The Bridge: Dylan Was Always Electric

In this mini-episode of Hit Parade, host Chris Molanphy welcomes musician, writer, and historian Elijah Wald, author of the book Dylan Goes Electric: Newport, Seeger, Dylan and the Night that Split the Sixties—the basis for the Oscar-nominated Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown. Wald says that while the movie, by necessity, elides and invents numerous Bob Dylan scenarios, it manages to capture both the ’60s folk scene and how the shapeshifting Dylan benefited from and stood apart from it. Also: Chris tests a Slate Plus listener’s music knowledge, gives him a chance to turn the tables with a question of his own—and previews the next episode of Hit Parade. Slate Plus members can sign up for a chance to be our trivia contestant on a future episode here. Podcast production by Kevin Bendis.