Everything’s coming up Bob Dylan as we draw nearer to the release of A Complete Unknown, James Mangold’s new Timothée Chalamet-starring biopic about him, and Julien’s Auctions has announced a special auction of 60 items, “Celebrating Bob Dylan: The Aronowitz Archive, T Bone Burnett & More.” It’ll be held at Nashville, TN’s Musician’s Hall of Fame & Museum this Saturday (1/18), and 50 of the items come from the archives of late journalist Al Aronowitz, who is best known for introducing Dylan to The Beatles in 1964. Those include typewritten drafts of the lyrics to “Mr. Tambourine Man” on two pages, a 1968 Dylan oil painting, a 1963 handbill from a headlining performance at NYC’s Town Hall, a 1983 Fender Telecaster made for and owned by Dylan, signed handwritten lyrics for “Blowin’ in the Wind,” a signed harmonica, a screenworn embellished Levi’s denim jacket from 1987 film Hearts of Fire, a one of a kind “Ionic Original” disc of “The Times They Are A-Changing'” (from a performance recorded at a special session with T Bone Burnett), early vintage photographs, original sketches, and more.
Aronowitz’s son Al says, “Billie Holiday, Miles Davis, Mick Jagger, Jerry Garcia, Carole King… My Father was this incredible connector. He was much more than a journalist, he understood what these artists were trying to do. He didn’t just meet these cultural icons, he brought them together. He introduced Allen Ginsberg to Bob Dylan, Bob Dylan to The Beatles. My Father was the one who turned The Beatles on for the first time. He connected Jimi Hendrix with Miles Davis, Nico with Lou Reed. He wasn’t just a writer with a powerbase as a New York columnist; Al had this unique kind of magic. He made these introductions that went on to shape culture itself. It was more than power or influence—there was something truly magical about what he did. The collection represents my father’s instinctive ability to identify and connect with greatness. Each item is evidence of this, and how with his magic, he literally brought you into the room!”
Highlights of the items up for auction from Aronowitz’s collection will also be on display in a special exhibition from Wednesday, December 18 through Friday, January 17, also at The Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum.
See a couple of the items along with trailers for the auction below, and see all items here.
