Folk or Rock or Folk Rock: When Acoustic Met Electric from Newport to Woodstock

Abstract

Bob Dylan’s appearance at the Newport festival with electric guitar created a controversy in the folk world that endured for years. But how did it play out on other musicians? Some groups like the Byrds, went electric. Some, like Buffalo Springfield kept a predominantly acoustic sound, despite adding drums and electric base. Some like Simon and Garfunkel did both. this paper explores the exciting creative paths taken between 1965 and 1969 to illustrate the far reach of the Dylan controversy.

NOTE PLEASE group this paper on a panel with TOM Kitts who is presenting on Buffalo Springfield. Tom is aware of my request.