http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/readings/chronicles.shtml

Starting on Friday 7th October at 9.15pm in 8 parts and read by Sean Penn.

Are you sitting comfortably children? Then I'll begin..............

Episode one: DYLAN SIGNS
Episode one does not commence with the beginning of Bob Dylan's career (we come to that later) but at the start of his recording career as he signs to both Columbia Records for recording and to Leeds Music for his song-writing, the latter for an advance of one hundred dollars!

We meet Lou Levy the top man at Leeds Music who was married to one of The Andrews Sisters and had been recommended to Bob by Columbia Records. Lou who had dealt with Al Martino and Nat King Cole could never quite get to grips with Dylan's songs and later at the advice of his new manager Al Grossman, Dylan bought himself out of the contract for one thousand dollars.

We meet John Hammond the man who signed him to Columbia Records. Hammond was a great talent scout and had been responsible for signing great artistes like Billie Holiday, Benny Goodman, Count Basie, Lionel Hampton and had recently brought Pete Seeger to Columbia.

And we meet the great blues artiste Robert Johnson whose record Hammond had given him on the day of the signing.