A fairly straightforward interview by Ed Bradley. It seems that Dylan got fairly fed up with the media glare by the mid-60s and never even saw himself or his songs as "the voice of the generation." He seems like a rather low-key guy which is refreshing in this day & age.
That's it? In the commercials they made it sound like he was going to drop a bombshell. But all he had to say is "I don't know what all the fuss over me is about" ? Sounds boring.
It wasn't. I love that he admitted he can't match the quality of what he did in his early years. That he can't match the "magic" now, but he can do something else. But it's kinda ballsy to admit he can't match BOB or H61.
What struck me about the interview was how his fame has sort of turned him into an antisocial recluse. He shuns the spotlight, lost his marriage over it and won't even go out to a restaurant for fear of people approaching him. He still has a sharp brilliant mind and admits that he can't write the songs he did in his youth but he's willing to tour to validate his work. I've really never been a BIG fan of his but do admire his work. I don't think it would be unjust for him to get the Nobel Prize. Another thing I found really interesting was when he said he knew all along he was destined for his life and fame. He knew where he was going and how he was going to get there but kept it to himself to keep people from mocking or shooting down his vision. The way he stated it didn't come out at all as egotistical but solemn and self aware.
Does anyone know if any other songwriters have been nominated before? If so, then it would seem appropriate if not overdue. But if they are just trying to find a category to shoehorn Dylan into a Nobel prize, then it's probably silly. BTW, I'm assuming the nomination is for his songs; not his book. If it's his book, then it's a big mistake. I'm enjoying the book but it isn't prize-worthy.