Bob Dylan – ‘If You Gotta Go, Go Now’ Demo Tape Sent to Byrds Manager
A reel-to-reel demo tape of Bob Dylan’s ‘If You Gottta Go, Go Now’ sent by Dylan’s music publisher, Warner Bros-Seven Arts Music, to Jim Dickson, manager of The Byrds, for consideration as a song for The Byrds, or another of his management clients to cover.
Dickson was the person who convinced The Byrds to cover “Mr Tambourine Man”, and was behind the first ever recording of a Dylan song by a bluegrass band when his clients, The Dillards, covered “Walkin’ Down the Line” on their 1964 album Live!!!!Almost!!!!.
As explained by the accompanying letter of authenticity from Sierra Records owner John Delgatto, a friend of Dickson, the demo is “…a live recording, from the October 1964 NY Philharmonic Hall concert. At some point in 1966 record producer/manager Jim Dickson (The Byrds, Gene Clark, Flying Burrito Brothers) had requested a copy of this song from Bob Dylan’s publisher, for possible recording by one of his and [his partner] Eddie Tickner’s groups. Dickson had originally obtained a demo of “Mr. Tambourine Man” before it was released by Dylan, resulting in a Number 1 single for the Byrds, and likely was eager to find another Dylan song with hit potential. This was one of many audio tapes Jim Dickson gave to me in 1996…”
The 5″ reel-to-reel tape is in its original box, with Dickson’s name handwritten on it. A CD transfer of the tape is included. With John Delgatto’s letter of authenticity and Recordmecca’s written lifetime guarantee of authenticity.
An extraordinary Bob Dylan collectible with fantastic provenance.
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