The mid-1990s was the last heyday for Bob Dylan fanzines. The best and latest Dylan news, analysis, history, and rumors were printed on the pages of Homer, the slut, and The Telegraph, Isis, Dignity, On the Tracks, and Look Back. Although those zines had unpredictable publication timelines, they had loyal subscribers, readers, and contributors. Some zines operated long-distance telephone hotlines that fans called for the latest Dylan setlist or tour-adjacent gossip. Others printed books of Dylan history and analysis that were maybe too high-minded or just too lengthy for the fanzine. One of the zines had a robust merchandise operation and sold hard-to-find Dylan memorabilia in catalogs, listed beside zine-branded shirts and hats. A few of the fanzines made it as far as having their own website.
The Rumors Move Online
As the internet became more available, Dylan fans increasingly moved their conversations online. Some of the early Dylan-themed fan websites offered message boards for thei…