Summary
Bob Dylan’s touring band underwent significant changes in June 2024, with two guitarists departing and temporary replacements stepping in—a notable shift in the legendary artist’s long history of evolving lineups.
A Tumultuous Month for Dylan’s Guitar Section
In early June 2024, tensions appeared to surface during Bob Dylan’s tour. The legendary singer seemed visibly perturbed with guitarist Bob Britt, who had been with the band since 2019. Shortly after, Britt stopped appearing for the first three songs of each show—a clear departure from his usual role.
On June 17, 2024, guitarist Doug Lancio—who joined the tour in 2021—left the lineup with no public explanation. Lancio’s departure prompted a swift substitution: jazz guitarist Julian Lage stepped in for seven shows, bringing a distinct musical perspective to Dylan’s sound.
The shake-up continued when Bob Britt quit the band entirely via a Facebook post on June 24, 2024. In his statement, Britt confirmed his exit from the tour, leaving Dylan’s guitar duties in flux.
To fill the gap, temporary replacement Joel Paterson joined the tour. Paterson handled all guitar parts solo, a demanding role that highlighted the band’s reliance on a single guitarist during this transitional period.
Context: Dylan’s Long History with Guitarists
Over 61 years of touring, Bob Dylan has worked with 35 different touring guitarists, each contributing to his ever-evolving live sound. This count excludes guest performers (such as Carlos Santana or Neil Young) and studio-only guitarists (like Bruce Langhorne), focusing solely on musicians who have toured with Dylan as part of his core band.
The June 2024 departures underscore the fluid nature of Dylan’s lineup—a tradition that has seen many guitarists come and go, often with little public fanfare.