One curiosity that's come to my attention as a consequence of A Complete Unknown being made is the mystery of Elston Gunn(n)'s missing third n.
After hearing about the film, I read the book it's based on, Elijah Wald's 'Dylan Goes Electric!' Wald mentions, as you have on your show, that early in his career, Dylan went by the name Elston Gunnn, with three n's at the end. Other sources have it spelled this way, too.
However, recently I've been rereading Chronicles: Volume 1, and Dylan himself styles it as Elston Gunn with two n's.
This has got me wondering whether, over the years, Dylan has become embarrassed by the sheer youthful panache of the third n, and is seeking to rewrite history.
The movie doesn't come out where I live until late February, but I'm hoping the plot goes into detail to help clear up this mystery.
Ha no it’s not addressed in the movie but I think it definitely had 3 n’s originally. I read an interview with Bobby Vee where he was talking about it too. I bet you’re right, Bob Dylan was downplaying his youthful panache and eventually just let there be two n’s. In any event, a great detail to think about.
That's a shame. Feels like the filmmakers are missing the opportunity to offer a little something for the heads. Perhaps Bob's dropping of the extra n is just another puzzle he's setting to confound us all.
In Chronicles, Bob goes into detail about choosing the name Bob Dylan. Surely, there's gotta be a list written in a notebook of his from 1960 where he's added Bob Dylannn as an option.
It's a great winter read. The first time I read it, I didn’t realise how much of the book is an elaborate ruse, full of cryptic clues, wordplay, and invented characters.
I’m moving on to ‘Tarantula’ next. Wondering if it’ll make more sense to me now than it did when I was sixteen (“I was so much older then…etc.”).
I am Looking forward to listening to this. I saw it yesterday and had very low expectations and actually loved it. Although it probably took some liberties I thought it was well written and lots of nuggets for music history/music in 1960s buffs. (Plus, I mean Timothee can do no wrong-ha) Extra bonus was seeing it with my dad who saw Dylan In New Haven in 1968. anyway, I obviously needed someone to discuss this movie with too - as it stirred up a lot in me too. 😃I can’t wait to hear your take.
One curiosity that's come to my attention as a consequence of A Complete Unknown being made is the mystery of Elston Gunn(n)'s missing third n.
After hearing about the film, I read the book it's based on, Elijah Wald's 'Dylan Goes Electric!' Wald mentions, as you have on your show, that early in his career, Dylan went by the name Elston Gunnn, with three n's at the end. Other sources have it spelled this way, too.
However, recently I've been rereading Chronicles: Volume 1, and Dylan himself styles it as Elston Gunn with two n's.
This has got me wondering whether, over the years, Dylan has become embarrassed by the sheer youthful panache of the third n, and is seeking to rewrite history.
The movie doesn't come out where I live until late February, but I'm hoping the plot goes into detail to help clear up this mystery.
Ha no it’s not addressed in the movie but I think it definitely had 3 n’s originally. I read an interview with Bobby Vee where he was talking about it too. I bet you’re right, Bob Dylan was downplaying his youthful panache and eventually just let there be two n’s. In any event, a great detail to think about.
That's a shame. Feels like the filmmakers are missing the opportunity to offer a little something for the heads. Perhaps Bob's dropping of the extra n is just another puzzle he's setting to confound us all.
In Chronicles, Bob goes into detail about choosing the name Bob Dylan. Surely, there's gotta be a list written in a notebook of his from 1960 where he's added Bob Dylannn as an option.
Definitely realizing its time to read chronicles again
It's a great winter read. The first time I read it, I didn’t realise how much of the book is an elaborate ruse, full of cryptic clues, wordplay, and invented characters.
I’m moving on to ‘Tarantula’ next. Wondering if it’ll make more sense to me now than it did when I was sixteen (“I was so much older then…etc.”).
I am Looking forward to listening to this. I saw it yesterday and had very low expectations and actually loved it. Although it probably took some liberties I thought it was well written and lots of nuggets for music history/music in 1960s buffs. (Plus, I mean Timothee can do no wrong-ha) Extra bonus was seeing it with my dad who saw Dylan In New Haven in 1968. anyway, I obviously needed someone to discuss this movie with too - as it stirred up a lot in me too. 😃I can’t wait to hear your take.
I saw it with my dad too and he saw Bob at Newport in ‘64 and ‘65 - both of the shows featured in the movie. Was very cool.