In 1969 Bob Dylan stunned the world by turning his back on the Woodstock Festival and agreeing to play at the second Isle of Wight Festival of Music instead. Now, 50 years on, that legendary event is to be celebrated with ‘Million Dollar Bash’, a celebratory 1-day festival right here on the Isle of Wight
Million Dollar Bash, which is set to feature a raft of top acts including many who played on the same stage as Dylan all those years ago, will take place on Saturday 31st August at the County Showground, Northwood – exactly half a century on from the iconic festival that featured Dylan, The Band, The Who, The Moody Blues, Free, Joe Cocker, Julie Felix, Pentangle and many more.
Over 150,000 fans descended on Woodside Bay near Wootton in 1969 – the biggest festival ever in the UK at that time.
Million Dollar Bash is the latest celebration organised by All Wight Now, the group dedicated to honouring the original 1968, 1969 and 1970 festivals.
The Bash will be an all-day family-friendly festival and will feature Dylancentric, a talent-packed band assembled for this event by Ashley Hutchings MBE, founder member of Fairport Convention and lauded by Dylan himself as “the single most important figure in English folk music”. They will honour Dylan’s music and are joined by an impressive roster of rock and folk talent.
Legendary veterans from the 1969 event will perform, including Jacqui McShee’s Pentangle. Jacqui and folk-rockers Pentangle played just a few hours before Dylan on the Sunday of the iconic 1969 gathering. More names from the ‘69 Island festival are to appear and will be announced soon.
Acclaimed sculptor Guy Portelli, who shot to fame on TV’s Dragon’s Den, will showcase his sculpture of Bob Dylan and also a glass mosaic panel featuring hand prints contributed by many of the original IoW festival artists.
To see the full line-up and for more information head to www.allwightnow.com.
Wow was it that long ago!!! Goodness I was so stoned , I can’t remember much.wonderful time and music was good. And so was the atmosphere,. And people too. No fear. (Except been stung by a wisp.)
Could they not afford Bob himself?
Never know he might just turn up and surprise you all. At moment he has a very busy schedule
There are going to be more big names announced soon, too. It should be a great celebration so please come and join us – tickets available rom allwightnow.com