Jakob Dylan
Jakob Dylan is to the Wallflowers what Trent Reznor is to Nine Inch Nails and John Fogerty was to Creedence Clearwater Revival.
The leaders of such groups are the band.
The Wallflowers, who will perform Saturday at Sound Waves at the Hard Rock, have had musicians come and go, but Dylan remains.
"No lineup has ever been on two albums in a row," Dylan said while calling from Los Angeles. "I'm not going to apologize about that. It was always my band.
"People ask me about the new members of the band, but I'm never asked about the former members of the Wallflowers," he continued. "It's always been my band. You shouldn't expect to be in the same band with guys in your 20s and your 50s. It's just not normal. You're not in the same band for that long unless you're making a lot of money. There are exceptions like with U2. But most bands that hang on with the same lineup play the old hits and they hate each other."
Dylan, 55, has three albums to his credit since 2005. The son of the most legendary songwriter in rock history picks his spots and crafts songs when he's home.
"Some people write on the road better than others," he said. "When I'm on tour, my brain is focused on performing. I also don't feel the need to make records unless I have something to say. I have enough songs."
Dylan will draw from seven albums when the Wallflowers perform at the Hard Rock.
The latest album, "Exit Wounds," is the first project crafted by Dylan after hitting the mid-century mark.
A number of aging songwriters, such as Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen and Dylan's father, are releasing fine work during the twilight of their careers.
Bob Dylan's "Rough and Rowdy Ways" — which was created just before Dylan reached octogenarian status — is one of his greatest albums.
"I'm not surprised by that," the younger Dylan said. "It's wisdom through experience. There's no reason why you can't get better as a songwriter. However, rock and roll is a young man's game.
"There's nothing like that youthful exuberance you have as a 20-year-old," he said. "That never happens again. That's the privilege of that age. You don't know anything yet. That's why some of the most exciting music comes from kids who are so young."
While coming of age during the Reagan era, there was no career path but music for Dylan.
" It's no secret how I grew up," he said. "I grew up with kids who were creative back in the '80s. My friends took guitar and piano lessons. But their parents eventually told them to focus on something serious. I never got that memo. I've been fortunate enough to do what I love. It's so significant. Kids dream about becoming musicians. I don't think there are any 8-year olds who dream of working in a tower. It would be a shame to go through life and never try to do what you're passionate about."
Dylan is an ardent music fan with an extensive record collection. That was evident when he directed his compelling passion project, "Echo in the Canyon," a documentary on the vital Laurel Canyon music scene.
His chat with Tom Petty, which was the late recording artist's last interview, is revealing. Petty came across as the ultimate music aficionado when Dylan asked him about the impact the Byrds had on him in 1965.
"Tom never lost that adolescent spark when it came to music," Dylan said. "We were so fortunate to be able to speak with him since he spoke as a student of the music, not one of the giants of the industry. It was fun speaking with him in a guitar shop for two hours after it closed and having him mess around with guitars and amps."
Petty never went through the motions onstage or during interviews.
"It's true. Since some people do, but he didn't," Dylan said. "I remember being on the road with Tom and the Heartbreakers. I watched Tom rest up against an amp and just close his eyes and shake his head to the music. Tom was never ambivalent, bored or pandered to an audience. He was locked in onstage. They don't make them like Tom anymore."
There were rumors that Lionel Richie was going to return to Atlantic City in 2025.
The former Commodore last played the shore when he sold out Hard Rock's Etess Arena in June of 2022.
Richie returned to the area Saturday for an intimate show at Philadelphia's Union Transfer. The 75-year-old was terrific belting out the hits for 90 minutes.
The American Idol judge is primarily on a European tour for the remainder of the year. Hopefully Richie returns to Atlantic City in 2026.
