For a while in the 1960s and 1970s (and even occasionally today), every singer with a guitar, a harmonica, and a talent with words was hailed by critics as the next Bob Dylan. In Prine’s case, the description was a little more accurate than most, something Dylan himself confirmed when he made an unexpected guest appearance as a backing player at one of Prine’s first appearance’s in New York.
“Prine’s stuff is pure Proustian existentialism. Midwestern mindtrips to the nth degree. And he writes beautiful songs. I remember when Kris Kristofferson first brought him on the scene. All that stuff about Sam Stone the soldier junky daddy and Donald and Lydia, where people make love from ten miles away. Nobody but Prine could write like that. If I had to pick one song of his, it might be Lake Marie. I don’t remember what album that’s on,” Bob Dylan told MTV producer Bill Flanagan.
Bob Dylan sings John Prine – “People Puttin’ People Down”
Springsteen (accompanied by girlfriend Karen Darvin) attends Bob Dylan’s Rolling Thunder Review gig (which included Joni Mitchell ’s debut in the troupe). The Rolling Thunder Tour had begun on Oct 31st. Also attending (like Bruce, as viewers only) were Patti Smith and John Prine. Dylan’s film crew was present and shooting backstage, but no footage of Springsteen has ever surfaced.
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