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Key developments
Dylan clearance for Old 97’s song noted
Bookforum’s Rhett Miller, reviewing Sean Wilentz’s Bob Dylan in America, writes that Old 97’s “recently received word” through management that Dylan agreed to let the band release “Champaign, Illinois,” Miller’s rewritten version of “Desolation Row,” on an upcoming album. The disclosure appears inside a broader discussion of Dylan, borrowing, plagiarism allegations, and artistic permission.
Why it matters
It is the strongest concrete rights-and-release disclosure in an otherwise retrospective Dylan news set.
Sources & driving stories
BOOKFORUM · Rhett Miller
Bookforum coverageByrds debut anniversary spotlights Dylan cover
Parade’s Andrea Reiher marks June 21 as 61 years since The Byrds released their debut album Mr. Tambourine Man in 1965. The article notes the band’s April single condensed Dylan’s 1964 song into a pop format, used Roger McGuinn’s 12-string Rickenbacker sound and layered harmonies, reached No. 1 in the U.S. and U.K., and helped catalyze folk-rock.
Why it matters
The anniversary reinforces Dylan’s indirect role in the folk-rock boom, though it adds no new archival claim.
Sources & driving stories
PARADE · Andrea Reiher
Parade coverageWorth noting
WORTH NOTING
Dylan favorite-song comments resurfaced
Rock and Roll Garage’s Rafael Polcaro recirculates Dylan remarks identifying “Love Sick” and “Sad-Eyed Lady of the Lowlands” among his strongest songs, with context from Time Out of Mind and Blonde on Blonde.
WORTH NOTING
Dylan book prompts Webb analysis
Tony Attwood’s blog post uses Dylan’s The Philosophy of Modern Song to frame an analysis of Jimmy Webb’s “By the Time I Get to Phoenix,” extending Dylan-related critical discussion beyond Dylan’s own catalog.
Still unclear
OPEN QUESTION
Does the Old 97’s clearance need follow-up?
The Bookforum piece names permission granted through management but provides no separate rights document, label announcement, or precise release timetable.
OPEN QUESTION
Are retrospectives crowding out current news?
Most available items are anniversary, review, or interpretive pieces, suggesting today’s Dylan signal is limited rather than event-driven.