‘Like A Rolling Stone’, The Rolling Stones’ Live Take on the Bob Dylan Classic (1995)

By Marcelo Sonaglioni on March 1, 2025

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Rolling Stones songs: Like a Rolling Stone (live)

You used to ride on chrome horse with your diplomat/ Who carried on his shoulder a Siamese cat…

Written by: Bob Dylan
Recorded: Live at Brixton Academy, London, England, July 19 1995
*Data taken from Martin Elliott’s book THE ROLLING STONES COMPLETE RECORDING SESSIONS 1962-2012

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**More about Like a Rolling Stone by The Rolling Stones**

*By Marcelo Sonaglioni

rolling stones songs like a rolling stone live 1995

Bob Dylan shook things up in June 1965 when he recorded Like a Rolling Stone, breaking an unspoken rule of the music industry. Until then, no single had ever been over six minutes long, but Dylan didn’t care about radio-friendly norms. More than just its length, the song hit listeners like a lightning bolt, challenging their musical expectations.

From the moment Al Kooper’s haunting organ intro kicks in, followed by that hypnotic chord progression, you know you’re in for something different. And then there’s the chorus—“How does it feel…”—a line dripping with defiance and raw emotion. The opening track of his album Highway 61 Revisited didn’t just become a hit; it became a rock revolution.

Over the decades, its influence has been massive, inspiring legends like Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Winter, John Cougar Mellencamp, and even Green Day. It’s not just a song; it’s an anthem, a challenge, a moment in music history that refuses to fade.

The Rolling Stones had always held Like a Rolling Stone in high regard, often playing it privately during warm-ups before hitting the stage. Despite their admiration, they had never performed it live—partly because of the obvious name connection, which made them a bit uneasy. While many assumed their name came from Dylan’s song, it was actually inspired by Muddy Waters’ Rollin’ Stone. Still, they hesitated to bring the song into their setlist.

That changed on July 19, 1995, when they finally took the plunge and played it live at Brixton Academy. It was a bold move, and the moment felt special, as if they were paying tribute to Dylan in their own way. A rare moment for the Stones, stepping into Dylan’s world while putting their own spin on it.
Eight days later, on July 28, the very Bob Dylan would join the band onstage when they performed the song at the Espace Grammont, Montpellier, France (he would join the band again onstage foe the song during their performances in Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro in 1998)

Reflecting on the performance and their Stripped album, Mick Jagger told Rolling Stone‘s Jann Wenner (December 14, 1995), “And we got a few unusual tracks going on, which is always good for a live record—not original songs but reworked. I think Like a Rolling Stone was unusual to do. We’ve never done a Dylan song.”

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