Robert Shelton
Robert Shelton was a music and film critic who died in 1995. He helped to launch the career of a then-unknown 20-year-old Bob Dylan in 1961, when Dylan was performing at Gerde's Folk City in the West Village, opening for the bluegrass act the Greenbriar Boys. Shelton's positive review in The New York Times brought crucial publicity to Dylan and led to a Columbia recording contract. For a decade (1958–1968), Shelton reviewed music, in particular folk music, but also pop and country music, becoming a friend of many of the artists and extending his influence beyond the pages of the Times. He reviewed the inaugural Newport Folk Festival (NFF) for The New York Times and The Nation and edited the program for the influential 1963 NFF under the pen name "Stacey Williams". He wrote album notes for several artists, including Bob Dylan's first album. During the early 1960s, Shelton co-edited a magazine, Hootenanny at the same time as his friend Linda Solomon edited a different magazine titled ABC-TV Hootenanny.
Shelton spent 20 years writing and rewriting his Dylan biography, No Direction Home, The Life and Music of Bob Dylan which was finally published in 1986, after years of arguments with publishers about the style and length of the work. Shelton's intention from the outset was to write a serious cultural study, not a showbiz biography; as a result, he later said his life's work had been "abridged over troubled waters". The title is taken from the lyric of Dylan's hit single 'Like a Rolling Stone'. The same title, No Direction Home, was used by Martin Scorsese for his 2005 documentary film about Dylan's career from the beginning to his motorcycle crash in 1966. Other books by Shelton include Electric Muse: The Story Of Folk Into Rock and The Face of Folk Music. An updated edition of this book, The Electric Muse Revisited, with new material by Robin Denselow, one of the original quartet of contributors, is scheduled for publication by Omnibus Press in May 2021. The folk music charity Square Roots Productions was midwife to the project.
In 1969 Shelton moved to the United Kingdom, living in Hampstead and Sydenham, and then (from 1982) in the South Coast town of Brighton, where he edited the Arts page of the Brighton Evening Argus, and then wrote – mostly about films – for a number of other publications up to his death. In 1996, Shelton's papers, and his collection of books, records and research material were donated to the Institute of Popular Music at the University of Liverpool.
65 articles
List of articles in the library
Overview by Robert Shelton, The New York Times, 17 November 1960
Art Form Flowers in the Coffeehouses and Plush Clubs Airs of Many Lands Presented by an Army of Talent ...
The Kingston Trio: Carnegie Hall, New York NY
Live Review by Robert Shelton, The New York Times, 24 November 1960
College Spirit of Kingston Trio Marks Carnegie Hall Programs ...
John Lee Hooker: Several Styles of Blues Singing
Profile by Robert Shelton, The New York Times, 7 April 1961
Genre's Wide Range Seen in Delivery of John Lee Hooker ...
Miriam Makeba, Nina Simone: Carnegie Hall, New York NY
Live Review by Robert Shelton, The New York Times, 22 May 1961
TWO FOLK SINGERS PRESENT CONCERT ...
Bob Dylan, The Greenbriar Boys: The Greenbriar Boys, Bob Dylan: Gerde's Folk City, New York NY
Live Review by Robert Shelton, The New York Times, 29 September 1961
Bob Dylan: A Distinctive Folk-Song Stylist: 20-Year-Old Singer Is Bright New Face at Gerde's Club ...
Report by Robert Shelton, The New York Times, 26 November 1961
NASHVILLE, TENN. After thirty-five years of broadcasting, the grand old dinosaur of American radio, Grand Ole Opry, is as boisterously alive as ever. The show ...
Clara Ward et al: New Fields Found By Gospel Singers
Report by Robert Shelton, The New York Times, 18 February 1962
Music Meeting Success in Night Clubs and Theatres ...
Live Review by Robert Shelton, The New York Times, 11 May 1962
Troupe of Country Musicians Gives Program at Carnegie Hall ...
Charles Mingus: Charlie Mingus: Jazz Man Is Changing His Beat
Report and Interview by Robert Shelton, The New York Times, 27 August 1962
Charlie Mingus at Work on Story of His Hard Times Bassist Is Planning to Leave U.S. and Write Symphony ...
Live Review by Robert Shelton, The New York Times, 8 September 1962
GOSPEL FESTIVAL GETS UNDER WAY 3-Day Event Set for Randalls Island Begins a Little Late ...
Review by Robert Shelton, The New York Times, 28 April 1963
A LONGER perspective may revise the view, but it appears from a distance of a few months that 1962 was the year when the folk-music ...
Pete Seeger, The Weavers: The Weavers: Carnegie Hall, New York NY
Live Review by Robert Shelton, The New York Times, 3 May 1963
7 WEAVERS OFFER 'REUNION' CONCERT Alumni and Future Member Join Folk-Music Quartet ...
Pete Seeger: Rights Song Has Own History of Integration
Retrospective by Robert Shelton, The New York Times, 23 July 1963
Theme Well-Known Despite Lack of A Single Disk ...
Sandy Bull, Stu Ramsay, Roger Sprung: Albums from Sandy Bull and more
Review by Robert Shelton, The New York Times, 18 August 1963
A STRUMMER WITH MORE THAN THREE CHORDS ...
Jim Kweskin & the Jug Band: Bitter End, New York NY
Live Review by Robert Shelton, The New York Times, 21 September 1963
Kweskin Quintet at Bitter End Puts Polish in the Ragtime Jug ...
Bob Dylan: Carnegie Hall, New York NY
Live Review by Robert Shelton, The New York Times, 28 October 1963
Folk Songs Draw Carnegie Cheers Bob Dylan Appears as an 'Angry Young' Recitalist ...
Dock Boggs, Mississippi John Hurt: Alumni Hall, New York University, New York NY
Live Review by Robert Shelton, The New York Times, 14 December 1963
2 OLD-TIMERS SHARE FOLK-SONG PROGRAM ...
Paul Butterfield Blues Band: Beatles Backlash Spurs Modern Blues
Report by Robert Shelton, The New York Times, 11 March 1965
Performers in 'Village' Influenced by Britons Paul Butterfield Band Stirs Excitement ...
Roy Acuff, Roger Miller, Buck Owens: Albums from Roy Acuff, Buck Owens and Roger Miller
Review by Robert Shelton, The New York Times, 21 March 1965
Nashville's Modern Folk ...
Bob Dylan: Beneath the Festival's Razzle-Dazzle
Report by Robert Shelton, The New York Times, 1 August 1965
THE RAZZLE-dazzle of last weekend's Newport Folk Festival should not eclipse the quiet, unflamboyant work of enrichening American folk culture that the festival makes possible. ...
Overview by Robert Shelton, The New York Times, 11 August 1965
JOHN, PAUL, George and Ringo are bringing it all back home. That means the Beatles are returning to the United States. They will arrive Friday ...
Bob Dylan: Pop Singers and Song Writers Racing Down Bob Dylan's Road
Profile and Interview by Robert Shelton, The New York Times, 27 August 1965
Musician's "Sound" Inspires a Variety of Entertainers in "Folk Rock" Idiom ...
Bob Dylan: Forest Hills Stadium, Forest Hills Stadium NY
Live Review by Robert Shelton, The New York Times, 30 August 1965
DYLAN CONQUERS UNRULY AUDIENCE Folk Singer Offers Works in'New Mood' at Forest Hills ...
Petula Clark Goes Midtown And Captivates Copa Patrons
Profile by Robert Shelton, The New York Times, 16 October 1965
Petite Performer With Big Voice Demonstrates Why She's So Popular ...
"Opry", 40, Shows No Sign Of Aging
Report by Robert Shelton, The New York Times, 23 October 1965
Nashville Marking Event's Birthday on Joyous Note ...
Elizabeth Cotten: Domestic, 71, Sings Folk Songs Of Own Composition in Village
Profile by Robert Shelton, The New York Times, 6 November 1965
Elizabeth Cotten, Who Wrote 'Freight Train' Performs With Guitar and Banjo ...
Chet Atkins, Johnny Cash, Gordon Terry: The Nashville Sound
Report by Robert Shelton, The New York Times, 28 November 1965
NASHVILLE — ALTHOUGH there have been no birthday cakes visible, this music center has been savoring its sweet desserts during this anniversary year. ...
The Remains (Long-Haired Dropouts) to Be Seen
Profile by Robert Shelton, The New York Times, 11 December 1965
FOUR BOSTON University undergraduates have decided to spend their junior year in rock 'n' roll. ...
Judy Collins: Carnegie Hall, New York NY
Live Review by Robert Shelton, The New York Times, 27 December 1965
Judy Collins Gives Folk-Song Concert ...
Review by Robert Shelton, The New York Times, 30 January 1966
FOLK-ROCK, which mixes the simplicity of folk music with the frenetic rhythmic heat of the electrically amplified sound of rock 'n' roll, caused one of ...
Letter by Robert Shelton, The New York Times, 20 February 1966
TO THE EDITOR: ...
Review by Robert Shelton, The New York Times, 27 February 1966
An Old Folk Line On a New Label ...
Review by Robert Shelton, The New York Times, 6 March 1966
LONDON — AN American visitor to Great Britain's folk-music community can only experience a sense of exhilaration at the liveliness, diversity and number of activities ...
Eric Andersen: Town Hall, New York NY
Live Review by Robert Shelton, The New York Times, 11 April 1966
ANDERSEN DEBUT FILLS TOWN HALL Singer's Own Compositions Are Heard at Program ...
Odetta: Hunter College, New York NY
Live Review by Robert Shelton, The New York Times, 23 April 1966
ODETTA, THE folk singer, was in excellent voice last night for her recital at Hunter College. The singer-guitarist drew an audience of about 800 persons. ...
Review by Robert Shelton, The New York Times, 24 April 1966
Folk Singers From the 'Source' ...
Live Review by Robert Shelton, The New York Times, 2 July 1966
FESTIVAL IN PARK OPENS BRIGHTLY Overflow Audience at Rink Hears Dionne Warwick ...
The Rolling Stones: Forest Hills Stadium, Queens NY
Live Review by Robert Shelton, The New York Times, 4 July 1966
5 ROLLING STONES GATHER AVID FANS Middling Turnout Fails to Dull Teen-Age Excitement ...
Live Review by Robert Shelton, The New York Times, 8 August 1966
2 POP GROUPS HEARD BY 14,000 IN QUEENS ...
Live Review by Robert Shelton, The New York Times, 15 August 1966
KEY TO THE BLUES IS SHOWMANSHIP Dancing and Costumes Add Dash to 30 Singing Acts ...
Otis Redding: Rheingold Music Festival, Central Park, New York NY
Live Review by Robert Shelton, The New York Times, 18 August 1966
OTIS REDDING STARS IN 2 PARK CONCERTS ...
Overview by Robert Shelton, The New York Times, 28 August 1966
AS THE accompanying checklist of blues LP recordings will testify, the past year has been an extremely active one for all forms of the blues ...
Simon & Garfunkel: A Law Firm They're Not
Interview by Robert Shelton, The New York Times, 28 August 1966
ALMOST BEFORE the public knew whether Simon and Garfunkel was a comedy act, a law firm, or a partnership in the garment industry, the two ...
Janis Ian: Censors and the "New Reality"
Comment by Robert Shelton, The New York Times, 25 September 1966
A FOLK-ROCK disk issued earlier this month which spotlights a shining new singing and song-writing talent, also throws some rays of light into the shadowy ...
The Byrds, Lothar and the Hand People: Village Gate, New York NY
Live Review by Robert Shelton, The New York Times, 7 October 1966
Byrds Fuse Jazz, Rock 'n' Roll and Con Edison Group From Coast Brightens Electronic Entertainment at The Village Gate ...
Ian and Sylvia: Philharmonic Hall, New York NY
Live Review by Robert Shelton, The New York Times, 29 October 1966
IAN AND SYLVIA SING TASTEFUL PROGRAM ...
Phil Ochs: Carnegie Hall, New York NY
Live Review by Robert Shelton, The New York Times, 25 November 1966
PHIL OCHS RETURNS WITH HIS OWN SONGS ...
The Mothers Of Invention, Frank Zappa: Frank Zappa: "Son of Suzy Creamcheese"
Profile and Interview by Robert Shelton, The New York Times, 25 December 1966
THE MOST original new group to simmer out of the steaming rock 'n' roll underground in the last hour and one-half is an audacious crew ...
Simon & Garfunkel: Philharmonic Hall, New York NY
Live Review by Robert Shelton, The New York Times, 23 January 1967
SIMON & GARFUNKEL MAKE STATUS FIRM ...
Spanky & Our Gang: Spanky and Our Gang Building Clubhouse at Top of Pops Tree
Profile by Robert Shelton, The New York Times, 6 May 1967
FROM THE overcrowded forest of pop vocal groups, a gifted new quartet seems clearly about to rise into a Sequoialike prominence. ...
Buck Owens: Village Theater, New York NY
Live Review by Robert Shelton, The New York Times, 13 November 1967
Country-Rock by Buck Owens Suggests New Musical Trend ...
Tim Buckley: Garrick Theater, New York NY
Live Review by Robert Shelton, The New York Times, 14 November 1967
BLUES-ROCK BAG SUNG BY BUCKLEY California Tenor Enlivens a Quiet Monday 'Village' ...
Jim Kweskin & the Jug Band: The Jim Kweskin Jug Band: Town Hall, New York NY
Live Review by Robert Shelton, The New York Times, 25 November 1967
Town Hall hostto Kweskin Band — Music of a Generation Ago is Attractively Presented ...
The Mothers of Invention: Town Hall, New York NY
Live Review by Robert Shelton, The New York Times, 23 December 1967
TOWN HALL ROCKS TO A ZANY GROUP Mothers of Invention Also Offer Serious Music ...
Live Review by Robert Shelton, The New York Times, 24 December 1967
The Rascals Draw 16,000 Teen-Agers To Garden Concert ...
Big Brother & the Holding Company, B.B. King, Aluminum Dream: Anderson Theater, New York NY
Live Review by Robert Shelton, The New York Times, 19 February 1968
Janis Joplin Is Climbing Fast In the Heady Rock Firmament ...
Blue Cheer, Iron Butterfly, Traffic: Traffic, Blue Cheer, Iron Butterfly: Fillmore East, New York NY
Live Review by Robert Shelton, The New York Times, 27 April 1968
Traffic, a British Trio, Flows With Subtlety at Fillmore East ...
Live Review by Robert Shelton, The New York Times, 16 June 1968
JEFF BECK GROUP CHEERED IN DEBUT British Pop Singers Delight Fillmore East Audience ...
Profile by Robert Shelton, The New York Times, 5 July 1968
Developing Trend Indicated at the Bitter End by Jerry Walker and Joni Mitchell ...
Live Review by Robert Shelton, The New York Times, 3 August 1968
FILLMORE EAST HEARS GOSPELERS 2,500 in Audience Cheer a British, 2 U.S. Groups ...
Live Review by Robert Shelton, The New York Times, 2 September 1968
Top Pop Concert Draws Only 2,000 To Randalls Island ...
The Drifters, Aretha Franklin: Aretha Franklin, the Drifters: Philharmonic Hall, New York NY
Live Review by Robert Shelton, The New York Times, 14 October 1968
ARETHA FRANKLIN IN TWIN CONCERTS ...
Live Review by Robert Shelton, The New York Times, 23 November 1968
James Brown Scores Knockout With Soul Music at the Garden ...
Elvis Presley: Elvis (NBC, Dir. Steve Binder)
Film/DVD/TV Review by Robert Shelton, The New York Times, 4 December 1968
Rock Star's Explosive Blues Have Vintage Quality ...
Bob Dylan: How does it feel to be on your own?
Interview by Robert Shelton, Melody Maker, 29 July 1978
"HOW DOES it feel?" I teased Bob Dylan with his own famous question. He'd just finished his sixth triumphant concert at Earl's Court. Dylan insisted ...
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