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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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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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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."
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
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
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 1, 2026
I think the writer who works at the New York Times must have gotten journalist friends to give him positive reviews. The book is dull and unoriginal. "The Beatles and Bob Dylan influenced each other." He writes in what he imagines are the Beatles' Liverpool accents, which he seems to think is funny and cute but gets annoying.
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.
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.
April 23, 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 1, 2026
Not fucking kidding when I say this is the most important book ever written for me personally
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Many books over the decades have touched on Bob Dylan's connection with the Beatles, but no author has attempted to delve as deeply into their relationships as this one. Their origin stories and rises to fame are told in parallel, and major events and touchstones are discussed in real time. Even some of the more well-told tales are revisited in context, and are more illuminating than ever before. While the book naturally tails off in detail once the '70s hit, the emphasis on their most creative and universally appreciated periods makes it a page-turner. A much-recommended addition to the libraries of fans of Dylan and the Beatles alike. Thanks to NetGalley for this advanced proof (and hopefully some editor will take out the part about Ringo playing on the Imagine album, because he didn't).
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is easily one of the best books I’ve read yet on Bob Dylan and The Beatles. Yes, they truly influenced each other! A very quick and fun book to read. I highly recommend it especially for anyone who loves these musicians.!! I still have the first Bob Dylan and the first Beatles albums in our collection. I bought them at Woolworth’s for $2.99 each. We grew up with Bob and The Beatles. He was like our uncle. The Beatles were friends we wanted to have. Highly recommended reading!!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews