Bob Dylan Birmingham NEC 1981
Dylan returned to the UK in 1981, playing two nights at Birmingham NEC, and several at Earls Court which was the venue of his 1978 triumph. I bought two tickets for the Birmingham gig, but none of my mates fancied coming along. So I drove down to Birmingham on my own, and swapped my two not so good seats for one ticket in the front block. I was still around 20 rows from the front, but hey that was a lot better view than at the back of Earls Court or sitting among 250,00 people at Blackbushe. By 1981 Dylan was heavily into religion and some of the new songs reflected this. However, there were still quite a few Dylan classics in the set. 
I enjoyed being relatively close to the great man for the first time. It wasn’t the best time I have seen Bob, but nonetheless was a good gig. After the gig I made the 200 mile drive home. I recall witnessing an awful mutli-car pile up on the M6, which really shook me up. Setlist: Gotta Serve Somebody; I Believe In You; Like a Rolling Stone; Till I Get It Right; Man Gave Names to All the Animals; Maggie’s Farm; Girl From the North Country; Ballad of a Thin Man; Simple Twist of Fate; Watered Down Love; Slow Train; Lenny Bruce; Mr. Tambourine Man; Solid Rock; Just Like a Woman; Heart of Mine; What Can I Do for You?; Masters of War; When You Gonna Wake Up?; In the Garden; City of Gold; It Ain’t Me, Babe; Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door
11 Oct
Vintagerock's Weblog. 
Posted by Averil on November 13, 2022 at 6:53 pm
Was there with you. Still have my programme and a yellow ‘Bob Dylan 1981’ badge – young and in love – much older now Xxx
Posted by vintagerock on November 13, 2022 at 7:08 pm
It seems so long ago now Averil 🙂 happy days Peter
Posted by James Pickford on October 29, 2023 at 7:50 pm
I was there, it was a great performance by Dylan, not too much messing about with his songs, a memorable night particularly the fact that my best mate, who I went with has recently died
Posted by vintagerock on October 29, 2023 at 8:11 pm
Sorry to hear about your friend James. It is nice that you have happy memories of seeing Bob Dylan together. Yes Dylan was really great back in those days. He remains great to this day. Peter
Posted by Keith Longstaff on January 26, 2025 at 10:51 pm
Great memories of Earle’s Court in 1978 although me and Lesley were at the back and Bob was a tiny dot at the front!
Wonder how many of us made it to Blackbushe Aerodrome back in the day Peter? What an experience that was.
Keith Longstaff
Posted by vintagerock on January 27, 2025 at 12:10 pm
Hi Keith
Yes Marie and I also went to Earls Court to see Dylan and had a similar experience from seats right up the back of the arena. I think there were around 250,000 people at Blackbushe. Another great performance by Dylan.
Best wishes Peter
Posted by Viv Stringer on March 17, 2025 at 10:29 pm
Was there with my soon to be wife on 4th July- Block E. Really annoyed as many people seemed to just ignore the early part of the 1st set which were mainly the new Christian songs. Lots of people just chatting away. Bigots just ruined the atmosphere. Tickets and programme still treasured
Posted by vintagerock on March 18, 2025 at 11:37 am
Yes it was a great concert peter