Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Bob Dylan Had Some Strong Words For A Fan Who Broke His Strict 'No Photos' Policy At A Vienna Concert

If you're lucky enough to catch Bob Dylan in concert, you'd better be ready to take a mental snapshot, because Dylan has long had a no-photos policy that he takes VERY seriously.

So seriously, in fact, that he stopped a concert in Vienna just to chastise the audience for snapping photos.


In an Instagram video (that Bob Dylan surely wouldn't approve of), Dylan can be seen muttering something about "pictures" into the microphone before stepping backwards and tripping over an amp.



He then returns to the mic to stop the show and tell the audience:

"Take pictures or don't take pictures. We can either play or we can pose, OK?"


Dylan then reportedly left the stage and left the band alone to play and instrumental version "Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues", which has been his finale throughout the tour.



According to The Rolling Stone, Dylan has had a no-photos policy in place during his concerts for years.

Before every concert, audiences are informed of the rules, and anyone who tries to take a photo during the show is approached by security guards.


Of course, this won't stop everybody, resulting in the on-stage drama from the Vienna concert. Dylan's short admonishment also happened to be the first time he's spoken directly to the crowd in roughly two years.

Though he used to introduce the band, he's recently taken to appearing on stage only to the sing his songs before leaving.



Photographer Jerry Schatzberg, who's worked closely with Dylan during several important moments in the singer's life, notes that the iconic folk singer is notoriously private, and "what Dylan wants, Dylan gets."

"I fell in love with his music, as everybody else did. And it just evolved. And we got along personally… He's not very open and cordial to the press."
"He doesn't like being asked questions and they're always asking the same ones. It's just not him. But he knew he had to put up with it for a while. I'm sure he still does."

Though demands may seem strange, Schatzberg insists they all come from a real, human place:

"In my way of thinking, and maybe I met too many people in my life, I don't find him so inaccessible. He wasn't inaccessible to me. Sure, I was intimidated at first… But he's just a real person with an extraordinary talent."

Reactions to Dylan's outburst were mixed, with some people online standing up for the 77-year-old icon, and others lambasting his grumpy attitude:





Whether or not you like the policy, if you're at Bob Dylan's concert, you'd better do what Bob Dylan asks or before you know it the concert will come to an abrupt end. Remember that!

More from Entertainment/music

Country Singer Gavin Adcock went on a drunken rant over Beyonce's "Cowboy Carter" success.
Danielle Del Valle/Getty Images; Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Country singer rants over Beyoncé album

Country singer Gavin Adcock became the title of his next album, “Own Worst Enemy,” after going on an unhinged rant about the legitimacy of Beyoncé's Grammy-winning and record-breaking Cowboy Carter in the country music genre.

Adcock, whose upcoming album is set for release next month, was filmed during a live performance last weekend, complaining that Beyoncé and her album are not “country music.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Dionne Warwick; Tiny Chef
Astrida Valigorsky/Getty Images; @ToonHive/X

Dionne Warwick Is Ready To Go To War With Nickelodeon Over 'Tiny Chef' Cancellation

You know your campaign against a show's cancellation is achieving widespread attention when you get people like venerated singer Dionne Warwick advocating for you.

Nickelodeon's The Tiny Chef Show was recently cancelled, much to the dismay of its viewers and creators. It was also a genuinely surprising decision, since the show has won an Emmy.

Keep ReadingShow less
Woman relaxing in sunhat and sunglasses
Photo by Jordan Bauer on Unsplash

People Explain Which 'Small Luxuries' They Can't Live Without

Many of us have committed to being fairly financially frugal and not overspending on silly, unnecessary things.

That is to say, sometimes, it's fun to splurge on something one time to see what it's like to experience that small luxury.

Keep ReadingShow less
two women in emotional distress seated on couch
Ben White on Unsplash

People Who've Experienced Grief Share The Most Tone-Deaf Things They've Heard

Grief, loss, trauma are all part of life. But for most people, the emotions and reactions that go with them are difficult to witness.

So they rely on platitudes to fill any holes in conversation. That's rarely a good idea.

Keep ReadingShow less
Donald Trump
Mehmet Eser/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images

Trump Demands 'Boss Of AT&T' Fix Equipment After Failed Conference Call In Bizarre Meltdown

When most of us have technical difficulties, we contact tech support or customer service.

But if you're President of the United States, just ranting on social media—then having your White House Press Secretary post a screenshot of your post on a social media platform people actually use—is apparently the answer.

Keep ReadingShow less