Dylan, The

Dylan, The Band and Sun Ra Coming to A2

On tour tor the first time in eight years, bod Dylan will be appearing in concert with the band on February 2nd, 1973, at Crisler Arena, one stop on a 25 city, 39 show US tour.

And in another, surprise move, SUN RA and his Intergalactic Discipline Arkestra will be coming to King Pleasure in Ann Arbor New Year's Eve and January 1st.

The Dylan appearance was arranged at the last minute, after Notre Dame University in South Bend, Indiana cancelled out of their scheduled Dylan date due to basketball practice. Bill Graham of Fillmore fame, who together with Asylum Records president David Geffen is promoting the tour, then contacted UAC/Daystar in Ann Arbor and offered them the date.

As the SUN goes to press information on ticket availability is not yet available, but will be announced shortly.

Dylan hasn't toured since 1966, when he was backed up by a band that later became The Band, although he did perform publicly at several concerts during the past few years, including a tribute/benefit to Woody Guthrie, the Concert for Bangladesh, and his television appearances during the Johnny Cash stage. But they amount to little in the face of this cross-country tour of some of the largest halls and arenas in the US.

Speculation has been mounting in the music industry that the tour may be timed to coincide with Dylan signing a new record contract. On Columbia for years, rumors have it that Dylan is negotiating with Geffen's Elektra-Asylum Records and that a deal will be announced soon. The 30-year old Geffen insists the reports are "total bullshit" and that he is promoting the tour just to "accommodate some friends." Dylan and the Band also recently moved to Malibu, California, near Geffen's base of operations in Los Angeles.

The Band is signed with Capitol Records. They have a new album, MOONDOG MATINEE, a turn towards late 1950's rhythm and blues.

Tickets to the Dylan/Band concert will be priced at S6.00, $7.50 and $8.50.

"UAC/Daystar regrets the unusually high ticket prices," according to a spokesperson. "But we couldn't turn down Dylan, even at that price. We were pressed to gross $100,000 and had to face it."

"The music business is going out of sight," the spokesperson continued. "Last December the Allman Brothers got $27,000. This year the Moody Blues got $75,000 profit. and Dylan's getting $80,000. But for us this concert will not be a moneymaker. UAC/Daystar will get its expenses back plus less than $1.000. And the top ticket price here is less than the national tour average."

The University of Michigan Activities Center/ Daystar promotes most of the large concerts at Hill Auditorium and Crisler Arena. The active decisions on concert promotions are made by the UAC/Daystar Board, which is composed of representatives from three student organizations. Project Community, the Inter-Cooperative Council and the University Activities Center. The actual bookings and physical arrangements tor the concerts are coordinated by Peter Andrews.

Profits from Daystar concerts are distributed to the participating non-profit organizations. Andrews receives a yearly salary for his services.

Bob Begaris, a Detroit promoter, is also involved in coordinating Dylan's appearance, and will receive the same profit as UAC/Daystar for his coordinating efforts.

The nearest other Dylan appearance will be in Toronto, Canada, January 9th and 10th, and in Dayton, Ohio on February 1st.

The appearance of SUN RA at King Pleasure on New Year's will be the Arkestra's first concert here since 1968 within the small. intimate club atmosphere best for Intergalactic travel. Ra has acquired a following in town due to his two appearances at the Blues & Jazz Festivals and a previous gig at the Detroit Rock & Roll Revival in 1969. King Pleasure will suspend its regular three sets per night policy to allow Sun Ra a full night of continual music and message. Tickets will be sold in advance only. Sun Ra and the Arkestra can be heard on several new Impulse albums, including ASTRO BLACK and MAGIC CITY.

Dylan, the Band and Sun Ra. Two more events chalked up to Ann Arbor's musical legend.