Bob Dylan -De Kuip (Rotterdam)June 23, 1978

 

My first Bob Dylan concert, with a little story. Two days before the concert I broke my ankle, so I had a problem.. Luckily my friend Eugene was there to drive, foot in a cast, two crutches and go!!Second problem rain, not so good for the cast. The next day the doctor was not so happy with me. Nevertheless, a wonderful and unforgettable evening. Many more BD concerts would follow....

 Bob Dylan's performance on June 23, 1978 in De Kuip was part of a world tour that started on February 20 with a number of concerts in Tokyo. Everything was grand about his shows. The singer was accompanied by an eight-piece band, supplemented by three background singers. The concert series that was continued in New Zealand, Australia, America and eventually also visited Europe, mainly passed immense sports halls and stadiums. The choice to do so had largely a financial background.  

 The singer had lost a lot of money in previous years to the film adventure Renaldo and Clara. His divorce from his wife Sara also came over that. As Bob Dylan sighed in an interview at the time, “California divorces are expensive.” In the Netherlands, the choice fell on the Kuip. This was a first. The stadium, which opened in 1937, had grown into an iconic football temple, but no one had ever thought of holding a pop concert there. 

                                                              Foto Eugene

Until concert organizer Mojo noticed it. It took booker and director Léon Ramakers some effort to convince the owners of De Kuip of the feasibility. Eventually the light turned green and the presale could start on May 6, 1978. The price was high for that time: 25 guilders for a grandstand ticket, 35 guilders for a spot on the field. However, there was a considerable bonus: guitar god Eric Clapton provided the support act as a 'special guest'.

                                                    Eric Clapton ( foto Eugene)

                                                                 Foto Eugene

                                                 Foto Eugene