Shillong:
For the 39th consecutive year, Shillong today celebrated legendary American singer Bob Dylan's birthday as the Tambourine Man turned 70.
The birthday boy has never cut the cake here, but that has never stopped this rock capital from throwing a bash for the singer, thanks to his fan Lou Majaw who is also known as 'Shillong's Bob Dylan'.
Several bands from various north-eastern states belted out Dylan numbers at the Laban Sports Club and Cloud Nine to mark the occasion.
No other Indian city perhaps has been celebrating the birthday of the philosopher-musician without a break for 39 years now. Led by Lou, Dylan fans from all over the country and outside assemble here to observe the living legend's birth anniversary.
Lou goes on to narrate how Dylan captured his imagination in the prime of his youth. "He started as a nobody and went on to become one of the greatest men alive in the world of music."
"We don't do it because we are fans, but out of respect and admiration for the man," said Lou, the founder member of the famous Shillong band 'The Great Society'.
The first Bob Dylan birthday celebration begun with a performance in front of an audience of 30 to 40 people in Shillong in 1972. Ever since, it grew into an annual event drawing fans from across the country and even outside.
Shillong, which is gradually emerging as the 'Western music capital' of the north-east, is one of the few places in the world where Dylan's birthday is celebrated every year with such fanfare.
"Anybody who comes my way will face music," said 64-year-old Lou.
Lou has performed all over the country with 'The Great Society', playing originals along with covers of traditional rock favourites. He has been the pioneer in promoting Dylan in this part of the world.
"I am not involved with trendy and fashionable music, which, in any case will not last long. See what has happened to disco? It has simply faded away," Lou said
The birthday boy has never cut the cake here, but that has never stopped this rock capital from throwing a bash for the singer, thanks to his fan Lou Majaw who is also known as 'Shillong's Bob Dylan'.
Several bands from various north-eastern states belted out Dylan numbers at the Laban Sports Club and Cloud Nine to mark the occasion.
No other Indian city perhaps has been celebrating the birthday of the philosopher-musician without a break for 39 years now. Led by Lou, Dylan fans from all over the country and outside assemble here to observe the living legend's birth anniversary.
Lou goes on to narrate how Dylan captured his imagination in the prime of his youth. "He started as a nobody and went on to become one of the greatest men alive in the world of music."
"We don't do it because we are fans, but out of respect and admiration for the man," said Lou, the founder member of the famous Shillong band 'The Great Society'.
The first Bob Dylan birthday celebration begun with a performance in front of an audience of 30 to 40 people in Shillong in 1972. Ever since, it grew into an annual event drawing fans from across the country and even outside.
Shillong, which is gradually emerging as the 'Western music capital' of the north-east, is one of the few places in the world where Dylan's birthday is celebrated every year with such fanfare.
"Anybody who comes my way will face music," said 64-year-old Lou.
Lou has performed all over the country with 'The Great Society', playing originals along with covers of traditional rock favourites. He has been the pioneer in promoting Dylan in this part of the world.
"I am not involved with trendy and fashionable music, which, in any case will not last long. See what has happened to disco? It has simply faded away," Lou said
