I'm old enough to have been at the Newcastle leg of Bob's "infamous" electric tour - first half acoustic, second with electricity. Someone shouted, "Bobby, (obviously knew him personally) we've come to hear a folk-singer, not a rock-singer!" To which, the response was, "And e've come to hear him, not you!" BD only said one thing all night, I think. It was, "Don't bug me, I'm a sick man." I remember the "controversy" as being blown up by the press out of all proportion. You had to be there. It was a great concert, in at the start of something epochal. It's also why I probably won't be going to see his upcoming shows - too many memories to keep intact!
Dylan remains at the top of my personal hit parade; I don't see him ever being
knocked off.
A long time ago I was an intern at The Village Voice, home of the legendary writer Nat Hentoff, who wrote the liner notes for one of Dylan's albums. I asked him what his favourite was. Don't remember what he said(!), but he definitely didn't like "the newer stuff" circa the 80s, which I personally loved (Tight Connection To My Heart being a particular favourite).
Saw him live twice:
- The first time was in the venerable Scribner's Bookstore where I was working and he was buying.
Sir Bob actually had to step out of my way as I walked by carrying a stack of books.
- The second time was on stage twentysomething years ago, about a million miles away from my seat, a birthday surprise from my wife. He came on after what seemed like ages and rushed through everything, as is his way. I
think the only way to listen to him, as opposed to experience him, is
plugged in.
