Bob Dylan - Love Sick (Grammys 1998 & "Soy Bomb" incident )

February 25th, 1998 | 40th Annual Grammy Awards | New York City, NY
Bob Dylan's performance of "Love Sick", a song from his album "Time Out Of Mind" (1997), at the 40th Annual Grammy Awards. The gig was interrupted by an artist named Michael Portnoy who, in the middle of the song, ripped off his shirt showing the words "Soy Bomb" (I am bomb) written in his chest, and started dancing beside Bob and his band although they continued playing as if it were nothing.

[@ShawHortonMusic]

Dylan’s got an unbeatable swagger. The way he just keeps on playing while the soy bomb guy dances, then rips into that solo after security takes the guy away, is immaculate.

[@damsannd1407]

First time I saw the video I thought he was part of the show. Dylan was hardly surprised

[@erastusndakize4765]

I thought it was kinda staged

[@marynelson3067]

@@erastusndakize4765Not staged whatsoever

[@anneominous7172]

@@marynelson3067 Yeah, look at Dylan's face. You can see how obviously pissed off he is.

[@dabble778]

@@anneominous7172 And maybe worried. Ever since 1980 he's said he still thinks of what happened to John Lennon.

[@Melkor1818]

Dylan takes a step back, gives the guy an ocular pat down, assesses the situation is ok and continues. I'm sick of love.

[@25756881]

Dylan was like "well, I've seen some sh*t in 40 years performing...".

[@MortimerSnerdVideos]

Bob’s seen many things in his life and this is one of them

[@johnc.martin9347]

The groove of the band went into another dimension after Soy Bomb was removed and Dylan started soloing. It was like they just backed off from the edge of a cliff. Epic musical moment.

[@theleap2946]

I love Dylan’s reaction. “Is he real or am I hallucinating? Play it straight it might be in my head.” Then as he is pulled away… “okay he is real. Glad I didn’t freak out.” 🤣🤣

[@rawn4203]

It almost seemed like Dylan expected this. He didnt seem too shocked.

[@Matthew-ve7uv]

Hahaha, fucking hell, Leap, that's brilliant

[@J12680]

I always felt Dylan planned it. He’s a mysterious man and a joker according to some.

[@ExplodingPsyche]

@@rawn4203 He seemed pretty shocked, momentarily, to me.

[@marcosgomes7681]

Looool

[@M...S.]

3:18: People often overlook the fact that after Soy Bomb is removed, Dylan reestablishes his stage presence by ripping one of the best solos of his career.

[@MrTommytuna]

I didn’t I loved that solo. And his guitar playing throughout.

[@bodiddleybodiddley]

My fav guitar solo ever actually

[@allansrensen1480]

And not even looking down on his guitar. Master at work.

[@tonymcgeachin9906]

The solo in the soy bomb take is far better than the reshot version.

[@babaroga73]

Lol, that four notes?

[@ventriloqueen]

This is the single greatest live music performance at an award show of all time.

[@nelsonx5326]

Possibly. The song was great. And I swear Bob jazzed up the solo, made it angry. And that crazy Soy Guy freaked out everybody. It had it all.

[@davereynolds7472]

Bob figured if worse-came-to-worse? Why he'd kick the guy's ass HIMSELF>

[@FlaschDJ]

It’s actually not “the single greatest live performance at an award show of all time”. It’s the second greatest. There was a better one in Moldavia in 1976. But it was very fine. Seriously, Bob’s not heralded for his electric lead playing, but he tore into a bitchin’ solo at 03:09.

[@enricoholley7658]

I think this was by far best I ever heard him do lead solo. Usually he noodles to who ever is doing lead. He did that with Clapton. Love his tone on that Strat​@FlaschDJ

[@dkbsoulman]

I saw this live on cable TV in real time when it happened. Bob and the band just kept on playing as if it was part of the show. True showman and professionals. A truly great performance.

[@davereynolds7472]

funniest thing I ever saw - Bob's famed COOL front and center.

[@davereynolds7472]

Bob was like, hey, if the guy's willing to work-for-free let him go.

[@RaquelSantos-hj1mq]

I saw it too. 😂

[@constantwireless3290]

@@davereynolds7472 😂

[@first3numbers]

Yeah we just watched it bro. we know.

[@BobGymlan]

The best part of this incident is how at 3:15 (after they drag soy boy off stage) Dylan plays the best riff of his career. And it’s like an afterthought. Maybe his adrenaline was pumping.

[@Mathuews1]

That with a dash of muscle memory 😂 I'll bet at home in his younger days he would do some mild shredding then just chose never to do it publicly...never know with him 😅

[@JIEaus]

Bob Dylan - the gift that keeps giving. We are so lucky.

[@hullygullys]

One of the greatest moments of television history if you ask me. Brilliant performance by everyone.

[@suzyq8033]

"Time Out Of Mind" was the album that hooked me!!! Came out at the perfect time in my life. I was 15

[@rogerwilliams3607]

There's a Bob Dylan out there for everyone. Happy for you that you discovered your's. I discovered Dylan at 8 years old because I had an older cousin. But I was 15 when I first listen to Blood on the Tracks. Now at 63. I still cannot get enough of Dylan. He's music ever changing and always great. That's why he is who he is.... Who ever that be?

[@MrPernell27]

I was 15 also. 51 concerts later and I’m still listening

[@Mathuews1]

I was 12 and my family was watching like it was a religious experience...and how right we were 😂

[@hankhardigan1104]

Dylan's reaction was GOLD. The song, the moment, all contribute to the greatest Grammy moment these eyes have ever seen

[@terrapinflyer273]

Damn! I've never seen this side of Bob Dylan before... Then again, there are probably many sides I've yet to see. I'm hypnotized by the tone both of the guitar and his demeanor throughout this performance. Amazing how steady he remained while soy bomb guy got up to dance lol. And expressing true emotion even after that. Wow.

[@haydenbarr140]

Dylan's solo is the ultimate fuck you. Love it. ❤

[@fabriziobariggi3891]

This version is better than the original one recorded in the studio

[@ronkopald]

Fucking miles above the original

[@Herodollus]

Lanois imo made Time Out Of Mind unlistenable

[@libinvarghese8166]

Yes Indeed

[@sf4539]

@@ronkopald yes!

[@calgaines4841]

The version Dylan preferred is up on his channel now ... He never liked the released version, kept it off youtube for a loooing time ...

[@chairmanmajong]

I remember watching this in real time, at first assuming it was part of the act, then quickly realizing it wasn’t, worried like hell that something horrible would happen, amazed by Bob’s sangfroid, relieved when the intruder was removed, and moved by Bob’s performance. But beyond that I remember the camera panning the audience, zooming in on Tony Bennett and seeing Tony’s look of total respect and admiration for what Bob just did.

[@erastusndakize4765]

The sound engineers in this video are the unspoken heroes 🎉🎉❤

[@foadsam]

Never fails to but a smile on my face. It’s a great performance but Soy Bomb it’s something else 😂😂. The solo after he goes off is one of Bobs best

[@az_stan]

This is one of the greatest songs I've ever heard. It is perfection. It could not possibly be sung by anyone but Bob Dylan. A masterpiece!

[@AlexColberg]

I find that true with most Dylan songs. Nobody can sing them better than Dylan, and sometimes I wish they hadn't bothered trying.

[@ralphdesmond]

@@AlexColberg Covers can be fun! For example when Jerry Garcia would do them. But yeah- don't bother comparing to the original. Nobody is Bob except for Bob.

[@samofthesun2371]

The only time I've ever heard someone do better than Dylan's originals is Jimi Hendrix cover of "All Along the Watchtower"

[@az_stan]

@@samofthesun2371 Can't argue with you there!

[@constantwireless3290]

@@samofthesun2371 But did Jimmy understand what he was singing about?

[@MAM_007]

What an unforgettable performance by that guy......Dylan wasn't too bad either!

[@AlexColberg]

Thanks for the chuckle.

[@thingfish000]

As someone that doesn't worship Dylan, I wonder how many people watching at home said thank God that dancing fool showed up?

[@gavinparsons5150]

😂😂😂

[@brianmodlin1537]

It is still funny today.

[@jayethompson3414]

A classic moment in TV. I remember watching it live.

[@davereynolds7472]

PURELY ELECTRIC when Bob plays SOY BOMB GUY off at 3:09. The entire place explodes - just ELECTRIC.

[@johnpaul9755]

Love how Bob dips into a little Chuch Berry stance ripping that lead

[@owenpattaylor]

i love soy bomb but how fucking badass is it for dylan to just perform through it like he doesn't give a shit and then just rip up a solo

[@richardlecomte4874]

Man Bob didn't skip a beat with soy boy on stage. Incredible.

[@jacopoartigiani4077]

perfect guitar solo!

[@slumdogjay]

People who say Bob is shit live should watch this. Brilliant!

[@robertwinkelbauer3244]

Dylan live and this guitar solo!!!!

[@richardlecomte4874]

He just sounds Amazing in a small venue. It's hard to pull that off in a stadium.

[@mooremiket]

I say Dylan live os shit because I’ve seen over 200 artists in concert, and Bob is hands down the worst live experience I’ve ever had. This performance is wonderful, no doubt. But that doesn’t erase the sins of his performance I saw with my own eyes.

[@slumdogjay]

@@mooremiket I’ve seen him 9 times. Only one dodgy show. Seen far worse. Van Morrison was awful. Sisters Of Mercy were so bad I left before the end. Smashing Pumpkins were a complete mess live. The Cranberries almost put me to sleep through lack of stage presence. Placebo were also dull as dishwater. No passion.Though the first time I seen them they were quite good. So one bad Dylan show out of 9 ain’t too bad. That was back in 1991 and he was very drunk on stage.

[@mooremiket]

@@slumdogjay I’ve heard the same thing about Van Morrison, how he’s hit or miss. Thankfully, the one time I saw him about 4-5 years ago, he was in tip top shape and put on a heluva show. I’m happy to be 50-50 when it comes to mercurial performers. Dylan opened with Rainy Day Women and closed with Like A Rolling Stone. Wonderful renditions of both. The dozen songs in between were middling, unenthusiastic, mid-tempo bores. I knew going in that he changed the music and tempo and voicings of some of his oldest/biggest hits, and I still didn’t know I had witnessed Tangled Up In Blue until I read a review the next day.

[@otissss71]

the guitarists tried to contain themselves but smiled, however Tony Garnier, Dylan's longest ever bandmate to this day, on bass, just laughed throughout...I understand Bob's reaction in several ways , 1st off he IS Dylan so he's not gonna easily lose composure on stage, he has folks to do that for him and it WAS his big night at the Grammy's..."gotta serve someone" won the male best vocal in 79 but in 97 Dylan's, "time out of mind", won best album, deservedly so...a huge feat for an artist who almost died that year due to heart complications, hadn't released an l.p. of originals since 1990's ill received "under the red sky"...i'd probably be a little tricked or tickled but Bob Dylan "Stood stone faced while the soy bomb burned". ;-)

[@Citrusfruits50]

The bass player’s expression was like 😆🤷🏻‍♀️

[@lisae6725]

You have to admit that this man stands up and just seems to take charge of every emotion that's goin down.

[@nelsonr32]

Amazing that I now see a 56 year old Dylan as “young”.

[@andretremblay]

Wow, that's the sign of a true pro. Dylan just kept playing. What a guy!

[@billvallier3852]

I can never get enough of Bob

[@davereynolds7472]

wanna THANK one of the great posters here. For pointing OUT that Bob's PERFORMANCE? Only BEGAN when Bob dispersed of Soy Bomb Guy, and with some sarcastic licks. Bought the house down. Shows you how-quick-of-a-mind Bob has. Made that such a huge moment. ENTIRE STAGE EXPLODES when Bob "Plays Soy Bomb Guy" off - that was hysterical. But also an homage, i.e. respectful of Soy Bomb Guy. Hey, the guy's just trying to make a livin.

[@tkcaasllw]

I'm aware it was 1998, and it's now 2022, and I'm not saying he's old but, that may be the coolest thing I've ever seen an old guy do in my entire life.

[@charlenemichellecox9251]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5myXmtpeK6Jga8&start_radio=1&rv=JEmI_FT4YHU

[@yuntakukai1002]

You should see him play Blind Willie McTell at age 70, in 2012, for Martin Scorsese. Amazing.

[@tkcaasllw]

@@yuntakukai1002 You are right on that! Everyone watching him and he knows it, acts like it too, but whether he cares or not, he leaves that up to you. Give it up to Leonardo for giving it up to Dylan, so he could get properly recognized after that performance, and not quickly tv program forgotten. Thanks for the suggestion.

[@zandre007]

Very expressive dancing by Soy Bomb. Much better than the audience.

[@NatronGG]

and the band too. lol

[@GPsgurl80]

I had forgotten how long Soy Bomb was onstage with Dylan. It took security forever to get him outta there. At least Bob didn't seem too bothered by it.

[@nelsonx5326]

He practiced those moves earlier when he escaped from a straight jacket at the dangerous weirdo mental prison.

[@imovedy]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@arricammarques1955]

Tripping or just 'spot light' hungry?

[@ricjenner1120]

I remember when this aired live. I was 11 and watching it w my family. We didn’t even realize it wasn’t part of the show. The entire broadcast had a bizarre vibe.

[@michaelray8397]

The three stages of Bob’s career were: Dylan goes electric, Dylan goes Christian and Dylan goes soy.

[@andrewh3869]

@@sadeyedlady just a play on words: "going soy" means becoming a vegetarian, and/or giving up dairy. This performance was Dylan's "going 'soy'" :D. (Going electric and (briefly) going Christian were two drastic changes to his career in earlier decades)

[@wotzupdoc1]

What happened to the stage 'Dylan Sells Out"?

[@sadeyedlady]

@@andrewh3869 Bob became a vegetarian during this performance! Got it!

[@sadeyedlady]

@Michael Ray 🤣🤣

[@sadeyedlady]

@wotzupdoc1 It disappeared. You must have missed it. Look real close

[@tmcmojo2292]

Bob's used to this shit. Happens on a daily basis....his whole life. Doesn't phase him. Another dude freaking out about my tunes!!

[@peter2010900]

Dear God ~ thank you for Bob Dylan

[@marcosgomes7681]

Thanks to his mam and dad

[@mattbergseid9196]

Maybe we should thank Dylan for god....

[@kainezillah]

2:34 the performance.... begins!

[@janetwebb1507]

Just Effing Georgeous MAN, Song & Performance. (BD Didn't even Bat an eye or Miss a Beat at the Surprise on stage) True Professional.

[@1829scott]

one of his best performances, he has many great ones

[@johnahh5130]

He was so cool. He must have wondered if he was about to be attacked but didn't even change expression.

[@brazenchainsaw]

I remember this moment sooo fondly. Thanks for posting

[@enricoholley7658]

I never get sick of watching this. He was really up on his chops. As they escort the weirdo off, Bob let's loose, & Tony is dying laughing, classic R&R moment and classic Dylan. And the tone on his Strat! Yeah, man!

[@vincenzostr4488]

I'm walkin' Through streets that are dead Walkin' Walkin' with you in my head My feet are so tired My brain is so wired And the clouds are weepin' Did I Hear someone tell a lie? Did I Hear someone's distant cry? I spoke like a child You destroyed me with a smile While I was sleepin' I'm sick of love That I'm in the thick of it This kind of love I'm so sick of it I see I see lovers in the meadow I see I see silhouettes in the window I watch them 'til they're gone And they leave me hangin' on To a shadow I'm sick of love I hear the clock tick This kind of love: I'm lovesick Sometimes The silence can be like thunder Sometimes I wanna take to the road and plunder Could you ever be true? I think of you And I wonder I'm sick of love I wish I'd never met you I'm sick of love I'm tryin' to forget you Just don't know what to do I'd give anything to Be with you

[@cj222100]

Kudos to them for all just keeping on playing like nothing happened!

[@SayYes2Scorpions]

Damn. Didn't know he could play leads. It was simple, but pretty good.

[@rm-jl8wy]

I remember seeing this live and when Soy came on, I was like WTF? I didn't know if he was part of the show or not. Then when I saw the security guys come on stage and remove him, it obvious that he wasn't. But Bob and the band were laughing their heads off. Soy only help Bob and the band, because they really loosen them up so they relaxed, had fun, and sounded even better. It was more publicity for Bob! This incident became rock legend! I'm surprised Bob didn't hire him for more gigs or music videos. BTW TBH, Bob didn't flinch much because, he most likely saw many and much more bizzar things during his gigs in the 1960's. He probably thought, "Ah, the good old days!"😅🤣🤣

[@constantwireless3290]

😂

[@IsisMusic]

Dylan is like "who the hell is this guy? Part of the show? I better just keep on singing"

[@roberthoisington8973]

Soy Bomb was no more goofy than all the people fake dancing in the background.

[@warshipsatin8764]

what makes their dancing fake?

[@paulhardin9731]

I went to his Summer ‘97 tour & a bunch of hippie kids jumped on stage for his encore. It was a strange phenomenon happening throughout that tour. So Bob probably wasn’t all that surprised by Soy Bomb. Another day in the life.

[@Wordfishtrombone]

I dressed as Soy Bomb for Halloween 2009. I had to casually talk about it with my friends so it wouldn’t be just me who enjoyed it when I revealed it at the party. Great performance all around!

[@nelsonx5326]

Did you do the escaping from a straight jacket dance?

[@oliveeisner8964]

I'm inspired.

[@converse1762]

Sick solo, Bobby!

[@louisvillebsc1976]

One of his best ever

[@oto-aoki]

I saw this live, unforgettable!!!

[@sarahfield54]

Love him in his fancy duds 🎸🎶 1968 he walked in Cafe Lena Saratoga NY. 10 people coffee & cigs. He got up & sang a few songs. I was 15. 🎶🎸🇺🇲

[@markwhite2207]

There is the reaction of a man who's seen it all!

[@ivan_alexander11]

I’ll be damned - this is now my favorite Dylan song.

[@susannebass1883]

I always Love to listen to you, Bob Allen Dylan ❤❤❤❤❤

[@jasondylansargent2195]

Bloody hell 82 years old still with us bob Dylan 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿😁

[@MustafaAshah-el9nc]

Ramblin jack is with us too at 93

[@jonidean6122]

Bob was a perfect professional during this absolutely inexcusable failure on the part of security for the event. Disgusting

[@zackamania6534]

Lighten up

[@stevedevotion7311]

@@zackamania6534 tell that to dimebag

[@Andy-Bodhi]

@@stevedevotion7311 valid

[@brunocuriale9039]

grande gruppo, grande dylan, grande atmosfera, eccellente la sintonia del ballerino con la musica!!

[@raindeerprojekt4119]

One of the weirder moments in a very weird career... I lOVE THIS SONG!!! Dylan just owns Sorrow

[@adrianboshoff1582]

When you are born Genius but behave where we are.. what it is and how we are... thank you Bob...

[@davereynolds7472]

I keep waiting on the Reunion Show.

[@LiveFromTheATL]

Soy bomb is a legend, like Bob! The soy bomb incident will ALWAYS be a highlight of my life!!!!

[@mikestarr6634]

Bob usually sucks live, especially at award shows, sometimes intentionally. This was probably this best performance ever.

[@sebastianopaoloamato2490]

La sua voce è come il vino, più invecchia e più è bella e intrisa di sostanza!

[@davereynolds7472]

Bob and Soy Bean should re create their magic at their 25th Grammy's Anniversary.

[@Ireland831]

I remember when a co-worker and fellow guitar player turned me onto Bob D...Time Out of Mind. I remember telling him to go pound salt as Bob D was old and irrelevant. He gave me Time out of Mind, and it is easily one of my favorite records ever. I sat through this shitty award show...with all the crappy speeches and performances just to hear Bob D play. This performance was so epic....I was so upset when that dummy came out and wrecked everything with his Soy Shit and that dumb dance. I have since grown to love the fact that dumbass crashed what might be the greatest live performance ever at an award show. .....MAYBE....the better performance was Marilyn Manson at the MTV awards....that performance by MM was so intense. Anyhow...I love Bob D and Time Out of Mind. This track is so intense and I have grown to appreciate the Soy Bomb dood and think it adds something to the live performance. Epic!!

[@TheSijones]

Unbelievable Bob Dylan 🤙

[@verastiopul302]

bob dylan s reaction is sooo funny

[@constantwireless3290]

In my opinion Bob is one of the most hilarious performers walking around. A genius none the less and highly intelligent.

[@marisacabral6710]

MAGNIFICENT LOVE THIS SONG

[@stephaw8327]

this went so hard!! 🔥

[@jamesleung8679]

Here's the guy who had seen it all, that's why he was so calm.

[@viviandarkbloom100]

he's "locked in tight and out of range"

[@jamesleung8679]

@@viviandarkbloom100 He used to care but things have changed.

[@evansgate]

Uncle Bob is the greatest, I love that wtf double take he did and then decided he will just ignore it

[@giuseppeplaitano1177]

Magic song...masterpiece

[@davereynolds7472]

The Show Must Go On.

[@sadeyedlady]

I will never forget watching this. 😮😅❤️‍🔥💕 I was scared for Bob and my Dad was laughing at me. Great performance Bob and crew Nailed it

[@TheTrumpReaper]

2:33 The timing of Soy Bomb is perfect. The dance actually complements the music. 💣

[@erastusndakize4765]

Genius sounds from Bob Dyan

[@pollyvaughnzimmerman1699]

No, I didn’t lie, I loved you and our baby was real and alive. I love you still, and I miss you more.Your eternal lover. Lydia, come for me now.

[@christophermoon64]

Really, rewatching this now, this is a great version of this song. Soy Bomb was lucky to have been engraved in the memory of ppl during a beautiful performance.

[@lisaboling5336]

That guitar solo!!!!!!!

[@randallleonard4344]

For once the most perplexing thing on stage wasn't Bob !!!!

[@christy7698]

I saw this live and thought WTF? I think Bob had the same thought, as well!

[@shankly01]

First view and first comment! I’ve been looking for this video. Love the way Bob just carried on when the Soy Bomb guy came on. Brilliant performance.

[@InstantfilmCompany]

Of course he carried on, It was part of the show lol

[@shankly01]

@@InstantfilmCompany Don’t be silly, of course it wasn’t, Bob would never allow something so ridiculous.

[@zandre007]

@@InstantfilmCompany LOL I don't think he knew. Look at the expression on his face when he saw him. He's like WTF.

[@880cutter]

Same here ,I ve seen this video before but it’s taken me a year to find this vid again , I think Bob was really pissed off about love ….

[@robbkushner]

I suspect Bob was in on this. He was SO unflappable. And Tony Garnier couldn’t keep a straight face.

[@guillermopaucar5772]

tremenda personalidad no se inmuta ante cualquier incidente lo supera un tremendo musico fuera de serie desde lima peru.

[@pg9193]

same old punctual security that Lincoln had that night at the theatre, i see

[@debrajohnson1140]

I was there live in the audience, we had no idea it was not part of the show until we saw it on tv.

[@bobdylan1905]

How long have you been a fan of mine

[@debrajohnson1140]

@@bobdylan1905 forever......... I'm 62

[@bobdylan1905]

@@debrajohnson1140 Thanks for the love I must say that I have enormous respect for you considering the manner in which I have made contact with you,Your comment gave me goosebumps and I decided to honor you I’m very glad you’re. Fan of mine ..❤️❤️ I would love to have a private conversation with you if that’s okay with you

[@ericvannielsen]

Like a lot of folks here I remember watching this live, unsure of whether it was part of the act. Dylan’s face was a hint. Once they removed him it was pretty clear. He and the band sound so great here.

[@ActuallySanFrancisco]

right? dylan's never been one to shy away from experimental weirdness or art for art's sake, so i genuinely wasn't sure when this happened if the soy bomb thing was on purpose or not.

[@rockers2rockers616]

'Don't recall this at rehearsals...'

[@edwardmeta]

One of the baddest performances I've ever seen. The man knows how to control a vibe.

[@cliffh9]

I love the lyrics to this song. I hear the clock tick

[@davereynolds7472]

at about 3:29 I actually thought Bob was gonna explode. And the Stage/Set with Bob. LOL

[@jarikuukasjarvi7824]

Pure rock and beauty

[@timdavidson4456]

Sometimes the silence can be like thunder,sometimes I wanna take to the rude and plunder!!!!

[@dorksvilledog]

Between 1996 and 2000 or so,I saw this band probably 5 times. Before those shows, probably 10 times going back to 1979 or 80. After 2000 maybe 10 more times. Of all the times I saw him. This era was the best. Great band. Bob was playing incredibly. And it was obvious he was happy and having fun. Singing great. I was lucky to be up close for several shows.