There are certain performers in the world of classic rock music who are nothing short of icons. Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger, Pete Townshend, Eric Clapton, people like that. Some would argue that the biggest icon of them all is Bob Dylan. Certainly, Dylan has had as much influence on popular music as anyone else has over the last 40 or so years. While I am not a Dylan fanboy, I certainly like a great deal of his music, and respect the man for what he has accomplished.
While I have seen live most of the greats of classic rock, there are a few glaring exceptions. One of those exceptions is Dylan, and I was looking forward with great anticipation to the concert he was to have played in an outdoor spring training stadium in Phoenix tomorrow night. I use the term "was to have played", because this past Friday, the "great one" cancelled the show. He apparently also cancelled his show the next night in Las Vegas. And the reason for the cancellations? The heat. Wait, let me say that again, the heat. The damn heat, for crying out loud!!
I mean, give me a break. It is no secret that it is brutally hot in Phoenix and Las Vegas during the summer, anyone who has ever been to those places can tell you that, not to mention those of us who have lived here for more than a quarter of a century. Plenty of musicians and entertainers come here in the summertime, anyway, knowing full well that it's going to be a hot night. I saw Paul McCartney in a sweltering Sun Devil Stadium on a hot July night in 1990. A few years before that, I saw The Police at Phoenix Giants Stadium (rip) on a night when the temperature hit 115. They both gave tremendous shows. True, at one point, Sting had to stop and drink about a gallon of water, but it didn't affect his performance. Those were two of the best concerts I have ever enjoyed.
Dylan, on the other hand, is simply an arrogant prima donna. It can't possibly be a surprise to him and his entourage that it is hot in Phoenix in August. What in God's name were they thinking? And don't they care in the slightest about the thousands of fans who were looking forward to the show? Don't we count for anything?
I am beyond disgusted. If the heat in Phoenix (and apparently Vegas) was going to be an issue, then why weren't we placed in a different spot on the tour. It's not hot here all year long. Why not play here in April or October? Why dangle the carrot if you're just going to pull it away? Would it have been so difficult to be the slightest bit considerate and schedule the Phoenix show for a cooler time of year?
It's pretty obvious to me that Dylan just doesn't care. Pretty damn arrogant of him, in my humble opinion. So, I tell you what, Bob. You and I are done. I don't buy another pair of tickets, I don't buy any more of your music. You get no more money from this Arizona desert rat. You obviously don't care about me, and I don't need you. Adios, Bob.
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I took my daughter Ali, an aficionado of just about every kind of music--especially live-- to see Dylan at the Nassau county Coliseum last year, I think. We got seats on the floor--but waaay back. The opening band was recognized by my daughter, and was excellent. Dylan's band was, also, tight and excellent--for a jazz band. Dylan? He sat at the piano. Words were, predictably, incomprehensible, and tone-deaf. And, until the very end, not one song I recognized. Now, I'm not a fan. But, still--not one?
But the biggest problem? No big screen TV's. He started playing, everyone stood--and we couldn't see a blessed thing. So--unrecognizable songs. Zero personality. And no visuals.
It was a nice evening with Ali. And we both can say we were at a Dylan concert. As an evening of entertainment or music-appreciation? We could have done better renting Spinal Tap.
Sorry to be so late responding to this.
I am a huge Dylan fan, and I will say in his defense that he plays an enormous number of dates in plenty of places, and he hardly ever cancels. I was surprised when I got your e-mail about it, and I was surprised to read it here.
Having said that in his defense, I would also say this
Dylan's voice, even for those of us who never minded it much, is long gone. Even the poor singing on this year's album TOGETHER THROUGH LIFE, wouldn't prepare you for how bad his voice is live.
It's easy enough to spend 5 minutes on YouTube listening to a sample of his concerts. It isn't the poor quality of the recordings.
If you were expecting a return to the 60s, or even to the guy who did BLOOD ON THE TRACKS in the 70s or INFIDELS in the 80s, you would be really disappointed.
If you are a fan of his current music, as I am, you still would be surprised.
Dylan has been changing the arrangements on his songs since he "went electric" in the mid-60s. His basic arrangements are either Tex-Mex or roadhouse blues.
The good news, and some of it is really good, is that as Tony remarks, Dylan attracts excellent musicians. The musical arrangements sound great for what they are. And many of those songs sound great in their new arrangements. It just isn't what a lot of his old fans came to hear.
The bad news is that Dylan rasps out portions of lyrics in between gaps in songs. It is hard to know if it is all he can do, or all he cares to do.
I would say that Tony is a little harsh when he says that Dylan sat at the piano. Most nights he stands at the keyboard, and does a lot of old '50s stick when he plays harp, or occasionally plays guitar. (Like many old rock stars who aren't Eric Clapton or Neil Young, Dylan is the worst guitarist his own band.)
I would also say that Dylan's role is more like bandleader. You could say that the band is messing up Dylan's music. But the fact that Dylan did all the arrangements shows you where the responsibility lies.
Finally, when I represented Cyndi Lauper, the thing she resented most was the constant attempts that people made to classify her as an 80s act.
Some artists simply take the money. And Cyndi did too, mostly. Except sometimes she didn't.
And if Cyndi Lauper didn't want to be pigeon-holed, you can imagine how Bob Dylan must feel.
What should he say? That he was dying? Maybe he for once just didn't feel well, and maybe the heat wouldn't help it? What do I know.. All I know is that he has a great amount of respect for the ones understanding and apreciating his work, but he's not gonna try to please them, if it means that he cannot be himself.. I'm sure he had his reasons to cancel but it's not our business.. And you did get your money back I guess? .. Dylan's voice is an emotional piece of aging art! He CAN still sing, but his voice get's more and more 'growled' .. But wow! He's an awesome and cool performer! Check for instance his live performance of his 97' song "Can't wait" out on youtube from 2011 in 'Alcatraz' if you don't get it.. Well I'm sorry for you.
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