Last Update: 04/05/2026 at 2:50 PM EST
Al Kooper's Dylan Legacy
Coverage from Best Classic Bands, Tony Scherman's Newsletter, and others
Articles
5
Latest Article
01/05
Active Days
975
Executive Summary
Al Kooper's organ work on Like a Rolling Stone and later Dylan sessions helped define electric rock and reshape his career
- Kooper met Michael Bloomfield during the Like a Rolling Stone session
- He played organ on Like a Rolling Stone after Tom Wilson left the room
- Dylan liked the part and asked for the organ to be turned up
- Kooper also worked on Highway 61 Revisited, Blonde on Blonde, and New Morning
- He learned from Dylan's Nashville method of long, focused studio takes
- Bob Johnston, Tom Wilson, and John Simon were key collaborators
- Kooper was honored with the Rock Hall Musical Excellence Award in 2023
Quick Facts
- What: Kooper's role in Dylan sessions and rock history
- Where: Columbia Studios in New York and Nashville sessions
- Why: His organ playing helped define Dylan's electric sound
- Who: Al Kooper and Bob Dylan with key studio collaborators
- When: Mainly 1965 to 1970, with 2023 recognition
Coverage Timeline: 975 Days
Featured Article
Nov 03, 2023, Al Kooper receives a Musical Excellence Award at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction in Brooklyn.
Additional Articles
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On Jun 16, 1965, Al Kooper unexpectedly played organ at Columbia Studios in New York as Bob Dylan recorded Like a Rolling Stone.
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In late March 1994 at WMMR in Philadelphia, Al Kooper gave an interview recounting Bob Dylan's mid-1960s studio sessions and later recording projects.
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Al Kooper's four pivotal moments in the 1960s music scene span the United States and Great Britain.
On Nov. 3 in Cleveland, Al Kooper, credited with the organ riff on Bob Dylan’s Like a Rolling Stone, will be honored with the Rock Hall Musical Excellence Award.