Bob Dylan Plays ‘All Along The Watchtower’ For 1st Time Since 2018

According to Bob Dylan’s official setlist database, he has performed one of his most popular songs, “All Along The Watchtower,” 2,269 times after it opened his Outlaw Music Festival set last night at Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. The legendary singer-songwriter last played “All Along The Watchtower” on November 29, 2018.

“All Along The Watchtower” appeared on Dylan’s 1967 album, John Wesley Harding, and soon became a frequently covered standard of rock and folk music. Jimi Hendrix’s version forever reshaped the song upon its inclusion on his 1968 album, Electric Ladyland. Hendrix performed “All Along The Watchtower” in concert before his untimely death in 1970, bringing it to live stage several years ahead of Dylan.

The first time Bob Dylan played “All Along The Watchtower” in concert was in January 1974 when he embarked on his first tour since 1966, which saw him reunite with The Band. The song for the most part remained in Dylan’s live setlists through 2018.

Watch Bob Dylan open last evening’s Outlaw Music Festival set at Blossom Music Center with his first performance of “All Along The Watchtower” in over five years via the audience-shot video below:

The rest of Dylan’s setlist on Thursday stayed close to others on the tour. Harmonica player Mickey Raphael, who is part of Outlaw Festival leader Willie Nelson’s Family Band, joined Dylan at the end of his set for “Simple Twist of Fate” and “Ballad of a Thin Man.”

The Outlaw Music Festival continues tomorrow, Saturday, September 14 at The Pavilion at Star Lake in Burgettstown, Pennsylvania. Follow JamBase’s Instagram account (@JamBase) for updates from the Outlaw Music Festival by Southern Avenue during their stint on the tour.