:::::: 12.16.97: Beck opens for Bob Dylan ::::::

On December 16th, Beck (sans band) opened up for Bob Dylan with a great half hour acoustic set which included songs like "Waitin' For a Train", "Cold Brains", "One Foot In The Grave", "Dead Melodies", "Girl Dreams", "Leave Me On The Moon", "I Get Lonesome", and "Lampshade". Bob Dylan played 5 nights in a row at the El Rey and had a different opening act each night. Other openers included Jewel, Sheryl Crow, and Willie Nelson.

:::::: 11.19.97: Beck Plays El Rey Country Show ::::::

Inspired by his incredible Farm Aid performance, Beck did a one time only Country/Western gig at the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles on the 19th of November. Beck played with Little Feat keyboardist Billy Payne, pedal steel guitarist Jay Dee Maness, and 19 year old fiddler whiz Gabe Witcher, as well as Smokey Hormel on guitar, Justin Meldal-Johnsen on bass, and Joey Waronker on drums.

:::::: 11.14.97: Beck featured in Tibetan Freedom Disc and Film ::::::

After 2 incredibly successful Tibetan Freedom Benefit concerts, we now have a 3 CD set courtesy of Grand Royal/Capitol featuring selected tracks from selected artists at both concerts. "Asshole" by Beck appears on the 3rd CD. Beck also is featured in the film Free Tibet, which has made a limited run in theaters, and should pop up on video fairly soon.

:::::: 10.13.97: Beck plays FARM AID 1997 ::::::

After appearing in the "Jack-Ass" video, Willie Nelson coerced Beck to perform at Farm Aid '97 on October 4th in Tinley Park, Il. In true country/western spirit, Beck took to the stage with backup band mainstays Joey Waronker, Justin Meldal-Johnsen, Smokey Hormel, PLUS Little Feat keyboardist Billy Payne, pedal steel guitarist Jay Dee Maness, and 19 year old fiddler whiz Gabe Witcher. Beck was also joined by Willie for one song (Peach Pickin' Time in Georgia by Jimmie Rodgers).

:::::: 09.04.97: Beck wins 5 VMA's ::::::

Beck pulled in a whopping 5 awards at the 1997 MTV Video Music Awards. Beck also performed "The New Pollution" and got accosted by some guy during the pre-show.

Best Male Video - Devils Haircut
Best Direction in a Video - The New Pollution
Best Choreography in a Video - The New Pollution
Best Art Direction - The New Pollution
Best Editing - Devils Haircut

:::::: 08.02.97: Beck on Space Ghost! ::::::

Beck appeared on "Space Ghost: From Coast to Coast" Midnight on August 1st. If you didn't catch the show, you missed out! Beck fell asleep with a lampshade (erm.."helmet") on his head!

:::::: 04.05.97: Allen Ginsberg Passes Away ::::::

On the morning of April 5th, the amazing Allen Ginsberg died of cancer soon after he learned he had acquired the disease. Ginsberg, as some may have known, was scheduled to recite poetry for an MTV Unplugged while featured artists Beck, Bob Dylan, and Paul McCartney played back-up music.

:::::: 02.26.97: Beck Rocks the Grammys ::::::



Beck was nominated for 3 Grammys. He took in two! Best Alternative Performance and Best Male Rock Performance. He performed a scorchin' "Where It's At"!

:::::: 01.15.97: Beck drops by the Rosie O'Donnell show ::::::



After weeks of uttering such gems as "Who the hell is Beck?", Rosie O'Donnell was greeted by an impromptu appearance by grizzled out Beck. A tiny interview ensued and Rosie learned new phrases such as "mad phat" and "droppin' science" from our bearded hero.

:::::: 01.12.97: Beck Celebrates Howard Stern's Birthday! ::::::



Beck performed on Howard Stern's Birthday Bash in January. The show was filled with transvestites, midgets... you know, Beck's typical crowd. He performed "Where It's At" and "Novacane".

:::::: 01.11.97: Beck Performs on SNL ::::::



Beck appeared on Saturday Night Live on January 11th, not only performing two songs ("Where It's At" and "Devils Haircut"), but ACTED in a skit about medical marijuana with host Kevin Spacey and guest Michael Palin.