Bob Dylan Debuts Rocking Bo Diddley Cover In Memphis

Bob Dylan debuted a cover from rock ‘n’ roll legend Bo Diddley on Friday. Dylan unveiled Diddley’s 1962 single “I Can Tell” during his performance at the traveling Outlaw Music Festival stop at Radians Amphitheater in Memphis.

While not from Memphis, Bo Diddley was born in McComb, Mississippi a few hours south. Like his fellow rock ‘n’ roll pioneers Chuck Berry and Little Richard, Bo Diddley’s influence on American popular music is widespread. His famed “Bo Diddley Beat” can be heard in the music of rock legends such as Buddy Holly, The Who, the Grateful Dead, The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Led Zeppelin, U2 and many more.

While still carrying Diddley’s signature flair for heavy beats, “I Can Tell” is more of a backbeat rocker rather than the syncopated “Bo Diddley Beat.” The song (credited to Samuel Smith, McDaniel) arrived as a single in 1962 off Bo Diddley, his second self-titled album. The record was a hit in England and followed Diddley’s tour in the UK with Little Richard and The Rolling Stones. In America, 1962 also saw the rise of a talented young singer-songwriter, Bob Dylan.

Dylan’s version of “I Can Tell” on Friday in Memphis marked his first performance of the song, and he stuck pretty close to Diddley’s arrangement. Watch a clip of the Memphis debut:

Bob would also cover “I Can Tell” the following night near St. Louis. Audio of the full performance can be heard below:

Bob Dylan’s stint on the Outlaw Music Festival continues tomorrow (July 1) near Oklahoma City. Scroll down for his itinerary and ticket info.