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Where the Music Had to Go: How Bob Dylan and the Beatles Changed Each Other―and the World
FEATURING AN EXCLUSIVE NEW INTERVIEW WITH SIR PAUL McCARTNEY
Persuasive, captivating and bursting with insight, this dual biography by acclaimed journalist Jim Windolf dives into the surprisingly supportive, occasionally rivalrous, always fertile relationship between Bob Dylan and the Beatles.
Few artists have shaped pop culture as profoundly as the Beatles and Bob Dylan. In Where the Music Had to Go, Jim Windolf offers a new, persuasive interpretation of how two of the twentieth century's greatest recording artists influenced one another - and reveals how their apprenticeships, accomplishments and legacies are uncannily intertwined.
From Dylan's early dismissal of the Beatles as being for 'teenyboppers' to his rapid acknowledgment of their talent, the book captures the pivotal moments that pushed Dylan to 'go electric' and inspired the Beatles to deepen their lyrics. Packed with vivid anecdotes (the Beatles rehearsing Dylan songs; Dylan spending hours at Lennon's childhood home), the book paints a picture of a relationship full of camaraderie, rivalry and mutual evolution.
Windolf's meticulous research uncovers hidden gems, peeling back layers of history to reveal the stories fans didn't even know they were missing. From Lennon's and McCartney's lyrical transformations to George Harrison's growth as a songwriter, the book showcases the ripple effects of the Beatles-Dylan connection. More than a music biography, this is a front-row seat to the forces that shaped the sound of a generation.
Persuasive, captivating and bursting with insight, this dual biography by acclaimed journalist Jim Windolf dives into the surprisingly supportive, occasionally rivalrous, always fertile relationship between Bob Dylan and the Beatles.
Few artists have shaped pop culture as profoundly as the Beatles and Bob Dylan. In Where the Music Had to Go, Jim Windolf offers a new, persuasive interpretation of how two of the twentieth century's greatest recording artists influenced one another - and reveals how their apprenticeships, accomplishments and legacies are uncannily intertwined.
From Dylan's early dismissal of the Beatles as being for 'teenyboppers' to his rapid acknowledgment of their talent, the book captures the pivotal moments that pushed Dylan to 'go electric' and inspired the Beatles to deepen their lyrics. Packed with vivid anecdotes (the Beatles rehearsing Dylan songs; Dylan spending hours at Lennon's childhood home), the book paints a picture of a relationship full of camaraderie, rivalry and mutual evolution.
Windolf's meticulous research uncovers hidden gems, peeling back layers of history to reveal the stories fans didn't even know they were missing. From Lennon's and McCartney's lyrical transformations to George Harrison's growth as a songwriter, the book showcases the ripple effects of the Beatles-Dylan connection. More than a music biography, this is a front-row seat to the forces that shaped the sound of a generation.
400 pages, Hardcover
Published April 14, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
June 16, 2026
A Brilliant Dual Biography for Dylan Obsessives and Beatles Novices Alike
I’ll admit it: for the last three months, I’ve been completely down the Bob Dylan rabbit hole. Between listening to his music on repeat, catching him live, and reading every book I can find about him, I’ve been fully immersed in the mythology. It’s been a total blast.
The Beatles, on the other hand? I’ve never known nearly as much about them. Apparently, my Dylan immersion program accidentally turned into Beatles continuing education.
I spotted this book at the Lake Forest Bookstore—one of my favorite local independent shops—and decided to give it a shot. I’m very glad I did.
Jim Windolf, a New York Times journalist, has written an outstanding dual biography that beautifully captures how these musical giants pushed one another toward artistic greatness. The research is impressive, tracing the story from their legendary first meeting at the Delmonico Hotel in 1964 through decades of creative influence, admiration, and occasional collaboration.
I especially appreciated that the book doesn’t simply linger in the 1960s. It follows the Dylan–Beatles connection right up to the present day. As a Dylan fan, I loved the deep dive into his friendship with George Harrison. Learning the behind-the-scenes stories of how they co-wrote “I’d Have You Anytime,” and the fortunate accident that helped give rise to the Traveling Wilburys, was a particular highlight.
Whether you’re a diehard obsessive or simply curious about how these two artistic forces reshaped popular music, this book offers a fascinating front-row seat to musical history. I had a great time with it and came away knowing much more about both artists.
Highly recommended- Digital/audio. ( a hardcover with some good pictures that I will give as a FD gift. Shh!)
Read a bit more and dig a little deeper https://open.substack.com/pub/lposse1...
I’ll admit it: for the last three months, I’ve been completely down the Bob Dylan rabbit hole. Between listening to his music on repeat, catching him live, and reading every book I can find about him, I’ve been fully immersed in the mythology. It’s been a total blast.
The Beatles, on the other hand? I’ve never known nearly as much about them. Apparently, my Dylan immersion program accidentally turned into Beatles continuing education.
I spotted this book at the Lake Forest Bookstore—one of my favorite local independent shops—and decided to give it a shot. I’m very glad I did.
Jim Windolf, a New York Times journalist, has written an outstanding dual biography that beautifully captures how these musical giants pushed one another toward artistic greatness. The research is impressive, tracing the story from their legendary first meeting at the Delmonico Hotel in 1964 through decades of creative influence, admiration, and occasional collaboration.
I especially appreciated that the book doesn’t simply linger in the 1960s. It follows the Dylan–Beatles connection right up to the present day. As a Dylan fan, I loved the deep dive into his friendship with George Harrison. Learning the behind-the-scenes stories of how they co-wrote “I’d Have You Anytime,” and the fortunate accident that helped give rise to the Traveling Wilburys, was a particular highlight.
Whether you’re a diehard obsessive or simply curious about how these two artistic forces reshaped popular music, this book offers a fascinating front-row seat to musical history. I had a great time with it and came away knowing much more about both artists.
Highly recommended- Digital/audio. ( a hardcover with some good pictures that I will give as a FD gift. Shh!)
Read a bit more and dig a little deeper https://open.substack.com/pub/lposse1...
Want to Read
April 10, 2026WSJ review:
https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/book...
(Paywalled. As always, I'm happy to email a copy to non-subscribers)
Excerpt:
"Rock ’n’ roll, with its roots in black American music, offered something urgent and liberating: a sense of community and the intoxicating possibility that nothing was inevitable. “It made sense,” Mr. Windolf writes, that Mr. Dylan “and the four future Beatles would find solace, meaning, and joy in rock ’n’ roll, the emerging musical genre that laid a challenge to the status quo.”
If Mr. Dylan and the four Liverpudlians weren’t mutual admirers initially—early on Mr. McCartney called Dylan’s music “folk crap,” while Mr. Dylan said the Beatles were “bubblegum”—they changed their minds once they began listening to each other’s records in earnest, recognizing that they weren’t rivals but peers.
In 1964 Mr. McCartney played Mr. Dylan’s first two albums for his fellow Beatles; they fell for them on the spot and afterward listened to them repeatedly. “Right from that moment,” Harrison said, “we recognized some vital energy, a voice crying out somewhere, toiling in the darkness.”
For his part, Mr. Dylan told an interviewer that as he listened to the quartet’s early songs that same year, he realized that the Beatles “were doing things nobody was doing.” At a cafe in California, he put quarter after quarter into a jukebox so he could listen to “She Loves You” and “I Want to Hold Your Hand.”
https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/book...
(Paywalled. As always, I'm happy to email a copy to non-subscribers)
Excerpt:
"Rock ’n’ roll, with its roots in black American music, offered something urgent and liberating: a sense of community and the intoxicating possibility that nothing was inevitable. “It made sense,” Mr. Windolf writes, that Mr. Dylan “and the four future Beatles would find solace, meaning, and joy in rock ’n’ roll, the emerging musical genre that laid a challenge to the status quo.”
If Mr. Dylan and the four Liverpudlians weren’t mutual admirers initially—early on Mr. McCartney called Dylan’s music “folk crap,” while Mr. Dylan said the Beatles were “bubblegum”—they changed their minds once they began listening to each other’s records in earnest, recognizing that they weren’t rivals but peers.
In 1964 Mr. McCartney played Mr. Dylan’s first two albums for his fellow Beatles; they fell for them on the spot and afterward listened to them repeatedly. “Right from that moment,” Harrison said, “we recognized some vital energy, a voice crying out somewhere, toiling in the darkness.”
For his part, Mr. Dylan told an interviewer that as he listened to the quartet’s early songs that same year, he realized that the Beatles “were doing things nobody was doing.” At a cafe in California, he put quarter after quarter into a jukebox so he could listen to “She Loves You” and “I Want to Hold Your Hand.”
May 15, 2026
Engaging, highly readable and sometimes revelatory, even to longtime fans. The final few pages are especially poignant, thoughtful, insightful and yes, even poetic.
May 4, 2026
This is largely all information that I've read in other biographies or cultural histories rearranged in a new order. But it's the Beatles and Bob Dylan there's no new information at this point.
I thought the author was really reaching with a lot of the conclusions and others that I straight up didn't believe.
Were John Lennon and Bob Dylan friendly? Yes. Friends? Not really. And I'm sticking with it.
George is really the only one of the Beatles that took the time to get to know Bob which is evident in their many collaborations.
There was one line that made me laugh aloud: "...unlike the other Beatles Ringo didn't change that much."
I thought the author was really reaching with a lot of the conclusions and others that I straight up didn't believe.
Were John Lennon and Bob Dylan friendly? Yes. Friends? Not really. And I'm sticking with it.
George is really the only one of the Beatles that took the time to get to know Bob which is evident in their many collaborations.
There was one line that made me laugh aloud: "...unlike the other Beatles Ringo didn't change that much."
Read
May 19, 2026loved this!! would definitely recommend to beatles/dylan fans, loved seeing how their lives intertwined throughout the 60s and the impact they had on each other
May 18, 2026
When you read you sometimes you learn things you had no idea about.
May 10, 2026
It's about Dylan and the Beatles, what's not to like.
May 1, 2026
Not fucking kidding when I say this is the most important book ever written for me personally
April 11, 2026
“The significant rivalry was between the world’s greatest group and the world’s greatest songwriter. The tussle was not for chart positions or numbers of hits. It was for the intellectual or moral high ground.”
I can honestly say that I've not read a book quite like this before. I have been a lifelong Beatles and Dylan fan and knew that they gained popularity in the late 60s around the same time however, I had no idea their orbits overlapped their entire careers.
People in the music industry and listeners tend to want constant innovation, and they are not satisfied when an artist doesn't grow beyond their reach. That's what the Beatles and Dylan did for each other. Additionally, reading this book gave me a completely different insight to the Traveling Wilburys and how they started, and how it was more meaningful than just being a super group of really talented musicians.
This book was such a fun read given the material is well-researched and cited. So many times when you have a book with a lot of references, it's dry and hard to read, but not this book. I would definitely recommend this to any Beatles or Dylan fan or just a general fan of 60s and 70s music.
I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley.
I can honestly say that I've not read a book quite like this before. I have been a lifelong Beatles and Dylan fan and knew that they gained popularity in the late 60s around the same time however, I had no idea their orbits overlapped their entire careers.
People in the music industry and listeners tend to want constant innovation, and they are not satisfied when an artist doesn't grow beyond their reach. That's what the Beatles and Dylan did for each other. Additionally, reading this book gave me a completely different insight to the Traveling Wilburys and how they started, and how it was more meaningful than just being a super group of really talented musicians.
This book was such a fun read given the material is well-researched and cited. So many times when you have a book with a lot of references, it's dry and hard to read, but not this book. I would definitely recommend this to any Beatles or Dylan fan or just a general fan of 60s and 70s music.
I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley.
May 31, 2026
When you think of musical rivalries, what springs to mind? Usually it's artists-versus-artists (Prince vs. Michael Jackson) or bands-versus-bands (Blur vs. Oasis). But one of the most productive rivalries in pop-music history was between a singular artist and a recording group who pushed each other to new and greater artistic heights. And they did it while making some of the greatest music of all time.
"Where the Music Had to Go," by Jim Windolf, shows how the Beatles and Bob Dylan bounced off one another, primarily in the Sixties, to produce some of the most revolutionary sounds that the world has ever known. Much like last year's "John and Paul," this is not a book that goes deep into never-before-known facts; anyone with a familiarity with the histories of Dylan and the Fab Four will be let down if they go looking for that. But if you want a book that examines each as a response to one another, both feeding off of and inspiring one another, this is the book for you. And it's just damn fun to read.
Windolf avoids bogging down the story in too much of the lore surrounding each of the artists; early on, he also weaves together the strands of each artists' story to make sure that connections are shown. John, Paul, George, and Ringo are not quite sure what to make of the young folksinger Bob Dylan when they first hear him, but soon they fall under his spell as the world begins to be laid at their feet; similarly, Dylan goes from dismissing them as "music for teenagers" and realizes how liberating the Beatles' sound is (and how in line it is with his earlier love of rock and roll).
The two entities will end up doing a dance of mutual respect and rivalry as the Sixties unfolds around them; Dylan will push the Beatles, especially John Lennon, to dig deeper for lyrical meaning, while Dylan, increasingly hemmed in by the strictures of the folk scene, will see a way out by plugging in and using a band (The Band, as it turns out) to help him take his talents to rock music. And along the way, each will trade compliments and complaints, humorous putdowns and barbed insults, and eventually genuine warmth and mutual respect with each other.
Like I said, I'd be lying if I said this had anything to it that, in terms of each artists' story, isn't already known on some level. But that's not the draw of the book for me; I have spent a lot of time thinking about how the Beatles did have rivalries with groups, like the Stones or the Beach Boys, but I never considered that they might have a mutual admiration/fierce rivalry association with a solo artist like Dylan, and that Dylan would similarly see the Beatles both as an impetus to his own work and a force to be engaged with directly. Dylan and the Beatles made each other better, and "Where the Music Had to Go" charts this evolution wonderfully. It's a fun read about artists who brought out the best in one another, during a moment in time when the artificial boundaries separating high art and low art were beginning to fall.
"Where the Music Had to Go," by Jim Windolf, shows how the Beatles and Bob Dylan bounced off one another, primarily in the Sixties, to produce some of the most revolutionary sounds that the world has ever known. Much like last year's "John and Paul," this is not a book that goes deep into never-before-known facts; anyone with a familiarity with the histories of Dylan and the Fab Four will be let down if they go looking for that. But if you want a book that examines each as a response to one another, both feeding off of and inspiring one another, this is the book for you. And it's just damn fun to read.
Windolf avoids bogging down the story in too much of the lore surrounding each of the artists; early on, he also weaves together the strands of each artists' story to make sure that connections are shown. John, Paul, George, and Ringo are not quite sure what to make of the young folksinger Bob Dylan when they first hear him, but soon they fall under his spell as the world begins to be laid at their feet; similarly, Dylan goes from dismissing them as "music for teenagers" and realizes how liberating the Beatles' sound is (and how in line it is with his earlier love of rock and roll).
The two entities will end up doing a dance of mutual respect and rivalry as the Sixties unfolds around them; Dylan will push the Beatles, especially John Lennon, to dig deeper for lyrical meaning, while Dylan, increasingly hemmed in by the strictures of the folk scene, will see a way out by plugging in and using a band (The Band, as it turns out) to help him take his talents to rock music. And along the way, each will trade compliments and complaints, humorous putdowns and barbed insults, and eventually genuine warmth and mutual respect with each other.
Like I said, I'd be lying if I said this had anything to it that, in terms of each artists' story, isn't already known on some level. But that's not the draw of the book for me; I have spent a lot of time thinking about how the Beatles did have rivalries with groups, like the Stones or the Beach Boys, but I never considered that they might have a mutual admiration/fierce rivalry association with a solo artist like Dylan, and that Dylan would similarly see the Beatles both as an impetus to his own work and a force to be engaged with directly. Dylan and the Beatles made each other better, and "Where the Music Had to Go" charts this evolution wonderfully. It's a fun read about artists who brought out the best in one another, during a moment in time when the artificial boundaries separating high art and low art were beginning to fall.
May 4, 2026
I am trying to put this in the DNF group. Not terrible but I’m a Boomer myself and I’ve heard all these stories before. Oh, looks like it got here. Anyway, reading about all this stuff that happened so long ago is depressing.
May 20, 2026
Wow. I absolutely loved this book. I listened to the audio version. As a HUGE Beatles fan and a pretty big Dylan fan, I loved how in depth the author got with lyrics and albums for both. This book truly covered it all- personal and professional. 10/10.
May 4, 2026
Sublime journey into the heart of the best music ever made
Just a fabulous recounting of the creatively fueled relationship between the Beatles and Dylan as they formed each others music, knowingly and unknowingly. A great time capsule of a wonderful time in music.
Just a fabulous recounting of the creatively fueled relationship between the Beatles and Dylan as they formed each others music, knowingly and unknowingly. A great time capsule of a wonderful time in music.
June 18, 2026
Jim Windoff ‘Where the Music Had to Go’ – o rivalstvu i međusobnom nadahnuću Dylana i Beatlesa
Negdje tamo pred kraj knjige Jima Windoffa, novinara The New York Timesa, “Where the Music Had to Go” podnaslovljene “How Bob Dylan and The Beatles Changed Each Other – and the World”, nailazimo na citat Raya Foulka, organizatora festivala Isle of Wight, koji kaže, u mom slobodnom prijevodu, otprilike ovako: “Priča se o rivalstvu šezdesetih između Beatlesa i Rolling Stonesa, ali to promašuje poantu. Značajno rivalstvo bilo je između najveće svjetske grupe i najboljeg kantautora na svijetu. Borba nije bila za pozicije na ljestvicama ili broj hitova. Bila je za intelektualnu i moralnu nadmoć.“
Windoffova knjiga nam temeljito obrazlaže i opisuje ono što i otprije znamo. Iako je zgodno zamišljati odnos Boba Dylana i Beatlesa kao rivalstvo kakvo spominje Foulk, riječ je zapravo o mnogo kompleksnijem međudjelovanju koje je s obje strane uključivalo i visoku razinu poštovanja, nemalo čiste zavisti i međusobni utjecaj koji je od autore pop rock hitova natjerao da počnu pisati ozbiljnije tekstove, a nekadašnjeg folk idola da izađe iz tvrdih okvira tradicije i usmjeri svoj zvuk prema nečemu univerzalnijem. To međudjelovanje dovelo ih je do nekog trećeg terena, odnosno, kako kaže naslov knjige, “tamo gdje je glazba morala doći.”
Premda u početku nisu pozitivno reagirali na pjesme iz drugog tabora, njihovi izvorni uzori bili su isti, u rock and rollu Little Richarda i sličnih izvođača. A kad su pali pod međusobni utjecaj, stvari isprva nisu išle glatko. John Lennon je prvi počeo pisati “dilanovske” pjesme s “Hide Your Love Away”, a kad je Bob zaključio da su s “Nowegian Wood” s albuma “Rubber Soul” otišli predaleko na njegov teren, rivalstvo je doseglo jedan od vrhunaca nakon što je on na istu melodiju za album “Blonde on Blonde” napisao “Fourth Time Around” koja je završavala s izravnom porukom Beatlesima: ” I never asked for your crutch, now don’t ask for mine.”
Na vrhuncu ovog neslaganja snimljena je u Londonu u svibnju 1966. zloglasna scena koja će se u fragmentu pojaviti u dokumentarcu D.A. Pennebakera “Eat te Document” u kojoj na zadnjem sjedištu automobila Dylan pokušava suočiti Lennona s optužbama za kopiranja njegova stila, ali Amerikanac je očito bio po utjecajem sumnjivih sredstava i nije uspio povesti konkretan razgovor o temi prije nego mu je pozlilo. Ali napetost je bila velika i opipljiva je u postojećem videomaterijalu.
No mnogo je zapravo bitniji onaj pozitivni aspekt njihovog međusobnog utjecaja, pjesme koje zvukom i tematikom nastaju u dijalogu između Dylana i Lennona (ali i Paula McCartneyja, o čemu svjedoći vrlo duhovit i zabavan intervju sa Sir Paulom koji zatvara knjigu), ili pak prijateljstvo Boba s Georgeom Harrisonom u kojemu je “tihi Beatle” pod krilom starijeg kantautora isprva pronašao vlastiti autorski glas koji će ga dovesti do njegovog trostrukog klasika “All Things Must Pass”, da bi kasnije vratio uslugu pozvijajući Dylana koji je tijekom osamdesetih zapao u ozbiljnu kreativnu krizu u svoju supergrupu Travelling Willburys s Jeffom Lynneom, Royom Orbisonom i Tomom Pettyjem, a što će pak Bobu ponovno otvoriti put do pronalaženja svoje muze na albumu “Oh Mercy” i preobrazbu iz ocvalog rokera čije vrijeme je prošlo u starješinu scene koja će i desetljećima kasnije biti cijenjena kao najdugovječniji uzor i prvi glas iz svijeta glazbe nagrađen Nobelovom nagradom za književnost.
Windoff nema lagan zadatak pisanja paralelne biografije dviju najvećih sila popularne glazbe u dvadesetom stoljeću prvenstveno zato što su njihove karijere, pogotovu šezdesetima u kojima se odvija velika većina radnje u njegovoj knjizi, toliko pomno praćene i poznate da se o njima ima malo što novog otkriti i reći. Upravo ta hiperdokumentiranost bila je ključna kad je u jeku #MeToo pokreta jedna žena lažno optužila Dylana za seksualno zlostavljanje. Bilo je dovoljno baciti oko na kalendar i reći: “Dylan tada nije bio u New Yorku nego u Londonu, evo snimke.” Isto bi vrijedilo i za Beatlese, njihov itinerar u tom razdoblju još je dokumentiraniji od Bobovog.
Ipak, postavljajući sve poznate točke njihove karijere u usporedni pogled, zanimljivo je gledati njihova poklapanja, a Windoff svaku od njih prikazuje u nekakvoj vezi sa suprotnim taborom a da to pritom tek rijetko zvuči suviše nategnuto i izmišljeno. Mnogo češće u njegovom tumačenju pronalazimo uvjerljive dokaze za to da su Dylan i Lennon živjeli jedan drugom u glavi i dugo nakon što su se Beatlesi raspali.
Ipak, autor uspijeva pronaći neke podatke koji će iznenaditi mnoge čitatelje. Jedan od takvih mogao bi primjerice biti onaj da je Dylan nakon atentata na Lennona bio u tolikom strahu za vlastiti život da je periodu ranih osamdesetih na koncertima nije hodao iz backstagea na pozornicu, već bi taj put prevalio ni manje ni više nego motociklom.
Naravno, ima još mnogo takvih i sličnih detalja u ovoj knjizi koji je čine dovoljno zanimljivom i fanovima koji misle da već sve znaju o Fab Fouru i Robertu Zimmermanu, a oni koji o njima tek uče naći će se pred vrijednom riznicom podataka punom zgodnih uvida vrlo dobro pripremljenog autora. Budući da je ovo već četvrta knjiga o Dylanu na koju se ove godine osvrćemo, a treća kojoj je težište upravo na njegovoj karijeri u šezdesetima, dovoljna bi preporuka treabla biti to da Windoff uspijeva pronaći još mnogo stvari o kojima u posljednje vrijeme nismo čitali.
(White Rabbit, tvrdi uvez, 375 stranica, 2026.)
Negdje tamo pred kraj knjige Jima Windoffa, novinara The New York Timesa, “Where the Music Had to Go” podnaslovljene “How Bob Dylan and The Beatles Changed Each Other – and the World”, nailazimo na citat Raya Foulka, organizatora festivala Isle of Wight, koji kaže, u mom slobodnom prijevodu, otprilike ovako: “Priča se o rivalstvu šezdesetih između Beatlesa i Rolling Stonesa, ali to promašuje poantu. Značajno rivalstvo bilo je između najveće svjetske grupe i najboljeg kantautora na svijetu. Borba nije bila za pozicije na ljestvicama ili broj hitova. Bila je za intelektualnu i moralnu nadmoć.“
Windoffova knjiga nam temeljito obrazlaže i opisuje ono što i otprije znamo. Iako je zgodno zamišljati odnos Boba Dylana i Beatlesa kao rivalstvo kakvo spominje Foulk, riječ je zapravo o mnogo kompleksnijem međudjelovanju koje je s obje strane uključivalo i visoku razinu poštovanja, nemalo čiste zavisti i međusobni utjecaj koji je od autore pop rock hitova natjerao da počnu pisati ozbiljnije tekstove, a nekadašnjeg folk idola da izađe iz tvrdih okvira tradicije i usmjeri svoj zvuk prema nečemu univerzalnijem. To međudjelovanje dovelo ih je do nekog trećeg terena, odnosno, kako kaže naslov knjige, “tamo gdje je glazba morala doći.”
Premda u početku nisu pozitivno reagirali na pjesme iz drugog tabora, njihovi izvorni uzori bili su isti, u rock and rollu Little Richarda i sličnih izvođača. A kad su pali pod međusobni utjecaj, stvari isprva nisu išle glatko. John Lennon je prvi počeo pisati “dilanovske” pjesme s “Hide Your Love Away”, a kad je Bob zaključio da su s “Nowegian Wood” s albuma “Rubber Soul” otišli predaleko na njegov teren, rivalstvo je doseglo jedan od vrhunaca nakon što je on na istu melodiju za album “Blonde on Blonde” napisao “Fourth Time Around” koja je završavala s izravnom porukom Beatlesima: ” I never asked for your crutch, now don’t ask for mine.”
Na vrhuncu ovog neslaganja snimljena je u Londonu u svibnju 1966. zloglasna scena koja će se u fragmentu pojaviti u dokumentarcu D.A. Pennebakera “Eat te Document” u kojoj na zadnjem sjedištu automobila Dylan pokušava suočiti Lennona s optužbama za kopiranja njegova stila, ali Amerikanac je očito bio po utjecajem sumnjivih sredstava i nije uspio povesti konkretan razgovor o temi prije nego mu je pozlilo. Ali napetost je bila velika i opipljiva je u postojećem videomaterijalu.
No mnogo je zapravo bitniji onaj pozitivni aspekt njihovog međusobnog utjecaja, pjesme koje zvukom i tematikom nastaju u dijalogu između Dylana i Lennona (ali i Paula McCartneyja, o čemu svjedoći vrlo duhovit i zabavan intervju sa Sir Paulom koji zatvara knjigu), ili pak prijateljstvo Boba s Georgeom Harrisonom u kojemu je “tihi Beatle” pod krilom starijeg kantautora isprva pronašao vlastiti autorski glas koji će ga dovesti do njegovog trostrukog klasika “All Things Must Pass”, da bi kasnije vratio uslugu pozvijajući Dylana koji je tijekom osamdesetih zapao u ozbiljnu kreativnu krizu u svoju supergrupu Travelling Willburys s Jeffom Lynneom, Royom Orbisonom i Tomom Pettyjem, a što će pak Bobu ponovno otvoriti put do pronalaženja svoje muze na albumu “Oh Mercy” i preobrazbu iz ocvalog rokera čije vrijeme je prošlo u starješinu scene koja će i desetljećima kasnije biti cijenjena kao najdugovječniji uzor i prvi glas iz svijeta glazbe nagrađen Nobelovom nagradom za književnost.
Windoff nema lagan zadatak pisanja paralelne biografije dviju najvećih sila popularne glazbe u dvadesetom stoljeću prvenstveno zato što su njihove karijere, pogotovu šezdesetima u kojima se odvija velika većina radnje u njegovoj knjizi, toliko pomno praćene i poznate da se o njima ima malo što novog otkriti i reći. Upravo ta hiperdokumentiranost bila je ključna kad je u jeku #MeToo pokreta jedna žena lažno optužila Dylana za seksualno zlostavljanje. Bilo je dovoljno baciti oko na kalendar i reći: “Dylan tada nije bio u New Yorku nego u Londonu, evo snimke.” Isto bi vrijedilo i za Beatlese, njihov itinerar u tom razdoblju još je dokumentiraniji od Bobovog.
Ipak, postavljajući sve poznate točke njihove karijere u usporedni pogled, zanimljivo je gledati njihova poklapanja, a Windoff svaku od njih prikazuje u nekakvoj vezi sa suprotnim taborom a da to pritom tek rijetko zvuči suviše nategnuto i izmišljeno. Mnogo češće u njegovom tumačenju pronalazimo uvjerljive dokaze za to da su Dylan i Lennon živjeli jedan drugom u glavi i dugo nakon što su se Beatlesi raspali.
Ipak, autor uspijeva pronaći neke podatke koji će iznenaditi mnoge čitatelje. Jedan od takvih mogao bi primjerice biti onaj da je Dylan nakon atentata na Lennona bio u tolikom strahu za vlastiti život da je periodu ranih osamdesetih na koncertima nije hodao iz backstagea na pozornicu, već bi taj put prevalio ni manje ni više nego motociklom.
Naravno, ima još mnogo takvih i sličnih detalja u ovoj knjizi koji je čine dovoljno zanimljivom i fanovima koji misle da već sve znaju o Fab Fouru i Robertu Zimmermanu, a oni koji o njima tek uče naći će se pred vrijednom riznicom podataka punom zgodnih uvida vrlo dobro pripremljenog autora. Budući da je ovo već četvrta knjiga o Dylanu na koju se ove godine osvrćemo, a treća kojoj je težište upravo na njegovoj karijeri u šezdesetima, dovoljna bi preporuka treabla biti to da Windoff uspijeva pronaći još mnogo stvari o kojima u posljednje vrijeme nismo čitali.
(White Rabbit, tvrdi uvez, 375 stranica, 2026.)
February 19, 2026
4.5 stars. I have read a lot of Beatles biographies over the years and very few any more add new information to my knowledge of the band, but this one did. It looks at the relationship, influence and competition between the Beatles and Bob Dylan. It included great instances of influence and fun anecdotes. I really enjoyed this one. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Howeverthanks to NetGalley and Scribner for an advance copy of this dual biography and examination of the relationship between a band, and an American singer, a relationship that strangely parallels each other, with shared experiences, shared problems, and in their creation of music that changed so much, and entertained so many more.
I was never into sports, something that will probably not change. However I understood rivalry, but I really never thought that occured in the arts. I am not sure why. As a portly child with a lot of well social issues I was jealous quite a bit, and still am. However, until I got older, and began to really pay attention to music, and well all the arts, I never realized how green with envy so many people were of each other. Not just rival musicians, but people in their own band. Partners even. I just thought that one would be happy that someone had a good song, a good book, a good movie or painting. I never knew that people hated those who painted masterpieces., that make what they did look so easy. Or showed how much another influenced them. I never thought much of the ties that bound the Beatles and Bob Dylan. I knew they met, I knew on member was in a band with Bob, but the rivalry, the sniping between the two I had no idea. Nor the mutual admiration they had, and shared experiences. I always find it amazing that more things can be shared about music that is older than I am. And yet I learned much from the extraordinary book. Where the Music Had to Go: How Bob Dylan and the Beatles Changed Each Other—and the World by music critic and historian Jim Windolf is the tale of a band, a man, their meeting, their influence on each other, the praise left unsaid, and the legacy their music has cast over everything we hear, even how we hear it.
The book begins with a young man growing up in a town that had seen better, with a love for music, a talent for entertaining, and dreams of getting out, getting away and making something of himself. Or themselves. For this could fit Robert Zimmerman, John Lennon Paul McCartney, who the book focuses on, along with Ringo Starr and George Harrison. The book looks at wha made this people who they were, looking at their youth, trials and tribulations. And the music that influenced them. All loved American rock and roll, from black influences, to blues jazz and even country. The book looks at their slow rise, from coffee houses, Cavarns and Hamburg night clubs, to influential managers who might not have had their best interests at heart. Problems with monogamy, difficulties with drugs, especially heroin, and public controversies. The book looks at how the musicians first heard each other, maybe not sure of what made the music good, until it hit, sometimes by chance for Dylan a ride through Colorado where it was Beatlemania on every radio channel. Also the author looks at the their meetings, both with others, on film, some of them wonderful. Some of them ugly in nature. And how the events changed them in many ways, including the deaths of two of the Beatles.
A really well done book that looks not only at the music but the lives of all these musicians. What struck me was how much they all had in common. Except Ringo, Ringo seems to have let thing go by. Lennon and Dylan seemed to have a difficult relationship, with Lennon jealous of Dylan's skill at song writing, this jealousy letting some nasty asides through, including a few songs that probably shouldn't have been. Windolf is a very good writer, discussing things that were new to me, looking at songs in different ways, and coming up with comparisons that really made me reappraise my thoughts on both groups.
The book covers mostly the 1960's of course, though the lost 70's are looked at also. The focus is mainly on Bob, John and Paul, which makes sense as they were the primary song writers, though George gets a chance to shine later on. This is a really wonderful book, one that I quite enjoyed and had a hard time putting down. One would think there was no real way to write about these acts so many years later, but Windolf does a really great job. Fun of fans, and for those interested in musical history, and musical creativity.
I was never into sports, something that will probably not change. However I understood rivalry, but I really never thought that occured in the arts. I am not sure why. As a portly child with a lot of well social issues I was jealous quite a bit, and still am. However, until I got older, and began to really pay attention to music, and well all the arts, I never realized how green with envy so many people were of each other. Not just rival musicians, but people in their own band. Partners even. I just thought that one would be happy that someone had a good song, a good book, a good movie or painting. I never knew that people hated those who painted masterpieces., that make what they did look so easy. Or showed how much another influenced them. I never thought much of the ties that bound the Beatles and Bob Dylan. I knew they met, I knew on member was in a band with Bob, but the rivalry, the sniping between the two I had no idea. Nor the mutual admiration they had, and shared experiences. I always find it amazing that more things can be shared about music that is older than I am. And yet I learned much from the extraordinary book. Where the Music Had to Go: How Bob Dylan and the Beatles Changed Each Other—and the World by music critic and historian Jim Windolf is the tale of a band, a man, their meeting, their influence on each other, the praise left unsaid, and the legacy their music has cast over everything we hear, even how we hear it.
The book begins with a young man growing up in a town that had seen better, with a love for music, a talent for entertaining, and dreams of getting out, getting away and making something of himself. Or themselves. For this could fit Robert Zimmerman, John Lennon Paul McCartney, who the book focuses on, along with Ringo Starr and George Harrison. The book looks at wha made this people who they were, looking at their youth, trials and tribulations. And the music that influenced them. All loved American rock and roll, from black influences, to blues jazz and even country. The book looks at their slow rise, from coffee houses, Cavarns and Hamburg night clubs, to influential managers who might not have had their best interests at heart. Problems with monogamy, difficulties with drugs, especially heroin, and public controversies. The book looks at how the musicians first heard each other, maybe not sure of what made the music good, until it hit, sometimes by chance for Dylan a ride through Colorado where it was Beatlemania on every radio channel. Also the author looks at the their meetings, both with others, on film, some of them wonderful. Some of them ugly in nature. And how the events changed them in many ways, including the deaths of two of the Beatles.
A really well done book that looks not only at the music but the lives of all these musicians. What struck me was how much they all had in common. Except Ringo, Ringo seems to have let thing go by. Lennon and Dylan seemed to have a difficult relationship, with Lennon jealous of Dylan's skill at song writing, this jealousy letting some nasty asides through, including a few songs that probably shouldn't have been. Windolf is a very good writer, discussing things that were new to me, looking at songs in different ways, and coming up with comparisons that really made me reappraise my thoughts on both groups.
The book covers mostly the 1960's of course, though the lost 70's are looked at also. The focus is mainly on Bob, John and Paul, which makes sense as they were the primary song writers, though George gets a chance to shine later on. This is a really wonderful book, one that I quite enjoyed and had a hard time putting down. One would think there was no real way to write about these acts so many years later, but Windolf does a really great job. Fun of fans, and for those interested in musical history, and musical creativity.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I grew up in the 60s and 70s, so I think I know a fair amount about the Beatles - or at least as much as I could gather from: the teen mags and television coverage I eagerly devoured during those years. I know less about Bob Dylan, probably because by the time I started to get into civil rights and social issues, Dylan’s output had slowed down and I was familiar with his work primarily from other folk musicians who covered his work (plus, as a classical singer, I didn’t really appreciate Dylan’s voice. How naive I was). Because of this, I was completely unaware of the ways the Beatles’ and Dylan’s lives intersected. And, as Jim Windolf meticulously explains, their creative work greatly influenced each other and music history in general.
The book is divided into two sections (cleverly, Side 1 and Side 2). Side 1 chronicles their early lives and careers, when they had little interaction with each other but admired each others’ work. I’ll admit that Side 1 dragged a bit for me…was the rest of the book just going to be about them admiring each other from a distance? But Side 2 completely pulled me in. Windolf uses a steady stream of quotes from articles (cited in detail in the appendix) to share intimate stories about each artist’s life and work, in addition to their surprising relationships with each other. Among other revelations, I was enchanted by the sweet interaction between Dylan and George Harrison, which resulted in an acoustic cover of “Yesterday” with Dylan’s vocals and Harrison; on guitar (look it up - it’s wonderful). At the end, Windolf shares an exclusive interview with Paul McCartney.
I’ll admit I don’t know how many other writers have tackled this subject - my brief search turned up a couple of books that seemed to be completely different than this one.. So I can’t say this is the only book about the Beatles’ relationship with Dylan, or even the definitive one. But I am prepared to say that it should be regarded as an important contribution to the oeuvre of pop music history. Many thanks to Scribner and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this advance reader’s copy. All opinions are my own.
The book is divided into two sections (cleverly, Side 1 and Side 2). Side 1 chronicles their early lives and careers, when they had little interaction with each other but admired each others’ work. I’ll admit that Side 1 dragged a bit for me…was the rest of the book just going to be about them admiring each other from a distance? But Side 2 completely pulled me in. Windolf uses a steady stream of quotes from articles (cited in detail in the appendix) to share intimate stories about each artist’s life and work, in addition to their surprising relationships with each other. Among other revelations, I was enchanted by the sweet interaction between Dylan and George Harrison, which resulted in an acoustic cover of “Yesterday” with Dylan’s vocals and Harrison; on guitar (look it up - it’s wonderful). At the end, Windolf shares an exclusive interview with Paul McCartney.
I’ll admit I don’t know how many other writers have tackled this subject - my brief search turned up a couple of books that seemed to be completely different than this one.. So I can’t say this is the only book about the Beatles’ relationship with Dylan, or even the definitive one. But I am prepared to say that it should be regarded as an important contribution to the oeuvre of pop music history. Many thanks to Scribner and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this advance reader’s copy. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5 Stars
I'm a die-hard Beatles fan of several decades and have read scores of books about The Beatles. I have a keen eye when deciding to read a new book about them since it's such a well-trodden subject. Is it just going to be a dry regurgitation of what was written in other books, or will it be something special and unique to add to the lexicon? I initially glossed over this one because of the Dylan aspect (I'm not much of a Dylan music fan, but he intrigues me as a person), not realizing just how much the crux of this book- of how Dylan and The Beatles influenced each other...was a major thing. I learned so much about their introduction and interactions with each other throughout the years, and it was exhilarating to glean new kernels of information. For instance, I always saw Dylan working with George Harrison on projects such as when he contributed to The Concert for Bangladesh at Madison Square Garden in 1971, and as a fellow band member of the Traveling Wilburys group (consisting of George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Roy Orbison, and Tom Petty). I didn't realize that Dylan initially connected more with John Lennon and also just how much he admired the mega talent of Paul McCartney. Also, there is a new interview included at the end of the book with Paul McCartney all about The Beatles' relationship with Bob Dylan. The author did a great job tracking each band's history in tandem from the early sixties to the present, defining their musical influences towards each other. It spurned such an interest in me that I look forward to reading Dylan's memoir Chronicles, Volume One and sampling some of his songs mentioned in this book. I do own one CD that I love from Bob Dylan called "Oh Mercy" from 1989 that has a gorgeous song on it called "Most of the Time", but I'm sure there's so much more to discover and enjoy.
Thank you to the publisher Scribner who provided an advance reader copy via NetGalley.
I'm a die-hard Beatles fan of several decades and have read scores of books about The Beatles. I have a keen eye when deciding to read a new book about them since it's such a well-trodden subject. Is it just going to be a dry regurgitation of what was written in other books, or will it be something special and unique to add to the lexicon? I initially glossed over this one because of the Dylan aspect (I'm not much of a Dylan music fan, but he intrigues me as a person), not realizing just how much the crux of this book- of how Dylan and The Beatles influenced each other...was a major thing. I learned so much about their introduction and interactions with each other throughout the years, and it was exhilarating to glean new kernels of information. For instance, I always saw Dylan working with George Harrison on projects such as when he contributed to The Concert for Bangladesh at Madison Square Garden in 1971, and as a fellow band member of the Traveling Wilburys group (consisting of George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Roy Orbison, and Tom Petty). I didn't realize that Dylan initially connected more with John Lennon and also just how much he admired the mega talent of Paul McCartney. Also, there is a new interview included at the end of the book with Paul McCartney all about The Beatles' relationship with Bob Dylan. The author did a great job tracking each band's history in tandem from the early sixties to the present, defining their musical influences towards each other. It spurned such an interest in me that I look forward to reading Dylan's memoir Chronicles, Volume One and sampling some of his songs mentioned in this book. I do own one CD that I love from Bob Dylan called "Oh Mercy" from 1989 that has a gorgeous song on it called "Most of the Time", but I'm sure there's so much more to discover and enjoy.
Thank you to the publisher Scribner who provided an advance reader copy via NetGalley.
June 8, 2026
“Where the Music Had to Go: How Bob Dylan and the Beatles Changed Each Other and the World by Jim Windolf is an insightful and richly detailed dual biography that examines the creative interplay between two of the most influential forces in modern music: Bob Dylan and The Beatles.
Rather than treating these artists as separate cultural phenomena, Windolf builds his narrative around the evolving relationship between them one marked by admiration, rivalry, and mutual transformation. The book argues that their artistic trajectories were deeply intertwined, each pushing the other toward new forms of expression that ultimately reshaped popular music.
A key strength of the biography is its focus on pivotal moments of exchange and influence. From early dismissals and reassessments to shared musical experiments and lyrical evolution, Windolf reconstructs the subtle and often overlooked ways these two creative worlds intersected. Anecdotal material such as rehearsals of each other’s songs and personal encounters adds texture and immediacy to the historical narrative.
The book also highlights how this relationship influenced broader shifts in 1960s music culture. Dylan’s move toward electric instrumentation and the Beatles’ growing lyrical sophistication are presented not as isolated developments, but as part of a continuous creative dialogue that helped define the sound of a generation.
Windolf’s research-driven approach brings forward lesser-known details while maintaining a strong narrative flow, making the book accessible to general readers as well as dedicated music historians. The result is a biography that feels both scholarly and engaging.
Overall, Where the Music Had to Go is a compelling exploration of artistic influence and cultural transformation. It will appeal to readers of music history, cultural biography, and 1960s popular culture, offering a fresh perspective on how two legendary acts helped shape each other—and the modern musical landscape.”
Rather than treating these artists as separate cultural phenomena, Windolf builds his narrative around the evolving relationship between them one marked by admiration, rivalry, and mutual transformation. The book argues that their artistic trajectories were deeply intertwined, each pushing the other toward new forms of expression that ultimately reshaped popular music.
A key strength of the biography is its focus on pivotal moments of exchange and influence. From early dismissals and reassessments to shared musical experiments and lyrical evolution, Windolf reconstructs the subtle and often overlooked ways these two creative worlds intersected. Anecdotal material such as rehearsals of each other’s songs and personal encounters adds texture and immediacy to the historical narrative.
The book also highlights how this relationship influenced broader shifts in 1960s music culture. Dylan’s move toward electric instrumentation and the Beatles’ growing lyrical sophistication are presented not as isolated developments, but as part of a continuous creative dialogue that helped define the sound of a generation.
Windolf’s research-driven approach brings forward lesser-known details while maintaining a strong narrative flow, making the book accessible to general readers as well as dedicated music historians. The result is a biography that feels both scholarly and engaging.
Overall, Where the Music Had to Go is a compelling exploration of artistic influence and cultural transformation. It will appeal to readers of music history, cultural biography, and 1960s popular culture, offering a fresh perspective on how two legendary acts helped shape each other—and the modern musical landscape.”
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Beatles changed the landscape of popular music. At the same time, so did Bob Dylan. In this book, the author presents the timeline of both of these iconic music acts at the same time, giving readers a better understanding of how music was shifting and shaping up to be the legend that it is.
I've read so many Beatles books that I thought I had read it all. However, this book is different in that it shows what The Beatles were doing at the same time as Bob Dylan. While on the surface that may not seem important, if you dig in the details, music fans can see that they were always listening to each other and always playing off of each other, much like the more famous story of The Beatles creating Sgt. Pepper after hearing Pet Sounds. While fans may already know these timelines, seeing things such as The Beatles first North American trip paired with Bob Dylan's Kerouac-esque trip around the country happening at the same time is fascinating. This is a must read for any Beatles or Dylan fan.
*Book provided by NetGalley
I've read so many Beatles books that I thought I had read it all. However, this book is different in that it shows what The Beatles were doing at the same time as Bob Dylan. While on the surface that may not seem important, if you dig in the details, music fans can see that they were always listening to each other and always playing off of each other, much like the more famous story of The Beatles creating Sgt. Pepper after hearing Pet Sounds. While fans may already know these timelines, seeing things such as The Beatles first North American trip paired with Bob Dylan's Kerouac-esque trip around the country happening at the same time is fascinating. This is a must read for any Beatles or Dylan fan.
*Book provided by NetGalley
April 22, 2026
Where the Music Had to Go presents a tightly argued, research-driven account of the creative interplay between Bob Dylan and the Beatles, positioning their relationship as a reciprocal engine of artistic evolution rather than a one-way influence narrative.
Jim Windolf’s strength lies in synthesis: he connects biographical detail, studio history, and cultural turning points into a coherent interpretive frame that shows how both Dylan and the Beatles continuously recalibrated each other’s musical direction. The inclusion of newly surfaced material, including an exclusive interview with Paul McCartney, adds both authority and freshness to a well-trodden subject.
What makes the book stand out is its emphasis on exchange rather than hierarchy, framing influence as dialogue. That shift gives the work strong potential beyond music biography audiences, particularly in cultural history, media studies, and modern intellectual history discussions.
Jim Windolf’s strength lies in synthesis: he connects biographical detail, studio history, and cultural turning points into a coherent interpretive frame that shows how both Dylan and the Beatles continuously recalibrated each other’s musical direction. The inclusion of newly surfaced material, including an exclusive interview with Paul McCartney, adds both authority and freshness to a well-trodden subject.
What makes the book stand out is its emphasis on exchange rather than hierarchy, framing influence as dialogue. That shift gives the work strong potential beyond music biography audiences, particularly in cultural history, media studies, and modern intellectual history discussions.
June 18, 2026
John, Paul, George, Ringo & Bob. Finally some background into that weird clip from "Eat the Document" where an obviously high Bob (smack?, LSD? too many filterless ciggies?) is pestering a rather nonplussed John in the back of a limo "what did you mean that time when you said 'a northern song', man? W-what did you mean, then Robbie told me what it was, man.'" Bobby had wrote an answer song to all the times he thought John Lennon clipped his stylee so "Fourth Time Around" is basically mocking "Norwegian Wood" Bob and the Beatles had a listening party for their Blonde On Blonde and Revolver. John muttered something about 4th time should be a Beatles published song on their Northern Songs publishing. Bob, chip on his shoulder said "Tomorrow Never Knows" oh I get it you ain't gonna be cute anymore. Boom!
This was indeed a 'good read' for a subject(s) that's been raked to death.
This was indeed a 'good read' for a subject(s) that's been raked to death.
April 23, 2026
Where the Music Had to Go is a very thorough look at the relationships of the Beatles and Bob Dylan. I knew a bit about the lives of the Beatles, but I knew nothing about Bob Dylan prior to reading this book. It was very interesting to see how their lives intertwined and how they inspired each other when writing music. I learned a lot about John, Paul, George, Ringo and Bob. At some points, it was a little overwhelming trying to keep up with all the other people in the story (producers, friends, etc.). I enjoyed how the book was broken up into sections- Side One and Side Two.
Thank you Scribner and NetGalley for providing this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Thank you Scribner and NetGalley for providing this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
June 16, 2026
An interesting idea that doesn’t really go anywhere. Windolf’s aim is to put the monumental cultural impact of The Beatles and Bob Dylan into the context of what they meant to each other and how they interacted during the ‘60s.
The problem is, these titans’ paths only crossed on so many occasions while The Beatles were still together, and the times they did (e.g., Dylan introducing The Beatles to pot in New York, John Lennon sharing a London limo ride with a very intoxicated Dylan) have been more than adequately documented over the years. So what we’re left with is basically a chronology of what both were doing at any given time.
It’s entertaining reading if you’re new to either act, but fans are unlikely to learn anything new.
The problem is, these titans’ paths only crossed on so many occasions while The Beatles were still together, and the times they did (e.g., Dylan introducing The Beatles to pot in New York, John Lennon sharing a London limo ride with a very intoxicated Dylan) have been more than adequately documented over the years. So what we’re left with is basically a chronology of what both were doing at any given time.
It’s entertaining reading if you’re new to either act, but fans are unlikely to learn anything new.
May 7, 2026
The title is more apt than I had imagined
I am a Dylan and a Beatles fan and have read a fair amount about both. And yet I had not made the connection about their influences on each other. The book was compelling for me, but as I say, I am a fan with much love of the music, particularly during the 60s.
Because there is so much written about Dylan, the Beatles, and the rising music culture I experienced, I sometimes think I learn more about myself when reading a book like this. And it is something to be able to say I will have some fresh perspectives on the music I have listened to hundreds if not thousands of time
I am a Dylan and a Beatles fan and have read a fair amount about both. And yet I had not made the connection about their influences on each other. The book was compelling for me, but as I say, I am a fan with much love of the music, particularly during the 60s.
Because there is so much written about Dylan, the Beatles, and the rising music culture I experienced, I sometimes think I learn more about myself when reading a book like this. And it is something to be able to say I will have some fresh perspectives on the music I have listened to hundreds if not thousands of time
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I thoroughly enjoyed this uniquely creative approach to revisiting the history of the Beatles and Bob Dylan. The way the author juxtaposed their contemporary output, while possibly stretching the connection at times, was entertaining and enlightening. Having read numerous Beatles and Dylan biographies, there wasn't a lot of new information, but the approach made it read like it was brand new. Highly recommended
Thanks to NetGalley and Scribner for an advanced reader copy.
Thanks to NetGalley and Scribner for an advanced reader copy.
May 19, 2026
After reading dozens of books about the Beatles and Dylan, I was surprised to find several tidbits I had never seen anywhere, such as the effect that George Harrison's sojourn with Dylan and the Band in 1968 had led to his discontent in the Get Back sessions. Or the effect "The Passover Plot" may have had on John Lennon's comments about Jesus.
Everything from 1970 onward is given a speeded up treatment, but still an enjoyable read.
Everything from 1970 onward is given a speeded up treatment, but still an enjoyable read.
May 20, 2026
A great tour of The Beatles’ and Bob Dylan’s orbits intersecting. The book humanizes them more than most biographies by tearing down the mystique they tried so hard to build. It spends a lot of time (like a lot of bios do) on the formative years and bum rushes through the decades afterward. There is a welcome focus on the music, even when the author makes some long stretches to connect the respective artists’ songs. A quick, enjoyable read that gives a new perspective.
June 8, 2026
This is not a bad book, but I wouldn't call it trailblazing, either. The best part kicks in about 180 pages in (of the 320 or so pages in the book), where the writing on the intersections between Dylan and The Beatles seems much more fresh, newer ground. I also liked the last part of the book as sort of a coda.
It is interesting to me that I finished this book while on vacation in Newport, the first time I've ever been here.
It is interesting to me that I finished this book while on vacation in Newport, the first time I've ever been here.
June 21, 2026
Interesting format...the book is written in chronological order moving from Beatles to Dylan and back again and meeting when they meet. Many of the stories were known to me but some weren't. That proved interesting. A lot of scholarship went into this book, yet it is a compelling read that I flew through. Nothing dry or academic here at all. It will certainly be captivating to a Dylan fan or a Beatles fan or anyone interested in the music OR the culture of the period.
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