The following is one of my favorite quotes when it comes to being a Bob Dylan fan:
“There is a thrill in knowing that Bob Dylan is out on the road, a feeling that no matter what is going on elsewhere, that as long as Bob Dylan is doing his thing then the world is at least still turning. […] Knowing that his fans are among you, those of us who move from city to city and country to country following the music.”
Unfortunately, I don't know which book or article this excerpt comes from. If anyone knows, please let me know so I can credit it accordingly. Let me break this quote down a bit.
I think this short section expresses what many of us feel in one way or another.
“[…]no matter what is going on elsewhere, that as long as Bob Dylan is doing his thing then the world is at least still turning.”
We are still living in times of war, the political landscape is moving further to the right and societies are becoming increasingly polarized. No matter what, Bob Dylan is still touring. Bob Dylan is still running his show, even at (as of today) 83 years old. In uncertain times, it is at least another constant in the lives of Bob Dylan fans.
As a Bob Dylan fan, even during the Covid19 pandemic, you could be pretty sure that, if given the opportunity, Bob Dylan would go on tour again as soon as possible.
Knowing that his fans are among you, those of us who move from city to city and country to country following the music.”
This is it. When I travel to a Bob Dylan show, I feel like I’m entering another world. A world with new people, most of whom I only see during this time, but year after year again and again.
I love being on the road and following some of his shows. Meeting with like-minded people. Attending pre-show gatherings. Meeting new like-minded people. Attending after-show gatherings. Travel together from town to town (shout-out to my Bob-travel-companions Rechi, Anthony and Joe!), discover new places, accidentally bumping into his band members who are eating lunch at the same restaurant.
Spending the whole day looking forward to the concert and discovering a new city and constantly reminding ourselves how lucky we are to still be able to do that. To be fans of someone who has no intention of stopping and who regularly graces both Europe and the USA with his presence.
But at the same time knowing that there will be a day when it stops, when there will be no more BD touring, no more traveling, no more pre-show gatherings. But we don’t give it too much attention or even a second thought. We rather enjoy the moment, travelling with other fans and enjoying the feeling to be in the same town as him and his fans.
Does that sound weird? Too much? Most likely it does, for most people. But most likely they go their way, and we go ours. And our way might be leading us into a sunny day in Lisbon, enjoying an ice-cold beer, go for some sailing on the river while anticipating the Bob Dylan show in the evening. Could be worse.
See you down the road!
I have always liked to take a curated approach to following Bob on the road. Partly through the necessities of life (running a small business) but also because I prefer just having one or two shows to enjoy.
As a result, I have "only" seen Bob about 40 times over the years ... unlike some fans I could mention ;)
Geared up for the London shows this November.
See you on the road!