The Seventies

1970 Dylan left Woodstock and moved to MacDougal Street in New York City. In June he received an honorary doctorate of music from Princeton University, New Jersey. Dylan's collection of experimental writings from 1966, 'Tarantula', was finally published in November.

1971 George Harrison persuaded Dylan to appear at a benefit concert for Bangladesh at Madison Square Garden in New York City in August 1971.

1972 In November, Dylan contributed to the soundtrack of the film 'Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid' (1973) directed by Sam Peckinpah. The soundtrack included 'Knockin' on Heaven's Door' which has subsequently been covered by over one hundred recording artists. Dylan also made his acting début in the film as a minor member of Billy's gang.

1973 A collection of Dylan's lyrics and poetry, 'Writings and Drawings', was published.

1974 In January, Dylan and The Band embarked on their first tour in eight years, playing thirty-nine shows in twenty-one cities coast-to-coast in America. A live album documenting this tour, 'Before the Flood', was released.

1975 From autumn 1975 until spring 1976, Dylan toured North America with the 'Rolling Thunder Revue', which included a changing entourage of artists such as the poet Allen Ginsberg, and singers Joni Mitchell and Joan Baez. Footage of the tour was used in the four-hour film, 'Renaldo and Clara', directed by Dylan. Released in 1978, the film met with a mixed response from audience and critics.

1976 In November, Dylan appeared in The Band's 'farewell' concert, which was filmed by Martin Scorsese and released as the film 'The Last Waltz' in 1978.

1978 Dylan embarked on an extensive tour of New Zealand, Australia, Europe, America and Japan.

1979 In the late 1970s, Dylan became deeply interested in developing a more spiritually inspired music based on his evolving studies of the Bible. Two albums rooted in Gospel Music - 'Slow Train Coming' and 'Saved' - were released in 1979 and 1980.