Legends Unplugged: Dylan, Harrison, Fogerty, Davis & Taj Mahal at the Palomino Club – February 19, 1987
On a chilly Los Angeles evening, February 19, 1987, the iconic but intimate Palomino Club in North Hollywood transformed into a rock ‘n’ roll time capsule. Taj Mahal and his Graffiti Band, including guitarist Jesse Ed Davis, were delivering their soulful, bluesy set when history quietly sauntered in—with beer in hand and guitars slung low.
A Who’s Who of Surprise Guests 🎸
In the packed room, three legendary figures—George Harrison, Bob Dylan, and John Fogerty—watched uneventfully from the crowd before joining Taj Mahal and Davis onstage. It was a reunion of sorts: Harrison, Dylan, and Davis had famously performed together at the Concert for Bangladesh in 1971 . That night in North Hollywood, the gathering took on a spontaneous new life.
Fogerty’s Return to CCR Glory
For John Fogerty, it was momentous: the night marked his first public performance of a Creedence Clearwater Revival song since their breakup in 1972 . Coaxed by Dylan’s encouragement—“if you don’t do these tunes, people will think Tina Turner wrote it”—Fogerty broke his silence with a fiery rendition of “Proud Mary,” joking afterward, “Tina, eat your heart out.”
A Tribute to Rock ’n’ Roll Roots
The evening flowed through rock’s golden era with cover after cover: Carl Perkins’ “Matchbox” (sung by Harrison), Chuck Berry’s “Johnny B. Goode” (Taj Mahal), Dylan’s own “Watching the River Flow” (with Harrison on vocals), plus crowd favorites like “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Peggy Sue,” “Dizzy Miss Lizzy,” “In the Midnight Hour,” and “Honey Don’t” .
Jesse Ed Davis took center stage notably on “Watching the River Flow”—a song he’d originally recorded with Dylan. Tragically, he would pass away just over a year later .
A Moment of Pure Musical Joy
George Harrison later reflected on the night’s magic:
“Bob rang me… we had a few of these Mexican beers… Bob says, ‘Hey, why don’t we all get up and play?’… every time I got near the microphone, Dylan comes running up and just starts singing this rubbish in my ear, trying to throw me off… but it was really funny.”
The atmosphere was one of joyful camaraderie, musicians freely riffing off each other without a setlist, agenda, or photo op—just pure, unfiltered musicianship.
Why This Night Matters
- An informal reunion of the Concert for Bangladesh alumni—Harrison, Dylan, Davis.
- Fogerty’s bold return to his CCR hits, breaking a 15-year self-imposed boycott .
- A rare Davis appearance, showcasing his Lee’s slide-guitar brilliance before his untimely death .
- An authentic snapshot of music legends jamming not for fame, but for love of the art.
Aftermath & Legacy
Known among collectors and bootleg fans as the “Silver Wilburys”, the recorded audio (and grainy video) from that night circulates as a treasured piece of music lore . Though the Palomino Club would close in 1995, its neon sign now glows at the Valley Relics Museum in Van Nuys—an enduring testament to nights like this .
Conclusion
On February 19, 1987, in a modest North Hollywood club, five titans of music—Dylan, Harrison, Fogerty, Davis, and Taj Mahal—shared a moment of spontaneous brilliance. No arena, no ticket hype, just pure, joyous collaboration. That night remains a beacon of what happens when artistry, friendship, and a few beers collide.
If you’re lucky enough to hear the bootleg, listen for the laughter between riffs, the joy in spontaneous harmony, and the echo of an unforgettable night where legends reminded us all why they fell in love with music in the first place.
Venue Context:
The Palomino Club, established in 1949 and once hailed as “Country Music’s most important West Coast club,” diversified into rock and blues by the ’80s, regularly hosting surprise collaborations like this unforgettable February night .
See Also:
- Current home of the Palomino’s neon sign: Valley Relics Museum, Van Nuys.
- Bootleg recordings of the “Silver Wilburys” session are available among collectors.
Let me know if you’d like a deep dive into any of the performances or individual stories!
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