Bob Dylan’s Secret Archive Sold: Incredible Depth of Materials Shows Classics in Progress

It’s the stuff rock n’ roll treasure-hunter legends are made of: the long-rumored secret archives Bob Dylan kept of his own songs in the making is real, and the richest man in Oklahoma has just bought them – along with a trove of priceless lyrics, recordings, correspondence, photos and films – for a research center. 

It sounds like the premise of an untold Vonnegut story, but it’s very real. As the New York Times reports, “There have long been rumors that Mr. Dylan had stashed away an extensive archive. It is now revealed that he did keep a private trove of his work, dating back to his earliest days as an artist, including lyrics, correspondence, recordings, films and photographs. That archive of 6,000 pieces has recently been acquired by a group of institutions in Oklahoma for an estimated $15 million to $20 million, and is set to become a resource for academic study.”

The insight provided into the songwriter’s work by the materials is unprecedented, especially for a figure of such iconic status in the music world.

“It’s going to start anew the way people study Dylan,” said Sean Wilentz, the Princeton historian and author of “Bob Dylan in America”. 

After going through two years of cataloging and digitization, the archive of materials will make a home in Tulsa alongside a rare copy of the Declaration of Independence, a cache of Native American art and the papers of Guthrie.

In a statement, Dylan was appreciative of the interest and honor of designation, proud that the materials “are to be included with the works of Woody Guthrie and especially alongside all the valuable artifacts from the Native American nations.” He added, “To me it makes a lot of sense, and it’s a great honor.”

The voluminous materials are pulled from every phase of Mr. Dylan’s career, tracking the evolution of a staggering number of songs, including the lyrics to his beloved Blood on The Tracks album. 

Photos: New York Times

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