Producer for Dylan and Cash dies at 83

NASHVILLE - Reuters

Veteran studio musician Bob Johnston (L) had worked with Bob Dylan on several albums and Johnny Cash’s live ‘At Folsom Prison.’ He died aged 83.

Bob Johnston, who produced Bob Dylan’s celebrated “Blonde on Blonde” album and Johnny Cash’s live “At Folsom Prison” in a career spanning more than 50 years, has died at the age of 83. 

The producer died on Aug. 14 in a Nashville hospice, said Charlie McCoy, a veteran studio musician who often worked with him. 

Johnston worked with Dylan on several albums in Nashville, most notably “Blonde on Blonde.” The 1966 album’s opening track, “Rainy Day Women #12  35,” achieved notoriety for its repeated phrase: “Everybody must get stoned.” 

Rolling Stone magazine ranks “Blonde on Blonde” as the ninth greatest album of all time. 

McCoy, 74, said Johnston’s priority was making sure musicians had fun. The music, including “Rainy Day Women,” reflected that, he said. 

“All that noise you hear on it, it was happening as he recorded. He wanted us to have a party. We were shouting and screaming the whole time,” said McCoy, who played the trumpet and more in countless sessions for Johnston. 

Johnston had been working with Dylan in New York in 1965 and the young singer/songwriter’s appearance in Tennessee spurred interest in Nashville and created opportunities for younger musicians, as top session players were already booked solid, McCoy said. 

Johnston also produced Simon and Garfunkel’s hit 1966 album “Sounds of Silence,” and worked with other musicians including Leonard Cohen, the Byrds, Flatt and Scruggs and Marty Robbins.