The dust blew across The Great Plaines for thousands of years settling just east of the Mississippi River, forming bluffs that stretch for miles. In the season of Woodstock and the Apollo 11 journey to the moon, a mammoth undertaking had arisen on one of those bluffs. 1969 was the inaugural year of the Mississippi River Festival at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. It became better known as MRF.
Summer Fun at MRF, Page 78
That night, Bob Dylan played in front of an audience for the first time since January 1968 and only the second time since a motorcycle accident almost killed him in 1966. The rumors started the day of the show that Dylan might be there. Bill had a friend whose father was the head of the local musicians union. Everyone who played at the festival had to show their union card, including Dylan. That was how Bill got advance notice.
Bill Brimson on Dylan's surprise visit at MRF, Page 80
