A rare collection of two pages of lyrics written by Nobel Prize-winning musician Bob Dylan has sold for over $500,000. The lyrics, from his 1965 chart-topper “Mr. Tambourine Man,” were part of the personal trove of rock ‘n’ roll journalist Al Aronowitz, who chronicled the careers of artists and musicians in the 1960s.
The drafts were discovered by Aronowitz’s son Myles while organizing his father’s collection of over 250 boxes containing rare memorabilia. For years, the family believed the lyrics were lost, but they recently resurfaced as part of a larger auction featuring dozens of Dylan memorabilia items.
Experts say the lyrics offer a unique glimpse into Dylan’s writing process and confirm that “genius works” through meticulous revisions. The collection includes rare home recordings, letters, notes, and photographs, which Myles Aronowitz hopes to eventually turn over to a library or museum.
The sale marks a significant milestone in the preservation of 1960s music history, and it comes as Dylan has been in the spotlight recently with the release of the biopic “A Complete Unknown” and his surprise appearance on social media platform TikTok.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/20/arts/music/bob-dylan-tambourine-man-lyrics-sold.html