Fans of the legendary songwriter Bob Dylan were left in awe at the artist and are wondering why he still performs live.
Dylan is continuing his Rough and Rowdy Ways tour into September of this year, with many believing the veteran artist would have quietly retired from the stage after his triple bill of Royal Albert Hall performances in London last November. But Dylan is set to continue, and the Outlaw Tour will kick off later this month. Fans of the songwriter took to the r/BobDylan subreddit to discuss why Dylan continues to tour, and people believe they have found a heartbreaking reason as to why he keeps going. One fan asked: “Why does Bob continue to play live? There’s no doubt that some of his best performances ever come from live shows.
“But I continue to wonder, with people describing recent shows as ‘dark’ and ‘hit or miss’ – what’s his continuing artistic motivation as a live performer? Between him speeding and mumbling through the lyrics to songs as if they’re an afterthought to constantly changing the arrangements, and even occasionally skipping songs, what value does he see in these pieces of music? He’s Bob Dylan. He MUST enjoy this, right?”
Fans have since pointed to an interview Dylan gave twenty years ago with 60 Minutes, where he explained the deal he feels to have made with a higher power. He told Ed Bradley a higher power of some kind had been the reason for him continuing to tour so frequently.
Dylan said: “I don’t take it for granted. It goes back to the destiny thing. I made a bargain with it a long time ago, and I’m holding up my end. With the Chief Commander. On this earth and in the world we can’t see.”
Other users have suggested Dylan continues to tour in the hopes of inspiring likeminded musicians and the next generation of songwriters. One user wrote: “I think in recent years his singing has greatly improved live, so I definitely do not agree with the idea that he’s mumbling through songs.
“I especially don’t understand how changing the arrangements or changing the setlists is contrary to him doing what he wants – that seems very much in line with doing what he wants and finding new things that inspire him and new ways of playing with the music instead of just plugging away at the familiar every night!
“But overall, I think he sees himself in the tradition of old blues players who just kept going until they died. Chuck Berry was at it until 90. Muddy Waters only slowed in the last year of his life. John Lee Hooker’s last show was five days before he died in his 80s. He’s out there because he wants to be there, and yeah, I do suspect he gets a kick out of playing with his band, even if (and maybe especially if) it doesn’t line up with casual audiences’ expectations.”
Another has suggested constant performance is the way Dylan feels he can connect with his fans. One user wrote: “In addition to what everyone else has shared I also think about how much of Bob’s communication is his music. He is famously laconic and there are countless stories of him not talking to people he works with or alongside.
“But many of the interactions he does have (at least on record) are through music, where he’ll randomly show up at people’s houses or movie trailers or stay in the studio all night and just play music together. We don’t hear a lot about him sitting around a table talking but he seems to be very comfortable jamming with other people for hours.
“It seems to be where he is most comfortable, where he often seems to be uncomfortable in many other places. Playing music, including on stage, seems to be a place of familiarity and comfort for him, and we all want to be somewhere that makes us feel like we belong.”
