Will Bob Dylan snub them? Nobel panel gives up knockin’ on Dylan’s door

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7. Obama on Dylan...

Back in February Bob Dylan performed “The Times They Are A-Changin’” for President Obama and the First Family as part of a celebration for music from the Civil Rights era. That was a while ago, sure, but we just got Obama’s impressions on it now via a Rolling Stone cover story, impressions that might make you want to revisit Dylan’s visit.

Here’s what I love about Dylan: He was exactly as you’d expect he would be. He wouldn’t come to the rehearsal; usually, all these guys are practicing before the set in the evening. He didn’t want to take a picture with me; usually all the talent is dying to take a picture with me and Michelle before the show, but he didn’t show up to that. He came in and played “The Times They Are A-Changin’.” A beautiful rendition. The guy is so steeped in this stuff that he can just come up with some new arrangement, and the song sounds completely different. Finishes the song, steps off the stage… comes up, shakes my hand, sort of tips his head, gives me just a little grin, and then leaves… That was our only interaction with him. And I thought: That’s how you want Bob Dylan, right? You don’t want him to be all cheesin’ and grinnin’ with you. You want him to be a little skeptical about the whole enterprise.

http://www.stereogum.com/529251/obama-on-dylan-he-didn’t-want-to-take-a-picture-with-me/video/