THREE RECENT ANNIVERSARIES

Coleman Hawkins, found at www.old-radio.info, painter uncredited

First, SONNY KNIGHT, whose recording of 'Confidential' - written by Dorinda Morgan - Dylan has reached for more than once (including right at the very start of things, in 1956, on the extant recording made at a custom studio in St.Paul MN that Christmas Eve with two summer-camp friends, Larry Kegan and Howard Rutman: see The Bob Dylan Encyclopedia paperback page 205). His real name was Joseph Coleman Smith, and he was born 75 years ago - on 17 May 1934, in Maywood, Illinois. He died on 5 September 1998 in Maui, Hawaii.

Second, and nothing particularly to do with Bob Dylan really - just a favourite of mine - is another person named Coleman, tenor sax genius COLEMAN HAWKINS. Coleman Randolph Hawkins died 40 years ago - on May 19, 1969 and lies in the Bronx's Woodlawn Cemetery. He'd been born in Saint Joseph, Missouri 105 years ago this November.

And third, one of the few singers who can really make cover versions of Dylan songs pleasurable (even when he mangles the words), JOE COCKER, born 65 years ago in Sheffield, Yorkshire, on May 20, 1944.