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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.
Scary moment: 77-year-old @BobDylan taking a tumble over an amplifier, during a concert in Vienna on Tuesday. Than… https://t.co/KD8AzVqwcc— HarryHew (@HarryHew) 1555532674.0
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.
@RollingStone Bob is the man. For real.— omgplease🤠 (@omgplease🤠) 1555585565.0
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.
@stereogum banging on the piano YOU'VE GOTTA LOTTA NERVE over and over until the last person leaves— Dan Lacey (@Dan Lacey) 1555639218.0
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.
@RollingStone @1071_thepeak I saw him 20+ yrs ago in Syracuse and he didn’t engage the crowd at all. Not one word… https://t.co/sr8v4HJIGD— Bdawg (@Bdawg) 1555549183.0
@doublemacc @RollingStone Ugh. I really wish the folks holding his family hostage & forcing him to continue touring… https://t.co/qQ3yKBMb1y— John Lyndon (@John Lyndon) 1555533098.0
@stereogum Get off my lawn, I mean stage. These damn millennials and their chitchat clickclacks!!! https://t.co/wZEnaYb3TQ— Chester “Chip” White (@Chester “Chip” White) 1555554290.0
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."
bob dylan: booo everyone: https://t.co/JfxIdmQi5K— eмιly (applying for mutuals) (@eмιly (applying for mutuals)) 1555382981.0
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:
@people I love Bob Dylan more then ever! I'am so tired for going to concerts and instead of being able to see the p… https://t.co/5HWh7YG6ZE— Dawn Harris-Young (@Dawn Harris-Young) 1555635077.0
@people They paid for a show, not a lecture. 😑— Sassy Stormy (@Sassy Stormy) 1555635091.0
@people 🎶we are not in the 1950’s. It’s all about technology and social media Dylan. Just play til you can’t play… https://t.co/Wkg6NAqa6E— AldahriIi (@AldahriIi) 1555683257.0
@RollingStone So right— ML (@ML) 1555533217.0
@RollingStone Never meet/talk to your idol!— Melanie O'Reilly (@Melanie O'Reilly) 1555532152.0
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!