August 2008
WHIRL Cover Story
A More Perfect Union
American Eagle Outfitters’ inaugural New American Music Union
puts Pittsburgh on the nation’s summer music festival map
By Katie Mavrich
That old adage, “the man, the myth, the legend” just may have been coined with Bob Dylan in mind. As the man, he has written 465 songs, released 50 albums, and put on an amazing number of performances in the last six decades. Last year’s film release of I’m Not There, featured acting icons Richard Gere, Cate Blanchett, and Heath Ledger portraying Dylan in mythic proportion. The elusive Dylan rarely grants interviews, save for the occasional chat with Rolling Stone Magazine’s publisher Jann Wenner, and images of him are nearly impossible to obtain: No photographers are allowed to shoot his performances, and press photos are scarce, contributing to his legend. In 2002, two years after he penned the song “Things Have Changed” for Wonderboys, which was filmed in Pittsburgh, I saw him in concert at Kent State University. High up in my seats at the Kent State Auditorium, I couldn’t contain my excitement — I was in the same room with Bob Dylan. Bob Dylan!
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