johnny winter

Bob Dylan became the first person in the 115-year history of the award to win a Nobel for songwriting, and, said the Swedish Academy in the announcement: "For having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition." Let the scholars and professional poets throw themselves from the tower on this news, which came like a new morning of delight: fresh, charming and, like the man who received it, stunning though not wholly unexpected.

Lost in the smoky haze of 1960s history is the Laurel Pop Festival held in July 1969, which was attended by 15,000 fans and offered an incredible lineup of some of the biggest pop performers of the year.

Baltimore concerts and nightlife for Jan. 3-8