Bob Dylan Debuts Bo Diddley’s “I Can Tell” in Memphis

Bob Dylan, photo by Alberto Cabello from Vitoria Gasteiz

On Friday, June 27, Willie Nelson’s traveling Outlaw Music Festival rolled into Memphis, Tenn., for a staging at Radians Amphitheater. Following sets from Tami Neilson, Trampled by Turtles and Nathaniel Rateliff, and preceding the show-closing finale of the Shotgun Willie and his Family band, Bob Dylan stepped onstage for another set of his favorite songs from his own catalog and his influences. In keeping with the strikingly adventurous spirit that’s reinvigorated his setlist on the 2025 tour so far–including decade-plus bust-outs of “The Times They Are A-Changin,’” “Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues” and more–Dylan’s arrival in the birthplace of Rock ‘n’ Roll included a tribute to one of the genre’s earliest innovators in a debut cover of Bo Diddley’s “I Can Tell.”

Dylan kicked off his performance with the fiery declarations of “Gotta Serve Somebody,” his reliable opener for all of his Outlaw Festival summer tour dates. After the intro, the icon quickly lit up his fresh treatment of Diddley’s rock and roll standard, drawn from his 1962 self-titled record. Dylan’s rendering was on Friday, and again in his Saturday set in Maryland Heights, Mo., was relatively faithful to Diddley’s original, leaning way back on a shuffling backbeat to anchor the track in a commanding stomp, but with a touch more boogie flavor from the romping guitars and his exaggerated vocals.

Dylan’s set on Friday continued with staples like “Forgetful Heart,” “To Ramona,” “All Along the Watchtower,” “Desolation Row” and a crowd-pleasing finale of “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right.” The artist will return to the spotlight tomorrow, June 1, with the next Outlaw Music Festival stop at El Reno, Okla.’s Lucky Star Amphitheater. Find tickets and more information at blackbirdpresents.com.