Mar 14 2011 11:49 AM ET

Bob Dylan to play his first-ever concert in China

Bob-Dylan

Image Credit: Kevin Mazur/WireImage

For the first time ever, Chinese officials are permitting legendary folk singer Bob Dylan to play the People’s Republic of China. The 69-year-old icon will be playing Beijing between March 30 and April 12, with a Shanghai date to follow, according to the Chinese Ministry of Culture.

Dylan was reportedly going to folk-rock Beijing and Shanghai last year until difficulties with the Ministry (perhaps too much red tape? HA!) and financial disputes with promoters led to a cancellation.

Still, the Bob Dylan arriving in China won’t exactly be the Freewheelin‘ one most audiences are used to—the Chinese government will have veto power over his set list, which probably means that Chinese fans who have waited decades to see him play on their home soil shouldn’t expect to hear many of Dylan’s civil rights-era anthems or anti-war “finger-pointing” songs.

Then again, maybe China’s Ministry of Culture just wants to make sure he doesn’t play any of the born-again Christian stuff, and could you really blame them? Also, fun trivia: Bob Dylan is actually eight years older than the People’s Republic of China.

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Comments (5 total) Add your comment
  • ChasL

    Um, get your facts right. The Chinese Ministry of Culture had said they never received an application for Dylan.

    The Dylan cancelation last year had everything to do with Brokers Brothers huge mark-up in flipping the concert.

    There were no takers, and blaming the Chinese government was just a easy way to not pay the guarantee.

  • alan fenna

    bob dont sing them songs,but rarely.
    dont be surprised if he makes up a new one on the spot!

  • JoeyB

    Karl Marx has got you by the throat….

  • Mike Beckett

    I am the historian at the 45th Infantry Division museum. We have volunteers who are WWII vets. The biggest peace activist I have ever met are these guys who were combat vets who saw the true horors of war. We all love your prespective artistically but these guys are for real. If you ever come through Oklahoma City I hope you stop bye and see us.
    Is that a pistol in you pocket are you happy to see me?
    U will love the visit from a historical prospective.

  • ANONYMOUS

    DO YOUR THING DYLAN OR DON’T DO IT AT ALL

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