The Bob Dylan Steve Cropper Connection

 

Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, and Steve Cropper

at the 1992 Tribute Concert to Dylan at Madison Square Garden

Sadly, so many musicians of the 1960s have passed away.  Yesterday, we found out that Steve Cropper, best known as a member of Booker T and the MGs, died at age 84.  He appeared with Dylan and other musicians at the 30th Anniversary Concert for Bob Dylan.

Obituary in The New York Times

Giving Tuesday Created Email Overload

 

We had Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday, and now Giving Tuesday.  It was created in 2012 as a global generosity movement unleashing the power of radical generosity.  Over the years I have donated to several reputable charities in amounts up to $100.  These include cultural organizations, not-for-profit radio stations, universities, food banks, and medical institutions.  I trust that all of these entities minimize their administrative costs and overhead.

All of these organizations ask for home address, email address, and cell phone number.  It seems that it is easiest to make a pitch for a donation via email.  Thus, over the past few days, I have spent much time deleting emails.  I did donate to one medical organization yesterday.  Once you donate to one group, they constantly ask for more money.  I get many snail mails, text messages, and even phone calls asking for donations.

Fanatics or Just Fans of Bob Dylan

 

A fanatic is a person filled with excessive and single-minded zeal, especially for an extreme religious or political cause.  This can be applied to a hobby or a similar pursuit.

A fan shows a strong and enthusiastic liking for their chosen person, group, or thing.

I am aware of some Bob Dylan fanatics that I have encountered, mostly from social media.  To protect the innocent, I will not give names. “S” has attended 359 concerts since 1988 and 141 on the Rough and Rowdy Ways Tour.  She has certainly spent a lot of money chasing Dylan around the world. “Z” made a special trip from Germany to Washington state to see Dylan on his birthday.  “Y" traveled from Chicago to see a preview of the film A Complete Unknown a few weeks before its release.  Other people have seen the movie umpteen times.

There are also Bob Dylan scholars who have monetized their enthusiasm by writing books and teaching courses about him.  I consider them fanatics.  Others have Dylan-related podcasts.

I consider myself a fan since I only see one Dylan concert a year and would not travel outside the NYC area to see a concert.  I do have an extensive collection of records, tapes, CDs, and videos.

I doubt if Dylan appreciates the enthusiasm of his fans, scholars, and fanatics.  He never talks to the audience, nor does he give interviews.  When I saw him at Jones Beach, the video screens were off when he performed.  The point of going to a concert is to see the performer.  He wore a hoodie, partially hiding his face at other concerts.