A performance of Mr. Tambourine Man from The Byrds to honour Roy Orbison featured a surprise special guest.
Roger McGuinn, David Crosby, and Chris Hillman performed at the Roy Orbison Tribute concert, filmed in 1990. Orbison died at the age of 52 in 1988, shortly after the release of The Traveling Wilburys‘ debut album. His work with Jeff Lynne, George Harrison, Bob Dylan, and Tom Petty had prompted a revival of interest in Orbison’s material, with the highest-selling album in his discography, Mystery Girl, released a year after his death. But a year on from the release of Mystery Girl, and a portion of The Byrds would reunite to perform Mr. Tambourine Man. They were joined by Orbison’s supergroup bandmate, Dylan, who was hailed as the missing piece of the performance by listeners. A recording of the performance, uploaded to YouTube, received praise from fans.
One fan praised Dylan for taking a backseat on his own song, writing: “Bob, a class act, humble, lets McGuinn roll his scene, then blends in, that’s why he’s Bob, he’s super cool, the greatest of all time. David Crosby is in heaven watching Dylan & McGuinn harmonise, what a great moment in rock history. Love it.”
Another added: “Dylan comes on and struggles to find his way into the mix…. he doesn’t just stroll in as the master and take over… and then see how McGuinn changes mics, pulls Dylan in to the rotation, and then shifts so he’s doing the harmony and Dylan has the lead. What a performance. What a moment.”
A third wrote: “Seeing Dylan and McGuinn singing this together….two folk music/folk rock gods who still walk the earth. We’re lucky to be alive now.”
Others were full of praise for McGuinn, with one person suggesting his improvisation keeps the performance together. One person wrote: “Love the way Roger improvises here, covers things when others don’t sing, harmonises in such magical ways. I have never heard him harmonise so creatively as he does here. His entire heart is in this!”
Another added: “Roger McGuinn’s performance is magical.” A third wrote: “McGuinn with his twelve-string and those awesome vocal harmonies!! Made my poor old heart ache with pure joy!!”
Others couldn’t help but notice the fanfare when Dylan walked onto stage. One person wrote: “The crowd reaction when Dylan walks on the stage…bloody hell.” Another praised The Byrds for bringing Dylan in to cover Mr. Tambourine Man, writing: “Historical moment here. McGuinn goes ALL OUT and it’s just great, thanks!”
A third added: “To say this is great is an understatement. I’ve been lucky over the years to see the Byrds, Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young, and Bob Dylan in all of their forms. That I started growing up in the 50’s and really getting my music education in the 60’s is special. Damn, I’ve been lucky!”
You can watch The Byrds and Dylan perform Mr. Tambourine Man at the Orbison event below.
