Bob who?

[aldiboronti]

Rock legend Bob Dylan was treated like a complete unknown by police in a New Jersey shore community when a resident called to report someone wandering around the neighborhood.

The incident began at 5 p.m. when a resident said a man was wandering around a low-income, predominantly minority neighborhood several blocks from the oceanfront looking at houses.

The police officer drove up to Dylan, who was wearing a blue jacket, and asked him his name. According to Woolley, the following exchange ensued:

“What is your name, sir?” the officer asked.

“Bob Dylan,” Dylan said.

“OK, what are you doing here?” the officer asked.

“I’m on tour,” the singer replied.

A second officer, also in his 20s, responded to assist the first officer. He, too, apparently was unfamiliar with Dylan, Woolley said.

The officers asked Dylan for identification. The singer of such classics as “Like a Rolling Stone” and “Blowin’ in the Wind” said that he didn’t have any ID with him, that he was just walking around looking at houses to pass some time before that night’s show.

The officers asked Dylan, 68, to accompany them back to the Ocean Place Resort and Spa, where the performers were staying. Once there, tour staff vouched for Dylan.

Link.

I don’t suppose I should be surprised at this. Even though Dylan is a legend to my generation I guess the times they are a’changing.

But even so. Damn it, I am surprised. Come on, guys, this is* Bob Dylan*! Can it really be true that a lot of people in their 20s just wouldn’t have heard of him?

God, I feel old!

[Cisco]

I don’t see why this is such a big deal.

1. Dylan is notorious for looking like a bum

2. There are people whose work I am familar with that I would never recognize. Legends, even.

[Justin_Bailey]

@Cisco

1. Dylan is notorious for looking like a bum

2. There are people whose work I am familar with that I would never recognize. Legends, even.

Not to mention…

3. “Bob Dylan” is probably a pretty common name. If someone told me their name was Bob Dylan, it would never cross my mind to think they were the Bob Dylan.

[MPB_in_Salt_Lake]

@aldiboronti

Link.

I don’t suppose I should be surprised at this. Even though Dylan is a legend to my generation I guess the times they are a’changing.

But even so. Damn it, I am surprised. Come on, guys, this is* Bob Dylan*! Can it really be true that a lot of people in their 20s just wouldn’t have heard of him?

God, I feel old!

The last few times I have seen Bob Dylan live in concert, there has been a pretty sizeable minority of 20-somethings in attendance, and occasionally, depending on what specific city the show was held in, there was (in my estimate) about an equal amount of teens, 20 and 30 year olds as there were 40, 50 and 60+ year old fans…
It is NOT just aging baby boomers who make up the audience for Dylan’s timeless music.
For the record, I am 39.

[zombywoof]

The cops might certainly have heard of him, but not have been familiar enough to know if it was really him or some crazy old dude with no ID wandering around who thinks he’s Bob Dylan.

My quesion is, is it somehow illegal to go for a walk on a public street with no ID? What if he’d said no to their offer of a ride?

[sinjin]

Bob who?

Bob’s your Uncle!!

Or my son’s boa constricter. What?

[Dallas_Jones]

@zombywoof

My quesion is, is it somehow illegal to go for a walk on a public street with no ID? What if he’d said no to their offer of a ride?

The crime is called ‘Failure to carry and present’.

You are expected to present ID when asked for by the police and can be cited for not doing so. I have a link where I read the local police report every morning and people get cited all the time for not carrying ID.

[Horatio_Hellpop]

@zombywoof

My quesion is, is it somehow illegal to go for a walk on a public street with no ID? What if he’d said no to their offer of a ride?

The police were responding to a resident’s complaint, not looking for old coots to hassle, and the resident was likely afraid that some clueless old white guy had wandered into the wrong neighborhood. No law was broken, but the concern was legitimate.

[Notorious_Nik]

You know, I’m fairly certain some talentless bum by the same name headlined a concert in my local minor league ballpark tonight with Willie Nelson and John Melencamp. They should have arrested him for stealing the money of anyone who went to see the show.

[TWDuke]

@ghardester

The crime is called ‘Failure to carry and present’.

You are expected to present ID when asked for by the police and can be cited for not doing so. I have a link where I read the local police report every morning and people get cited all the time for not carrying ID.

Where is that? I can understand the police taking someone in if they have probably cause for suspicion, but the idea that people can actually be *cited * for a crime, misdemeanor or infraction for not having ID on them in while on a casual stroll in a public area seems remarkably oppressive.

The first several references I turned up for failure to carry and/or present all referred to operating a motor vehicle, e.g. Oregon Statutes - Chapter 807 - Driving Privileges and Identification Cards - Section 807.570 - Failure to carry or present license; penalty. - Legal Research

[Little_Nemo]

The crime is called ‘Failure to carry and present’.

You are expected to present ID when asked for by the police and can be cited for not doing so. I have a link where I read the local police report every morning and people get cited all the time for not carrying ID.

What TWDuke said. ‘Failure to carry and present’ only applies if you’re operating a motor vehicle. Then you’re required to have your license present. (It can also apply in some other unusual situations like when you’re fishing and are required to have your fishing permit on you.) There’s no law requiring you to carry or produce ID when you’re walking down a public street.

[Cisco]

@MPB_in_Salt_Lake

The last few times I have seen Bob Dylan live in concert, there has been a pretty sizeable minority of 20-somethings in attendance, and occasionally, depending on what specific city the show was held in, there was (in my estimate) about an equal amount of teens, 20 and 30 year olds as there were 40, 50 and 60+ year old fans…
It is NOT just aging baby boomers who make up the audience for Dylan’s timeless music.
For the record, I am 39.

Shit, that makes you about the oldest Bob Dylan fan I’ve ever met. Most people older than you find him annoying in my experience*. My dad hung out with him for a few days last year and still doesn’t care for more than a couple of his songs.
*You don’t have to prove to me that Bob Dylan has fans over 40. I am well aware of that. I just never seem to meet them, whereas his younger fans are particularly outspoken about their love for him.

[Snowboarder_Bo]

I was intrigued enough by this story to seek other news sources, and due to what I found I had some questions about this incident. Not wanting to hijack this thread, I asked my questions in this thread in GD.

[Dallas_Jones]

@TWDuke

Where is that? I can understand the police taking someone in if they have probably cause for suspicion, but the idea that people can actually be *cited * for a crime, misdemeanor or infraction for not having ID on them in while on a casual stroll in a public area seems remarkably oppressive.

The first several references I turned up for failure to carry and/or present all referred to operating a motor vehicle, e.g. Oregon Statutes - Chapter 807 - Driving Privileges and Identification Cards - Section 807.570 - Failure to carry or present license; penalty. - Legal Research

Here is one from this week. Look’s like it does involve a traffic stop. So you may be right. After a further search I did not find a case that involved walking. I stand corrected.
http://www.astoriadispatch.org/posted/458/Thursday_Press_Log.310369.htm

[panache45]

@Cisco

Shit, that makes you about the oldest Bob Dylan fan I’ve ever met.

I’m 63, and consider myself a Bob Dylan fan. Of course I’m only referring to the music he did in the '60s, when I saw him live a few times. Since then . . . well, at least he *used to be *Bob Dylan.