Flaggin Down The Double Es - Ray Padgett Newsletter - G.E.Smith recalls . . . . . .

G.E. Smith Recalls the First Years of Bob Dylan's Never Ending Tour

"He just did whatever he wanted, and he knew that I would follow him”

"G.E. Smith was the first guitarist of the Never Ending Tour, and the first bandleader too. He came aboard from his longtime gig at Saturday Night Live musical director, where he could often be seen with his distinctive blonde ponytail playing in and out of commercials in the '80s and '90s (he made a cameo earlier this month on the 50th anniversary special). In fact, he remained with SNL his entire time on the road with Dylan, flying back and forth to New York along with drummer Chris Parker, who I interviewed a few years ago.

I’ve been wanting to talk with G.E. for ages, and a few weeks back we finally connected for an in-depth interview all about his time on the road with Dylan. He was only there for a few years, 1988-1990, but in many ways he set the template for the entire Never Ending Tour to come (though, as he notes, they didn’t call it that). These days he continues to perform all around the world; next up are a few Northeast dates alongside another former interviewee, Larry Campbell, in their “Masters of the Telecaster” concert series.

Here’s my conversation with G.E. Smith, edited and condensed."

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