NEWS > ENTERTAINMENT > BOB DYLAN BECOMES A ROLLING STONE IN NEW JERSEY

BOB DYLAN BECOMES A ROLLING STONE IN NEW JERSEY

August 16 2009

Long Branch, NJ – Bob Dylan’s career has undoubtedly been one of the most popular and influential in the history of popular music. His musical legacy and his social relevance have inspired generation after generation of musicians and firmly established
the singer not only in the realm of popular music but also in the annals of history. That influence was officially acknowledged in 2008 when the singer and writer was awarded a special version of Pulitzer Prize, firmly placing him alongside the legend who helped influence his work.

As popular as Dylan has been though not everyone has been influence by the singer, something he found with great embarrassment on a rain-soaked night in New Jersey. It was there that the singer was mistaken for a homeless man and was picked up by police. Though being hooded, wandering through the rain, and peering into people’s houses, Dylan was released after a brief dialogue with police that affirmed his identity. Still, the inability for police and the public to recognize one of the most influential personalities of the 20th century has shown many how far his influence has fallen.

“It’s a standard of respect and sophistication to cite Dylan as an influence but for
many that is really all it is. While there are still some hipster groups that look to Dylan
as a kind of patron saint the truth is his genuine influence has declined in recent years, That is no doubt due to his decreased output but it is also partially a result of him being very old and thus of little interest to younger generations,” said Scrape TV Music analyst Dylan Chambers. “That isn’t a comment on his music necessarily or even on the younger generations. Eventually, on a long enough timeline, everything evens out and influence and creativity simply can’t keep up with the demands or interests of evolving generations. He has been in the game for almost 50 years.”

Dylan’s most famous song, ‘Like a Rolling Stone’ depicted the decline of a once influential person to the level of ordinary, something that now appears to have happened to the once omnipresent singer himself.

“I doubt there’s anyone who grew up with Dylan expected him to someday be wandering around in the rain staring into people’s windows. That really isn’t in line with the persona that he created or the musical legacy that he has created but definitely falls in line with the reality; a weird, rich old man with not much else to do,” continued Chambers. “There has always been debate as to how important Dylan really is, at least from a musical perspective. In his prime he produced quality music but that was really only a short period of time. Beyond that people have cited him as influential and he has been able to ride that for years. It’s clear now though that his presence has dulled with age. Of course I’m sure no police officer would have expected to see Bob Dylan wandering around in the rain peeping into people’s houses so a case of mistaken identity may be totally natural.”

Dylan has created multiple albums in recent years but has not had a mainstream hit since the 1973 single ‘Knocking on Heaven’s Door’. It’s not clear yet what connection that dearth of hits and his new penchant for being a peeping tom might have.

“There are all kinds of bands and singers, even influential ones, who have not had a real hit in many years but very few of them are caught wandering around aimlessly. The one thing that can be said for Dylan though is that he was immediately released once they found out who he was. That shows that even law enforcement has a healthy respect for his music and his legacy. Gavin Rossdale likely won’t have that kind of respect when he eventually starts doing creepy things,” continued Chambers. “Of course the question of what this will add to Dylan’s legacy still has to be answered. Does he rebound from this and just continue to make music or does he pursue this new venue and stalking people all over the world? Either way, its likely young people won’t take notice.”

Long Branch police have assured the people of the city that any non-famous peeping toms will not be released as readily as Dylan.

Samantha Dryden, Entertainment Correspondent

NEWS > ENTERTAINMENT > BOB DYLAN BECOMES A ROLLING STONE IN NEW JERSEY