Al Kooper

Lore & Background

Al Kooper's role in the 1966 Blonde on Blonde sessions was as an organist, despite being primarily a guitarist. The source notes that on "One of Us Must Know (Sooner or Later)", Kooper was playing organ, and that he was "more a guitarist than an organist". This session took place in New York before Dylan moved the recording to Nashville. The source does not mention Kooper having any other involvement with the Hawks, The Band, or any group called "The Eagles Band".

In Their Own Story

In a New York studio in January 1966, Al Kooper sat at the organ for the recording of "One of Us Must Know (Sooner or Later)". Though he was more comfortable with a guitar in his hands, Kooper played organ on the track, backing Bob Dylan alongside drummer Bobby Gregg, bassist Rick Danko (or Bill Lee), guitarist Robbie Robertson, and pianist Paul Griffin. The session was part of the difficult early recordings for what would become Blonde on Blonde, before Dylan moved the project to Nashville.

Reader's Guide

Al Kooper's known contribution from the source is limited to one recording session. He played organ on Bob Dylan's "One of Us Must Know (Sooner or Later)" in January 1966 in New York. The source describes him as "more a guitarist than an organist" at the time. The other Hawks members (Rick Danko, Robbie Robertson) were present, but Garth Hudson, Richard Manuel, and Levon Helm were not at this session. The source does not provide any information about Kooper's career before or after this session, nor does it connect him to any band called "The Eagles Band".

Did You Know?

• Al Kooper played organ on Bob Dylan's 'One of Us Must Know (Sooner or Later)' despite being more of a guitarist than an organist at the time.
• The session for 'One of Us Must Know' took place in New York in January 1966, before Dylan moved recording to Nashville.
• On that session, Kooper was joined by drummer Bobby Gregg, bassist Rick Danko (or Bill Lee), guitarist Robbie Robertson, and pianist Paul Griffin.
• The source does not mention Al Kooper having any connection to a band called 'The Eagles Band'.