Bob Dylan San Francisco Press Conference 1965

Bob Dylan's 1965 San Francisco televised press conference in full. Recorded on 3 December 1965.
Read the full context in the book 'JUDAS!' by Clinton Heylin.
www.route-onlin...

[@iloveyoutubedeer9905]

The same day this interview took place, The Beatles released Rubber Soul and The Who released their debut album, My Generation. Just thought I give a little trivia for all you comment scrollers. Hope you enjoyed it and have a great day!!!

[@93Jubilee]

Thanks!

[@caseyjoanz]

ILoveKZbinDeer -Rubber Soul and My Generation were both excellent albums that marked a period where bands we thought we knew showed they were capable of more than anyone imagined. But Dylan - at this point - was showing the world that sounds of the culture could no longer be held to any known measure of the old rules. It’s easy to dismiss it as someone putting on the square press, but what’s compelling is that he’s talking in the way he was writing and singing: something that traditional venues couldn’t wrap their heads around, but if you were young he sounded so grounded and normal. Those who didn’t get him thought he was speaking in exclusionary terms, letting them know how uncool they were. But if you got him, his music and his ideas sounded like everyone you knew. He was being perfectly open and transparent.

[@matthewnewcomb559]

The real trivia is how many cigarettes did he smoke during this?

[@caseyjoanz]

Matthew Newcomb -Right? It’s like an episode of Mad Men!

[@cjay2]

@@caseyjoanz Exactly. He was writing in feelings and concepts. One line of a song could be speaking to an entirely different situation, and then return to the original story. The Moody Blues did that constantly. It was amazing. Dylan's songs weaved concepts together in a very unique way, though each song had its own flavor and general theme. In Blonde on Blonde, Memphis Blues Again has a totally different feel than Sad-Eyed Lady. Everyone I knew at the time understood Dylan's music in their own way, but there were common threads that reached us all.

[@jojoteresa9311]

here after watching A Complete Unknown, and I’m amazed at how well Timothee mastered Bob’s mannerisms!! The mumble, the forward shoulders, rubbing his chin with his two fingers and resting it in his palm..absolutely incredible portrayal!

[@annjarvis2437]

Exactly what I thought. Saw it yesterday after being a fan since 1965. Timothee was amazing

[@dsn1460]

it was ok. tim portrays bob as this brooding and spiteful character. in reality bob is a lot nicer and more polite

[@louismahon6834]

​@@dsn1460 I think that's down to the writing and direction tbh. The movie turns him into a total antihero.

[@vidform]

He was 24 years old during this conference.

[@bolaoladapo1229]

Same age of m Jackson during the thriller hysteria

[@zivanajadresic8604]

He was 24 but he was fathomless.You can see by their questions that they have no clue about him and dont really know what question would be relevant to him.

[@lukethedrifter3363]

It shows

[@1KSarah]

@vidform He was 24 at the beginning of the conference, and 25 at the end of it. Bob Dylan evolved fast.

[@eddiebrender1785]

Same age as William Zantzinger when he killed Hattie.

[@gavinhaney7187]

25:00 for those who don't know, "Freeze Out" was the working title for what would eventually be one of Dylan's greatest songs: Visions of Johanna

[@Skroumst]

Thank you!!! I was wondering what song that could be seeing as how Blonde on Blonde has no such track name!

[@CircusHouseGlass]

In my opinion probably his best song ever!

[@davidmay8104]

Thanks. I was just going to look that up when I saw your comment.

[@consolecontempt9524]

"I think of myself as more of a song & dance man..." Priceless.

[@orangesurfboard2238]

What a great quote! And he was actually serious.

[@EdwardSchoenman]

If you write to Elston Gunn and tell him he’s a great song and dance man, the best you’ve you have ever seen, he will give you a thumbs up, like he did for me more than 20 years ago

[@l.alexandra5871]

One of the greatest lines of all time!

[@cynthiamoore7056]

Classic Dylan response.

[@MatthewSmith-fy5hk]

@@orangesurfboard2238 He seemed embarrassed by how the group guffawed at that that remark, he wasn't joking.

[@digitalwasabi2]

He was a pleasant and polite kid with a good sense of humor. A very likable guy.

[@BadWebDiver]

So true!

[@ubself]

digitalwasabi2 Minnesota

[@twittertwice]

Didn't find him likable...found him uncomfortable...for most of this whatever you call in. .. a bunch of cackling reporters

[@lemonchicken507]

Shame he changed

[@mugeakbaba3573]

he still is.

[@jessemunson1352]

A man who loves ideas being confronted by a crowd who loves facts.

[@edwardkiernan]

Witness a woman who has drunk the kool-aid.

[@biscuitburger725]

Kool aid is epic

[@larrylinn8589]

It was a the rail wagging the dog!

[@owenrees7544]

get off the pipe

[@thesongtowoody]

you get it.

[@TheSirrobb]

I was lucky enough to meet Bob in his dressing room after his very first concert in England at the Royal Festival Hall. It was a year or so before this interview when he only had two albums out and was working on 'Times are a Changing' He came across as someone who was slightly phased by all the attention he was getting - I remember him saying as we jostled towards his taxi later and the crowd outside pushed towards him ''' stop pushing you guys - I thought you liked me ''? He always had that laconic sense of humour, which I found was extremely endearing . Fifty five years or more have gone by and he is still the most famous musician I have met in person and I still play and love his music today.

[@isabelrodriguez4478]

So lukcy!!

[@janegoldberg006]

Saw him once at The Beacon Theater , NYC , was in a row with young people who all knew what he was going to sing . I remember he stood with his arms akimbo

[@janegoldberg006]

@@TheSirrobb lucky you

[@YvonneMichelleAutry]

Such A SOUL MAN! LOVE him! LOVE his SPIRIT! Really LOVE his lyrics! I too am a poet! He is a poet prophet! Incredible vessel for ‘THOSE WORDS’ & sounds that reflect a generation, culture etc! It is A VIBE! So glad that he fought to maintain his identity & integrity even in his fame & stardom in that industry!

[@sharonconstable8146]

Back when the press would ask a singer/songwriter, "What poets do you dig?"

[@melindamanthey2757]

All the poets I ripped off for my song lyrics.

[@lendrury2771]

@@melindamanthey2757 hahahahaha ain't that the truth

[@cjay2]

@@lendrury2771 Ain't that totally unsupportable. What an ass you are. hahahaha.

[@cjay2]

@@melindamanthey2757 Ain't that totally unsupportable. What an ass you are. hahahaha.

[@DustinKoffman]

KQED the local PBS station sponsored the event.

[@stephengehly2319]

“I’ve thought about it a great deal” I love Bob Dylan’s reaction because he doesn’t want to make the guy feel bad but he literally didn’t put any thought into that thing at all.

[@anita-qq9iw]

As a huge Dylan fan. i would like to have your opinion on new young talent I have just come across: I can hear touches of Dylon in his work. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aKGrZaOai9d4jMk, maybe you could also leave a comment on his song. He has low views on this song, kid could use a break ,it must be the A&R years in me coming out.

[@weary_traveller111]

it's all the more impressive considering the way that guy is staring at him so intesely @1:55 is creepy as fuckk

[@popscola2574]

@@weary_traveller111 that dude for sure was under early monarch programming of the 60s

[@miserableunoriginal]

The lip lick @1:54 though….

[@popscola2574]

@@miserableunoriginal lmao i didnt catch that. Bob had to have had his creeper alert up after this dudes interaction. Wonder if the creeper is still alive

[@EliasAlias]

Many thanks for posting this. 1965 was the year I quit college, joined the Marines, volunteered for Viet Nam. Older and much wiser now, I truly wish I had been awake and aware enough back then to have listened to Bob Dylan and Joan Baez instead of the federal government's and Wall Street's lies. But as wisdom does arrive with accumulated age, I now know that I should have listened to my conscience instead of anything from the world outside myself. I greatly appreciate Bob Dylan's gift to the human world, to America, and to my Soul. He's my "Saint of Song" forever, peerless and pure all the way. Salute!

[@johneynon7121]

Class of 65. From surf city to Da Nang. I know that song, Medic-Up. Welcome home from Hell to Heaven.

[@GeorgeAPadilla]

You said above, "I should have listened to my conscience instead of anything from the world outside myself" - Wow, that is so true for me too. I wonder if it applies to very many people or is maybe even universal for humans. I kind of had a subconcious knowing that I was going to go through trials since babyhood even knowing that I did not want to. I think we let the community, government take over our decisions because it is in our nature. Like dogs following a pack, but we need to develop our sense of independence. And that is probably part of what our favorite religion tries to tell us. And god knows I cannot mention that or I will be nailed to something and behided, you know? No, too bad despite the sacrifices of people like you, we are not safe thanks to our politicians and fuck them.

[@rickmemmer5625]

It's understandable why you wouldn't see some things back then -- but it's unforgivable that we would refuse to see based on all that history we have to learn from. We put up monuments to honor soldiers and then sloppily and unnecessarily put them in harm’s way (using them as props for political aims that have no bearing on reality). I'm not anti-war -- I'm pro-thinking. By thew way, since you mentioned Joan Baez -- I thought you might get a kick out of this: www.conelrad.com/atomicsecrets/secrets.php?secrets=10#newspaper . . .

[@mjm5081]

So glad you made it back! ❤

[@samuelli-a-sam]

Thank you for your service 🙏🏼

[@GrtSatan]

Hard to imagine any musician today being considered important enough to justify a press conference.

[@1DaTJo]

Good point! Noone is talented enough these days.

[@whibraen2750]

so is "the press" more impt than their subject ?? think not

[@drlock978]

That’s because,the times were a changing then.

[@wturber]

Google "Taylor Swift Press Conference". Personalities are much more protected and controlled these days so the press conferences don't really do much.

[@KyleWilliamsMusic1]

1DaTJones well it’s sad because there probably are a ton of very talented musicians close to Bob Dylan’s level, but that just isn’t desired anymore.. people want pop music crap.

[@Hollowsmith]

One thing that always struck me about Bob Dylan is that his accent sounds like the accent of a guy born 40 years later. Like he sounds like a Gen X guy born in 1941. It's fascinating. His cadence and manner of speaking makes it feel like he isn't living in the same reality as these people.

[@theballq]

Hes hip..they are ⬛️

[@bernardgoetz655]

Smart guy. 33:00 He realized way back then that talking to media individually was hopeless because they're generally incapable of reporting conversations accurately. Talking to a press conference keeps things accurate.

[@onionmhylis4382]

@@bernardgoetz655 Press conferences were common for the time.

[@thomasbell7033]

@@bernardgoetz655 I am a journalist and that's crap. When it's someone who might claim he was misquoted, we keep a recorded record, or at least I always have.

[@michaelquinlan6802]

Well said.

[@MrEdkern]

I met bob dylan in cleveland,ohio on july 17,1991. I was walking around down by lake erie and looked up and here comes bob dylan. I stood still and he came up to me to shake my hand. Very nice to me.

[@nowhereman6496]

Wow, July 17th is my birthday and that day was the first time I saw Bob play live. He was playing in the flats. Great concert.

[@pamelaswan2774]

Minnesota Nice ❤

[@ThomasMcGauley-m7z]

Dylan always went for walks. Still does. My birthday is July 17th.

[@datagrl]

Did he smile? He doesn’t smile anymore, sadly.

[@marine4lyfe85]

Was it near the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame?

[@greeksalad4783]

I think the audience is trying way too hard to intellectualize Dylan's music and he's just being honest and down to earth.

[@daves9355]

Especially the first guy!! 😂😂

[@marjoriegoodwin2993]

He was just a kid, and the public put a lot of pressure on him. Cute as a button really.

[@daniellavaladez7820]

Only 24! I can't imagine

[@Yahowah777]

The guy put himself in the situation and reaped the worldly rewards that come from it

[@jeffryphillipsburns]

He certainly seems to act here like just a kid, and it does appear that his audience (at the conference, that is) is charmed by his youth, pretty face, and whimsical insouciance more than anything he actually says. He rarely me strikes me as witty and never as articulate (to say nothing, of course, of substantive).

[@jeffryphillipsburns]

@@daniellavaladez7820 Can’t imagine what? Being twenty-four?

[@jeffryphillipsburns]

@@Yahowah777 The putative “worldly rewards” of a pop singer’s press conference would presumably be record sales. Is his evasiveness and dismissiveness (“mysterioso” his early confederate Dave Van Ronk calls it) in aid of this? Possibly. After all, Zimmerman’s greatest talent is his ability to self-mythologize. Would Columbia Records have dropped him if he’d refused? Doubt it. Anyway, he seems to me pretty comfortable here, even when he’s rambling desperately and vainly in search of a bon mot.

[@thedvguy]

People thought a picture of Dylan sitting on the steps wearing a T-shirt had some cosmic meaning

[@theunlawfulsponge5908]

The zodiac killer did

[@GVernon]

Not people - The guy asking the question was obviously a very cosmic guy - either that or he was coming down from a bad acid trip.

[@crabbypatty10fefrefe]

I know. I was rolling my eyes so hard I could almost see my brain.

[@aaronquist8125]

It does though...here we are talking about it.

[@bluefeatherlf7992]

They were high.

[@ladyleesutter]

Thumbs up to KQED for realizing the importance of this press conference with Dylan and ensuring the sound and camera work were top quality, making it available to Dylan fans more than half a century later. And hooray for KZbin as well.

[@aussiebitchxxtruedat972]

👍 😎

[@loisweatherly872]

Indeed. I appreciate you pointing that out.

[@jacquescousteau217]

Flora Bunda very true , but here we are almost 55 years later , and KQED ( PBS in S.F. ) is a complete SELLOUT ! Hosting next debate ,and PBS leaves SANDERS completely out. If you don’t believe this hellhole of a country doesn’t have a price tag ,you’re naive. Dylan was right as many others are as well about there being only ONE POLITICAL PARTY ...

[@zacpearce315]

Hoora for KZbin? ?😂 do some resurch? 😈 Jeff Censored be a good place to start? ?😉

[@dickhartzell6261]

Thanks. I was wondering who shot this press conference and why. Now I know.

[@wilsonking1617]

13:50 “My role is to stay here as long as I can.” Mission accomplished Bob

[@youriami9411]

For real, to think that he's 81 years old. 🙏

[@robertcronin6603]

no doubt

[@masontarwater]

Yeah that one got me too, he had NO CLUE how well that goal was met.

[@bsnf-5]

and he still on his never ending tour

[@iantye2086]

At 67, I just need the soundtrack to my life for a bit longer yet! But appreciate him being here for as long as he has been. Done well Bob.

[@blissfulbaboon]

Its really bizarre how these reporters look and feel like they are from another planet. Dylan is the most mellow,grounded vibe in the room,calm,relaxed,responsive.He handles their questions gracefully with humor although you can see he is irritated by them.

[@MsPat497]

REALLY DEEP!! JUST HIMSELF. HE KNOWS HIS IDENTITY. COOL/ CALM PEOPLE ARE SMART HUMAN BEINGS. LOVE DYLAN BAD.

[@andrewpower8357]

He is having fun with them, even as their questions get more and more absurd.

[@mjclark641]

They're doing their job. They have a story to file, in order to get paid, to keep a roof over their head, so they have to ask questions and record his answers, no matter how dumb. They're not there to hang out.

[@kathryndeloria1834]

Bet he was glad Alan Ginsberg was there. Maybe someone who “gets” how he felt about the questions.

[@paulgentile1024]

tired and high

[@chillydawgg4354]

he doesn't let himself be pigeonholed, pinned down, or defined by other people. good life lessons for us all

[@frankstacks4756]

Being very uncomfortable and seriouly wasted is a life lesson ?

[@hippiecheezburger5457]

@@frankstacks4756 seriously wasted? on what? pot? gtfoh lmao

[@frankstacks4756]

@@hippiecheezburger5457 The usual downers and boose hangover idiot

[@massimoamato5593]

Frank stacks why so negative bro lol it’s not even that serious

[@raspberrycrowns9494]

he says while defining him

[@RobHollanderMusic]

Dylan at his most whimsical and humorous, before it all started to weigh on him. He was delightful then, cheeky and likable like the Beatles.

[@HomeAtLast501]

He was utterly fascinating. But he didn't seem to handle maturing very well. It's odd to me, and hard to figure out exactly why.

[@wyattgranger5870]

The guy, who in all likelihood is an introvert, gets thrust the mantle of prophet of the new generation and gets flattened out from a full person to some godlike figure whose t shirt gets mistaken by some schmuck for having cosmic significance? I think its very obvious that trying to mature in the constant horse and pony show that is the U.S. entertainment complex of Capitalistic cannibalism

[@HomeAtLast501]

@@wyattgranger5870 He didn't get thrust --- he sought the fame and spotlight. Yes, he denies this in these early interviews and press conferences. In this very presser he said he wasn't looking for fame. Yet decades later he betrays that lie in his own memoir, and repeats this in his interviews regarding the memoir, as he does in his 60 Minutes interview. He talks about that moment in the tavern in NYC when he knew he was on his way, that destiny was calling. And he talks about with Ed Bradley how he always knew he was destined for fame. He said that knowledge was like a precious jewel that he protected and didn't share with anyone for fear that they would destroy it.

[@JunkBondTrader]

@@HomeAtLast501 I agree. I think he was being conscious about sounding full of himself here. Like, I bet he has an idea of why he was big... He was practically a kid, and I have to imagine at least part of his demeanor is contrived. But I suppose consciously not wanting to sound immodest, is kinda like just being modest.

[@ultraviolent]

@@HomeAtLast501 certainly you can understand that wanting fame and having fame are two very different things. most young people to some degree want to feel seen and known, but there are alot of horrors to being in the spotlight that you can't fully comprehend until you are in the spotlight. i can't imagine that level of invasion of his private life and existence wouldn't cause some sort of long-standing damage to his psyche all things considered

[@mvies77]

His attitude toward the press all depends upon the questions asked. His sense of fun and wit and not taking himself seriously, only his music, clearly shows his intelligence, creativity and independence.

[@benkleschinsky]

10:55 Ladies garments. 50 years later the first television commercial he would ever do was for women’s garments. He was serious.

[@paulfroelich1024]

Only Norm MacDonald and Bob would wait that long for the punchline of a joke.

[@susanrosemaryromer589]

What was the ad please? Do you have a link? ♥️

[@benkleschinsky]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/m3PUaIavfNl6brs

[@nonenone6357]

He is never serious in these interview.good for him

[@lm7092]

I remember telling my husband I saw him in a Victoria’s Secret ad. My husband snapped-“That is one thing he would never do.”

[@naomiwinters3738]

Bob Dylan: coughs Everybody in that room: HaHAHAHAHAHA

[@williamweathers872]

Suck-ups are still suck-ups even if they're suckn-up to Dylan.

[@lendrury2771]

@@williamweathers872 amen I agree .nauseating suck ups

[@mariedewitt5506]

Enjoyed him in concert in Philly this week, but never was there a man who got so rich on so little, largely on being a character with a few good songs

[@lendrury2771]

@@mariedewitt5506 marketing and timing and the generation made him rich and famous From a talent standpoint marginal at best

[@benevolencism7882]

you are both insane - I could list over 50 amazing Bob Dylan songs that have been covered by so many others - The Byrds alone made a career of Bob Dylan songs. How about The Band? More recently Adele had a huge hit with Bob Dylan's beautiful song "Make You Feel My Love". "If Not For You" - number one for Olivia Newton John. "Blowing In the Wind" - sung by every school kid....

[@TheBluewaterBlonde]

The greatest lyricist of all time is an abstract poet, just digging the words. Here he is 24 years old, secretly married for about a week to his 8-month pregnant wife Sara, their firstborn Jesse born a month later on January 6, 1966. His best known album Blonde on Blonde to be released six months after this press conference in June 1966.

[@melindamanthey2757]

Utter bull shit.. the man is a plagiarist.

[@lsseaside7303]

Bob Dylan, 1965 to 2021 for 56 years his popularity has remained and is still going! People worldwide love him. He inspires people with his genius ability to song write poetically and sing it in a poetic story. He captures us that we are spellbound as we listen. His songs are about important things that matter to us all in our everyday life.

[@LyteWave]

It's amazing that you can watch this piece of cultural history and then go see the man live in concert.

[@adamfriend1040]

Hi there.. how are you doing? Hope you are fine and staying safe over there???

[@jlip4308]

Bob's mom told my cousin at a wedding reception years ago that Bob was shy. I was 4 years old when this interview was and I never heard of him until he volunteered an interview to the Hibbing High Times school newspaper when I was a senior in 1979. Bob graduated from there in 1959. He seemed sincere and came across as a nice guy. You can here his Iron Range accent when he emphasized the words house and orange in this interview.

[@brianarbenz7206]

I could have enjoyed two or three more hours of this. The genuineness of Bob Dylan was a joy to behold.

[@JG09101]

Watching this historic interview after digging into Dylan's music for the first time and i honestly don't think I've been this fascinated by a musician in a long time, what a legend.

[@barryw2659]

At 25:31 that's Bill Graham asking a question. For those of you that don't know he was the main rock concert promoter in the U.S. in the late 60s. His most famous venues were the Fillmore West (SF) and Fillmore East (NYC). At one time he was as famous as the rock acts he signed. When he died tragically in a helicopter accident in Northern California in 1991 they gave a free tribute concert to him in Golden Gate Park. Journey played there and the Rolling Stones sent a message to the crowd paying tribute to Bill.

[@williammcdonald724]

Thanks for confirming that. I thought so. A number of people in the audience look familiar, but we may be seeing the younger version of the person.

[@June_Magoo]

what a trip. So many great lil gems in this video. Its awesome that Bill Graham gave Bob that Jefferson Airplane & the Great Society Fillmore poster

[@maxragno9881]

Also hosted The Last Waltz at his Winterland venue

[@spb7883]

Plus Ginsberg and Ralph J. Gleason (also emceeing)

[@rojaskendall]

Also Jim Marshall the photographer taking pictures !

[@palettetools6461]

"We all like motorcycles to some degree"

[@foljs5858]

I do

[@willbaldwin3605]

foljs 😂 he looked absolutely mental when he said that

[@thatweirdbeatlesgirl8285]

**JULY 29 1966 INTENSIFIES**

[@painiscupcake5433]

@@willbaldwin3605 He was probably in on the joke

[@elstonngunn4193]

The most Jewish he’s ever sounded wen he sed that

[@Dargyful]

My role is to stay here as long as I can .... 2020 still here ... legend 🙏🏻

[@Joeyarmstrong99]

2024

[@Mr5thWave]

@@Joeyarmstrong992025. 60 years. Unreal.

[@scottarant5479]

I was an 18-year-old college freshman when this interview was filmed. I was well aware of Dylan and his music, but I never saw this video until just recently (December 2024). Very interesting, thanks for posting it.

[@GUITARTIME2024]

Dylan's speaking sounds very contemporary, but the reporters sound somewhat "old school".

[@wienerdanger4927]

is that patti smith around 10:00? sounds like her voice and that would be so cool if it is

[@comedownmachine4682]

Droxy Snape implying the reporters in this video weren’t loud

[@marilealouise3953]

Because Bob is like 21 and the reporters are all middle aged

[@solodolotrevino]

Bob is around the generation where the Transatlantic accent was no longer being used

[@jespersorensen4462]

Yeah agree.. Nothings changed.. still the smartest guy in the room (any room)

[@StrawberryFeildsforNever]

One of the men in the audience is real having one hell of a time. Everyone: hehehe Him: HEHAHAHAHEHEHAH

[@melaniecotterell8263]

It was 1965 in San Francisco, And it's always Friday somewhere.

[@ilcodephs1480]

@@melaniecotterell8263 December the 3rd 1965 was Friday, actually

[@nekosaiyajin8529]

@@melaniecotterell8263 why did this comment make so much sense while seemingly making none at all

[@juancastillonb]

the envy was eating his guts

[@aleksandargjoreski8831]

U know, i started thinking, all that laughing was fake..

[@admiralJONK]

imagine being able to say you admire allen ginsberg's poetry with him in the audience asking hilarious in-joke questions

[@masontarwater]

I *thought* that looked like Ginsberg! so funny.

[@jeffryphillipsburns]

“Being able”? Don’t you mean “feeling obligated”? Otherwise why wouldn’t he have named another actual poet?

[@minjabentb]

Timestamp of Ginsberg’s questions?

[@kookoothebirdgirl1]

@@minjabentbat 17:55 that’s Ginsberg.

[@ericmichalowski9582]

It's just amazing how he arrived on the scene in instantly captivated the whole world. In an instant he became the most important musician of the 20th century

[@nigelaltman1209]

Vision music. That is exactly what happens when I listen to Dylan, I get lost in the world. “I’ve been ten thousand miles in the mouth of a graveyard”. I see this black and white steam of graves- on an old film reel to reel. Every line gives me this beautiful and dark image of longing. But it’s always an image so clear. When I listen to Dylan the thousands of thoughts that pass by my mind slow to a focused vision and my body just moves to his brooding triplet strumming. Genius that he has so many songs that can do this so eloquently. His life is an inspiration.

[@WilliamBrownGuitar]

This seems like a Monty Python skit.

[@kimberlywolf2634]

Never in my life have I enjoyed a press conference as much as this one.. A lot of people who were in the room that day couldn't begin to comprehend what this man was talking about. He wasn't giving a conference; he's just a human being speaking to you about life, along with the jokes and that deep vibe you get when your speaking to another human being. He wasn't trying to be funny at all, people just laughed because that's who he is. Sometimes when someone in the audience would make him a very powerful question, he would sit there in deep thought seeming he doesn't really care about the question, but in fact he's actually thinking about it more than you can imagine. He doesn't have the answers to anything, that's why sometimes he wouldn't even bother to answer back. The way he interacts with the people just astonishes and amazes me in so many levels. If I can be born again, I would love to live that day in that conference room, in the audience, and being able to ask him one question.

[@lix88440000]

And what would you ask him?

[@Code9]

Dylan enjoyed playing the role of the trickster. His often obtuse responses to the questions posed to him in interviews and press conferences were his way of giving the finger to the "establishment" which, in his mind, was represented by the press. He also knew his evasive and obtuse responses would go a long way to creating a bit of "mystery" about him and that, in turn, would keep people talking about him. He knew exactly what he was doing and he was having a good time doing it at the expense of those who were not hip enough to recognize that he was playing them.

[@kimberlywolf2634]

This idea had never crossed my mind but it makes so much fucking sense.

[@kimberlywolf2634]

I still don't know the answer to your question. But I'll probably get back to you in a couple of years. Hopefull by then I've come up for the perfect question to ask Dylan in 1965.

[@kimberlywolf2634]

I'm not trying to be anything. Bite me.

[@johnriehle623]

Dylan's clearly tired but full of good humor, being as cooperative as he can under circumstances that must feel pretty trying at times. He delivers a master class in providing good-natured answers that defeat the questioner's expectations. With few exceptions, you can see this crowd is primed to get the answers they want, but they don't. It's like watching Ballad of a Thin Man acted out in front of you.

[@thedogwoods5716]

He always looks like that though

[@dogsarelife1]

He is more probably stoned than tired

[@kluneberg8952]

@@dogsarelife1 he was the one to introduce weed to The Beatles

[@gijsschubert7901]

He is balancing between being shy, taking the piss out of other people or being funny. After every question you see him thinking: shall I answer this seriously or make fun out of them?

[@SilverLarry]

So cool to see Allen Ginsberg sitting among the press and throwing out a question.

[@charlesventura3723]

And Michael McClure,Ralph Gleason, Jim Marshall and Bill Graham

[@kitharoidos1089]

Nice to see him take some time off from his NAMBLA "activism"/s

[@cjay2]

@@kitharoidos1089 Here we go again. More bullshit from the mosquito gallery.

[@pacz8114]

@@cjay2 Her father's suspicions proved well-founded. It was not Edward she cared for, rather it was Fran Sansisco, Ginsberg, monopolistic unitary things, and flat Fresca.

[@cjay2]

@@pacz8114 I'd respond to this, but I cannot fundamentally understand it. But I'm fine with that, because there are too many other things, far more important, going on in the world.

[@melmel075]

Press: are we looking for answers to questions we dont really understand? Dylan: that's a really good question for you to ask yourselves!

[@johnwest7993]

A lot of people think Dylan's voice is terrible. But I find it to be hypnotic. It's a magic carpet to a magic land, a time, a place, a happening. Very few other singers can do that. They can sing beautifully, but Dylan can change who you are.

[@jonthebru]

It all appears to be jocular and fun but my god the "tell" in this press conference is amazing. I feel gratified to have existed in this material world at the same time as the likes of Bob Dylan, Neil Young and countless other artists. I'm extremely happy he has stayed with us as long as he has.

[@BeatlesCentricUniverse]

So that's where Andy Kaufman got that line, "I think of myself as a song and dance man."

[@nicolab2075]

Wasn't it a line of James Cagney's?

[@ubself]

Sy Goldman song and dance man is very old

[@BeatlesCentricUniverse]

Of course, and all the early entertainers said that of themselves. But Dylan was being funny and ironic, as was Kaufman. And Kaufman was hip to Dylan.

[@atticusmcfly]

Here's living proof that one man can defeat an army without lifting a finger.

[@JBplumbing12]

?

[@OGRE_HATES_NERDS]

how so?

[@pitchforkcustom]

he lifted a finger and some

[@wbirdigitalteam4741]

This should be required viewing for any Dylan fan. It's fantastic.

[@terryogara]

When was the last time an artist did this, and was treated with the same respect and camaraderie as this, and the media broadcast this. Music is important, or was.

[@eltonspurlock]

Our generation had the best music.

[@tangerinesarebetterthanora-v8k]

​@@eltonspurlockyou are probably right but there is still very good music coming out if you search for it.

[@ramlathers8182]

This seems like a pretty friendly gathering (can you say mid-60's San Francisco?) but around this time the status quo thought of Bob as a bad influence on America's youth. I grew up in the 60s and was 7 years old when this was recorded. My oldest sibling Bill had one of his albums that he played over and over with antagonized my father to the point that he finally tore it off the record player, opened the front door and sailed it up the street like a Frisbee. My dad was typical of the "over 30" crowd back then who hated long hair ("dirty Beatniks!") Rock music (damned noise!")and everything else that didn't conform to the uniform blandness the WWII generation craved after seeing the world teeter on the brink of Hell for all those years. Their kids on the other hand saw them as lunatics who had almost destroyed the planet and looked towards a new world of peace and love yadda yadda. (how quickly THEY all cashed in their values and became money grubbing Yuppies! At this time however Bob was seen as a leader of this vision of a new world even as he uniformly denied being any kind of a leader at all. In fact he sang clearly about not following leaders.

[@roshakasravi1989]

Amen !

[@klaustoth6982]

".... don't follow leaders / watch the parking meters."

[@paulfroelich1024]

@@klaustoth6982 Klaus you beat me to it hahaha

[@FarhanAmin1994]

Ram Lathers, my, o my! You have such a way with words! For goodness’ sake, do write more. I ain’t pulling your leg; truly loved reading this long comment!

[@johnorson6907]

The 20th century was incredibly tragic, but it also gave us an incredible renaissance of music and art in general. Guys like Dylan really changed attitudes and inspired people

[@carlottashaw4865]

I love how one can tell that Bob is taking the piss out of a lot of these people. Fantastic press conference.

[@adamfriend1040]

Hi there.. how are you doing? Hope you are fine and staying safe over there???

[@gabe-po9yi]

Ha, so true.

[@Kinkle_Z]

Bobby - when you came to the Hollywood Bowl in '65 we didn't boo when the BAND came on after the intermission. We loved it! Also - thanks for coming to the Philly Folk Fest in '72... It was great hanging out with you in your Schwenksville motel room afterparty with Janis and Maria. What a treat. Thank you so much. I will never forget it. You are so loved...

[@BeefheartLynch]

What a truly amazing and charismatic individual. Legend is an understatement.

[@rathm017]

I love Bob Dylan and he played you just like he played the media in this video if you are calling him "truly amazing and charismatic." I am sure he'd be chuckling as he was after this sitting with these ignorant reporters.

[@JackFate76]

"If you where gonna sell out to a commercial interest, which one would you choose?" "Uhm, Lady’s garments." 40 years later he did the Victoria’s Secret Ads. Say what you want, the guy is true to his word.

[@zetaeerre0]

great profile pic my friend

[@MFDOOOOM]

@@zetaeerre0 lol

[@dans9463]

You uncovered that

[@donaldcameron288]

Wow, I never realized that. His answer was widely reported by the music media and Dylanologists, but it never occurred to me when the VS ads came out. I shoulda thought of it. Thanks!

[@JackFate76]

@@donaldcameron288 I only realized it when I randomly watched this press conference for the umpteenth time years after the VS ads. It makes me wonder if somehow this remark stuck in his mind and was relevant to his decision to do those ads.

[@tommoranofficial]

1:04 "oh my god.." - Bob Dylan

[@tommoranofficial]

LOL I love that !

[@rhinestcowby]

Am I here all alone?

[@Dude4311]

Can’t imagine an interview like this today

[@ronmackinnon9374]

When he mentions recently recording a song 'Freeze Out,' that was the first title for what became 'Visions of Johanna.'

[@Sandro2367]

"What poets do you dig? Smokey Robinson." That's class.

[@Bungaroosh]

And Charlie Rich. Now THAT astonished me. I also love Charlie Rich's writing.

[@tomlund4951]

The tracks of my tears...

[@munimathbypeterfelton6251]

Apparently, Smokey and Dylan are good friends too.

[@uggggggghhhhh]

He also mentions Allen Ginsberg who is right there, I love his reaction to hearing his name @ 6:28

[@ethousiosmusic1093]

I love that with everything he says you can’t tell if he’s being serious or just playing a character

[@lynzimoore4010]

I was in high school in 1965 and a friend and I went to his concert at the Masonic Auditorium in San Francisco. What an experience. The first half was with his band and the second half was him alone acoustically. All I can say is it was a WOW.......memories,memories

[@willsevy7836]

Bob Dylan: "Song and Dance Man" Everyone: HAHAHAHAHA

[@natalies1624]

to b fair that was hilarious

[@jgoller]

and they couldn't leave that brilliant line there, they had to take it literallly

[@mikewalsh7318]

That was a lift of a James Cagney quote.

[@davidoconnor3930]

@@natalies1624 how

[@natalies1624]

@@davidoconnor3930 i dont know i just have a sense of humour i guess

[@Indomitable_Alykat]

He side-steps their attempts to trap him in a controversial answer beautifully, while still maintaining an amiable and relaxed demeanor with that classic Bob Dylan breezy smile and easy charisma. What an effortlessly magnetic human being. No one else like him

[@skipbayless557]

What’s your IG?

[@AndreasLovely]

Well said.

[@masontarwater]

Yes very much so, I've heard about his curmudgeonly persona with the press but it was quite the opposite, he was really trying to give them what they wanted but it just honestly wasn't in him and he said that with a smile. Very charming.

[@dorothydavis476]

Clyster is 1e ❤est un site ¹de

[@dorothydavis476]

A ñ00p00p

[@johnmackendrick5173]

Until just now, I never thought of WC Fields as a poet. But, really, the way he spills out words is poetic.

[@Bette_Fontenot]

He started with a sort of contrived discomfort, but his answers and delivery show you that he's actually more comfortable than he wants you to believe. Through the press conference, he seems to sort of drop the act as the questions roll in more smoothly from the reporters. He's very charming- and he knows it. A dangerous man LOL

[@Agonyfanboi]

He's 24 here. That in itself is incredible...the music he wrote and composed.

[@Charleybones]

Amazing to see Dylan as an early 20's adult show such patience with these bunch of older generation self important career journalists trying to bait him into making statements about himself, his music, and his opinions. Instead he makes them look like clueless amateur posers. Little did they know that they were dealing with a a songwriter who would define a generation.

[@JDAbelRN]

You know, it was the journalist's job to ask varied and complex questions, to elicit illuminating responses from an influential rock star poet and the pied piper of a generation.

[@Charleybones]

@@JDAbelRN Yes, and they failed miserably.

[@micmillist2588]

Journalists, the skid marks on the underwear of society. But as long as they have elastic waists they can stand up to being scrutinised by a tight pair of fitted jeans.

[@HomeAtLast501]

I have watched this press conference many, many times over the last 2-3 years, and I really don't see it that way. There was a very comfortable rapport between Dylan and the press members here. And many of them were very young themselves, if you really look at them. Very young. The audience was asking reasonable questions. What's so unreasonable about asking a songwriter what he meant by a song? It's an obvious question. Dylan himself said many times that he just threw words together, and the songs in many cases didn't mean anything. But you wouldn't expect other people to know this until they are told. I personally feel that in that famous footage from '65 in England, when Dylan and Donovan are at the party together, and each plays a song --- that Dylan is actually laughing at the ridiculousness of the random words he's thrown together. When he sings "It's All Over Now Baby Blue", and he sings the lines "yonder stands your orphan with his gun, Crying like a fire in the sun", he looks around and laughs. He knows it's absurd, and it's a game to him. Anyone can play mind games with other people --- the ability and willingness to do so is not the sign of some great genius.

[@keithcrooks7217]

Yes and a songwriter who would become a Nobel prizewinner.

[@sunshinebannister1050]

I love Bob Dylan. I was always inspired by his desire to inspire others to be themselves and stand in their own truth. This is why when asked in an interview once, "what is your message and what does the music mean?" He responded, "what do you think it means and what does it mean to you?". He said," I won't impose something so personal on others". He also said in order to write his music all he needed was 3 chords and the truth. He brought to the surface what people didn't even know they had in them. He was giving people permission to think, be themselves, and stand in your own truth. A great gift❣️🎤🎶🎸😁🥰💖🌹☮️🇺🇲🤗 We are blessed to have you Bob❣️👏👍✌️

[@nancypiccirillo405]

Bob dylan. Even when he speaks he has that certain something. He's a gift to all of us. His words are his words and I love and respect them as well as enjoy them.

[@orangesurfboard2238]

Shout out to the guy who introduces at the start, he sits down and is seemingly delighted at the young Dylan.

[@tracycartwright978]

Bob Dylan one of my favourite musicians, just fantastic, just seeing him speak and watching him makes me smile.

[@astonvillaguy]

33:00 Shout out to my man Allen Ginsberg for contributing the only worthwhile question out of hundreds.

[@selfishstockton6123]

He’s not your man

[@christopherbrunton]

@@selfishstockton6123 alright mate chill lol

[@MegaWeegee64]

I thought that was him!!

[@101FIRE101]

@@christopherbrunton he’s too old for him ginsberg only likes children

[@kelechi_77]

He also makes the joke "do you think there will be a time where you will be hung as a thief?" as a way to mock the other guy that asked the stupid sculpting question lol

[@TheADEROSE]

Bob Dylan high AF and still holding his own.

[@richardeaton6377]

I disagree if you're thinking he's drugged out. He's a "weird" person. Weird then and weird in 2024. Weird is not illegal.

[@YvonneMichelleAutry]

🤩 I am here! Loved the movie! Love ‘KNOCKING ON HEAVEN’S DOOR’! I like it the way GUNS & ROSES rocked it out! But BOB DYLAN’S words are just what I LOVE 🌟

[@roseoneal3196]

His little giggles are so adorable.

[@muirwoods3829]

love him..I think he's a sweetheart..young Dylan was an absolute stunner.

[@PAULLONDEN]

A bit too cute though......he must've felt too comfy with all these kindred spirits.....willing to stick feathers on his cap.....all that loud hoodlum laughter was 'somewhat' too much also...... To think in just two years this cute guy turned into a recluse playing country & western....

[@autumnjoy7004]

He really is adorable.

[@opensecret4451]

@@PAULLONDEN 1965 - where may we ask were you?

[@PAULLONDEN]

*@Justa Sample* By '65 being 14 , I was in virtual hell during first year in "high" school....when one centimeter hair over one's ears was enough to be considered an outlaw.... which inevitably led to further education being a non starter....

[@jamesobrien7338]

That song 'freeze out' he was talking about a 25:25 turned into Visions of Johanna

[@philmole1209]

I was wondering about that, thanks!

[@groengoen]

@@philmole1209 Thanks, that's interesting

[@michaeldonovan4793]

my all time dylan favorite...

[@1DaTJo]

Bob was a very interesting looking young man, quite beautiful in a way. My favourite songwriter of all time.

[@melindamanthey2757]

Somgwriter or plagiarist.

[@melindamanthey2757]

@ Yeah, a leech and she dumped him.

[@doriwiljt]

He was beautiful. It’s his eyes.

[@1DaTJo]

Dori Vee Yes! You can see his ancestry is from where Russia and China meet, with his amazing eyes.

[@bolaoladapo1229]

His voice is sexy as hell and that bedroom hair.

[@JosephCostanzoMUSIC]

who's here after the movie?

[@donkeybutt678]

Mwah

[@CeeJayDee94]

Possibly one of the best interviews of all time.

[@mr.sootgremlin]

The way he mutters “oh my God” after the pretentious introduction seems to sum up the whole situation pretty well 😂

[@93Jubilee]

I love you, Bob Dylan. Your music is aging beautifully. In 1965, I was twelve years old and the highlight of my Christmas gifts that year was the album you're talking about here. Just heard you last night in Cincinnati. Great concert!

[@glenngoodman1166]

What a lovable genius, reflecting love, joy, kindness and spontaneity to a group mystified by his reverence to life

[@alecsavoye2698]

I like the sternness. Different from the over smiley shit on talk shows today. This is honest.

[@jlouis4407]

Before society was feminized

[@mkray922]

Q: If you were to choose a commercial interest to sell out to, what would it be? A: "Lady's Garments" Amazing, I guess he was thinking about that Victoria's Secret commercial for 30 years.

[@gilamonster442]

hahahahahahahaha

[@ladyleesutter]

Ha, I'd totally forgotten about that. The guy's a prophet, for sure. Or knew what he was holding out for, as you commented. This is hilarious.

[@arlingtonhynes]

FWIW, KZbin is giving me a commercial for ladies garments on this. They’ve got a hilariously bad ad algorithm though. Probably an accident.

[@tinapatton7346]

This is '65 - 'VS' launched in '77 - DOH!

[@arlingtonhynes]

Tina Patton Dylan did a Victoria’s Secret ad in 2004. The joke is that in 1965, Dylan certainly wasn’t planning what he’d be doing in 2004. It’s a joke.

[@aliasdyln33]

Bob Dylan expressed himself with stone-cold honesty and confidence to all questions. Whether folks liked his answers or not, it did not fluster him at all. Just follow his eyes - they tell more than words from his mouth, I feel.

[@katieharrison3223]

So amazing to watch him - so young, but still the same man he is today. The press is trying to capture what and who he is. I love that they just can't do it. Its so fun to watch him thinking and talking about songwriting.

[@gpippind]

He was so handsome when he was young!

[@mikefinney423]

10:29 and more than 3 decades later, he did a deal with Victoria's Secret.

[@finosuilleabhain7781]

That was a question about selling out musically: a quite different thing.

[@weltburgeratir9787]

That was our time! I love him.We grew old so quickly, now life is nearly over.

[@patrickwatrin5093]

Imagine how much your generation fucked the country and the rest of us so you and your cohorts could enjoy the good life. I just hope that the boomers will get the same treatment that they gave their own parents. Treated as a burden and had no time for them

[@jamesmack3314]

And Bob is something like 81 and his clock is ticking for sure hard to see him here and looking at him these days…ugh

[@battango]

1:51 "Oh I've thought about it a great deal!" *licks lips while staring intently*

[@johannbogason1662]

"what will this movie be about?" "Just another song." Dylan is too heavy.

[@ZachJenkins]

yeah what a line

[@billrichmond5384]

He may have been thinking of the promotional film for Subterranean Homesick Blues. It's my understanding that the song was recorded earlier in the year, but the film was made later.

[@lachlanneville7138]

He did deliver on his promies when he released the song Hurricane

[@gertanckaert3023]

Johann Bogason not too heavy for me😍

[@jndrummer5131]

There's no better press conferences than The Beatles and Bob Dylan!

[@waynedent5559]

The world comes to me on my little phone through the internet. I see things I missed via disinterest at the time. Bob Dylan was one of those things. Since he seems to have become part of history, I became curious.

[@paulbadoo9326]

His lyrics were impressive, of course. But the music, as he says here, was just as important. He excelled at writing great melodies. The list is endless.

[@BestJanet]

Allen Ginsberg @21:05 - "what is the strangest thing that ever happened to you?"

[@kennethshort2016]

In listening to this interview again there were actually a few good questions and those questions Dylan gave thoughtful engaging answers to.

[@ladyblue498]

When I saw the videos of this particular press conference first time, i fell in love with Bob Dylan...and I still am.... Would do anything to meet him...

[@delilahborns346]

Every year im getting back to this video