Israel on June 20 at the Ramat Gan stadium, where Leonard Cohen and Elton John recently performed, it was confirmed yesterday.
The booking follows lengthy negotiations between agents of the celebrated singer-songwriter and some of Israel's top international concert promoters. Marcel Avraham, the promoter who organized the Leonard Cohen and Elton John concerts - as well as the upcoming Justin Beiber concert that will be held over Passover - competed for the job of promoting the Dylan concert with two other Israelis: Kobi Sidi and Shuki Weiss.
Weiss eventually withdrew from the race because of the high costs involved in organizing the concert. Ticket prices are yet to be released, but judging from past experience, they are expected to be high. Dylan, who turns 70 in May, will arrive in Israel as part of a world tour that begins in Asia two weeks earlier and will conclude in Denmark in late June. This will be his third performance here, following a concert in 1987 and another in 1993. He also visited Israel on his own in the 1960s.
Dylan is expected to perform songs from all five decades of his musical career.
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Bob Dylan played his first Israeli concert in almost twenty years on June 20, 2011. |
| Photo by: AP |
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In the 80s Bob Dylan joined the boycott of apartheid South Africa. Apparently, with time he has gone soft on apartheid and is therefore happy to play in Israel even as we expand our settlements and engage in ethnic oppression and ethnic cleansing. What a sad end to the career of one of the 20th century's most brilliant poet-musicians.
Dylan visited Israel in the early 1970's and was there in the early 1980's (1983?) for one of his kid's Bar Mitzvahs.
ROCKETS FROM GAZA,JEWISH FAMILY MUREDERD,BUS BOMBING IN JERUSALEM AND WE'RE SUPPOSED TO MAKE PEACE WITH THESE PEOPLE,AM YISROEL CHAI,GOD BLESS YOU BOB
The Israel boycott people slandered Leonard Cohen for playing in Israel.
I thought Bobby D turned to Christianity. Doesn't that exclude him from being accepted by Israel?
Israel accepts all races and religions - unlike Muslim countries, who consider all life (including that of their own citizens) to have little value. Coptic Christians were murdered by Muslims in Egypt, remember?
"Yes and how many years can some people exist before they are allowed to be free and how many times can a man turn his head and pretend that he just doesn't see; the answer my friend is blow'in in the wind, the answer is blow'in in the wind."
Bob, remember Operation Cast Lead, remember phosphorous shells, warcrimes, 1300 dead civillians, 300 of them children. Remember the piracy of IDF in Med. Remember those American boy shot dead from his chest and head from a close distance numerous times. Remember the opression on Palestine and Gaza. Remember the illegal siege on Gaza. Remember the illegal settlers stealing land. Remember the apartheid regime of Israel. And join the boycott.
O YAH BOB DYLAN IN ISRAEL!!!!!!!!!!! i am Sooooo there
Remember that Dylan has much higher IQ than you presume.
I call for all artists to boycott Hamasistan and where the PA is in power. These are murderous regimes. They espouse hatred of Jews. Nothing more needs to be said.
So you think it's a guarantee that he'll cancel.
As for the rest of your claims - you've been reading too many comic books.
....and the hysterical opinions about the israeli-palestinian conflict could actually constitute a badge of honour. Bob Dylan is larger than life, larger than the petty conflict. He is an unique artist, and a powerful individual. I´m sure that he would promote reconciliation and peace, but he also understands that it is a complicated situation. Now - time for music and great lyrics.
No, I aint gonna work for Maggie's pa no more Well, he puts his cigar Out in your face just for kicks His bedroom window It is made out of bricks The National Guard stands around his door Ah, I ain't gonna work for Maggie's pa no more.
And "Blowing in the Wind"...lol...I'm sure Dylan will sing them both.
Dylan loves Israel. just read his words from the song, "Neighbourhood Bully"
Since it's very seldom that he drops in...
You can love and admire Israel from a distance. you don't need to drop by on a daily basis....all you need are the historical facts about the country...to be an admirer and supporter of Israel does not require regular visits.
But don't be surprised either, if he makes a statement.
Better say: Don't expect a boycott by Dylan, BECAUSE of his humanitarian leaning
he sees beyond the cheap headlines. Would that you could.
I'll take one Dylan over a truckload full of silly Roger Waterses!
SWEEEEEET