by John Myers, Line Producer, World Cafe on XPN

The first time I saw Bob Dylan it was at Philadelphia’s Electric Factory on December 17, 1995. Dylan was on fire… singing well and rocking out guitar solos during a fantastic set that included an amazing duet with Patti Smith on the song “Dark Eyes.”

Here’s the complete set list:

Crash On The Levee (Down In The Flood)
Señor (Tales Of Yankee Power)
All Along The Watchtower
Every Grain Of Sand
Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat
Silvio
Tangled Up In Blue (acoustic)
Desolation Row (acoustic)
It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue (acoustic)
Dark Eyes (acoustic - vocals shared with Patti Smith)
Maggie’s Farm
She Belongs To Me
(encore)
West LA Fadeaway
Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door ( vocals shared with Patti Smith)
Rainy Day Women #12 & 35 (Cesar Diaz on guitar)

After the show I went behind the venue with a few friends to hang by Dylan’s bus hoping to catch a glimpse of Mr. Zimmerman. I couldn’t believe that more people didn’t have the same idea… I was standing right next to the bus when the door opened and off walked… Michael Stipe!?! I quickly said “Hi Michael, I’m a big fan.” He said “thanks” and shook my hand. My friends gathered around and Michael said, “Wow, thanks for the reception.” We were all a bit stunned and couldn’t say much. After a few awkward moments Michael walked to a blue Ford Taurus that was parked next to the Factory, got in and drove away.

I later learned that after that experience each of my friends and me as well went back to our individual homes and listened to the R.E.M. song “Nightswimming.” … strange.