Expecting Rain

This message from Bob just appeared on his website:

He was my bosom buddy friend to the end, one of the last true great spirits of my or any other generation. This is just so sad to talk about. I still can remember the first day I met him and the last day I saw him. We go back pretty far and had been through some trials together. I'm going to miss him, as I'm sure a whole lot of others will too.

http://www.bobdylan.com/us/news/respons ... 9s-passing

Edit: thanks goombay for pointing it out

sheesh, sorry Bob

It must've been hard for him to perform today.

I bet it was. So sad to lose your friends.

"All the people we used to know
They're an illusion to me now."

While riding on a train goin’ west
I fell asleep for to take my rest
I dreamed a dream that made me sad
Concerning myself and the first few friends I had

With half-damp eyes I stared to the room
Where my friends and I spent many an afternoon
Where we together weathered many a storm
Laughin’ and singin’ till the early hours of the morn

By the old wooden stove where our hats was hung
Our words were told, our songs were sung
Where we longed for nothin’ and were quite satisfied
Talkin’ and a-jokin’ about the world outside

With haunted hearts through the heat and cold
We never thought we could ever get old
We thought we could sit forever in fun
But our chances really was a million to one

As easy it was to tell black from white
It was all that easy to tell wrong from right
And our choices were few and the thought never hit
That the one road we traveled would ever shatter and split

How many a year has passed and gone
And many a gamble has been lost and won
And many a road taken by many a friend
And each one I’ve never seen again

I wish, I wish, I wish in vain
That we could sit simply in that room again
Ten thousand dollars at the drop of a hat
I’d give it all gladly if our lives could be like that

Copyright © 1963, 1964 by Warner Bros. Inc.; renewed 1991, 1992 by Special Rider Music

Can't stop listening to this song.

agreed... sheesh

I like the statement; a song for Levon yesterday or today would have been nice too. Well, there's always April 21st, his next concert in Brazil. It was a really nice statement. Love, Joanna XOXOX

I can remember the first day I met Milky too and the last time I saw her! For some reason, I am mad at Bob right now and and feeling very sarcastic. Love, Joanna XOXO P.S. I really liked meeting Milky!

why are you mad at him?

He just sometimes seems so emotionless and I think he should have sung something for him; maybe he did mention him at the concert - who knows? Really, I shouldn't be mad at him; it was so long ago that they were together and they probably weren't close still. The statement was nice, but Hal put this up on another thread and it is from Ronnie Hawkins and it is funny and heartbreaking.
http://pmd.680news.com/podcasts/globiz/ ... -04-19.mp3
Love, Joanna XOXOX

P.S. Giada, I get mad at Bob quite frequently! Love, Joanna XOXO

This is the song that comes to mind whenever I lose someone dear. Maybe it's on Bob's mind tonight...

http://fan.tcm.com/_Bob-Dylan-He-Was-a- ... 66470.html

That was the best day of ur life then the last time u saw me was the saddest. Just kidding.

I truly believe Levon's death upset him, Johanna. I'd call him on it if I though he was full of crap. I really didn't get that impression. I felt really sorry when I read his message and I don't know either one of them.

Yes, I am sure it upset him; I am no longer mad at him - like he cares! People deal differently with grief and maybe he couldn't sing anything for him. I am not sure that I could if I was Bob now that I think about it; he might have been too upset to continue the concert. I would have been. No, it was a heartfelt statement and Bob is a professional; he always goes onstage. The only time he has cancelled in the last five years was Phoenix when he had to play outside at 5 PM and it was 105 degrees at least. Now I am mad at him again! He had to cancel Phoenix????? He came back later that year; I remember clearly now why I love him; that was a great night; one of the best of my life! It was also one of the best days of my life when I met you! At least it was one of the best days in this past decade. I was sorry when you left; I really wanted to go to Vegas with you and your parents and I wished and still do wish that you lived here. I am glad he didn't cancel Tucson because it was HOT, but Phoenix was HOTTER (inside)!!! I will never forget that night or the next! Where are the Great White pictures??? I need a laught. I grew up with The Band. When I met some guys when I was young that played with Bob, I was more impressed that they had played with The Band on some sessions! Playing with The Band REALLY impressed me; Bob, not so much. I didn't appreciate and love Bob then like I do now, but I was young and I had never heard of Special Rider Music!!!! Love You Milky, Joanna XOXXO

[quote="J0hanna4Ever"]Yes, I am sure it upset him; I am no longer mad at him - like he cares! People deal differently with grief and maybe he couldn't sing anything for him.

Sometimes it is better if you can stick to a routine instead of getting too emotional - espeacially in the public.

You are right Ginger. Don't worry; I am not allowed out alone! Bob is a total professional these days and I think he has to be to maintain the schedule he has. I can imagine what the reporters would say if he got emotional onstage. At first they would be sympathetic and then as time went by, it would be Bob Dylan's Nervous Breakdown On Stage. Kind of like the Bob Dylan Worships The Devil thing - stupid! Also, when you have a death of someone you knew well, it sometimes takes a while for it to sink in. I am sure Bob is thinking about a lot of stuff right now and he is very sad; I think the song Giada put up says it best. Love, Joanna XXOX

All I friends I ever had are gone

A short but fittingly sweet comment by Bob.

Must be hard when you see friends go like this and are still standing - epecially in a profession where checking out young is par for the course.

I am sad hearing about Levon´s death. deep sympathy with all who love him. I (we) know that Bob Dylan is sad. I would not want to see Bob Dylan crying on the stage, anyway. It would be just tooo saaaad. I admire his strength, it must be very difficult to sing. Have you ever tried to sing when you were just about to cry? And think some thousand people waiting to see you singing - maybe the best day of their lives. I think it is scary...

Yes, I agree.... as you look back at the pics of from long ago.... both of the famous and those that you personally know it is just impossible to figure out who will our run the rest in years......

This made me think about my mortality. I realize what Bob did was right and for him, life and touring must go on. He is probably very sad as most of us are and thinking about his mortality too! Oh, I hate to even write that. Love, Joanna XOXO

Benny, where were you yesterday when I needed your voice of reason? I was very sad indeed. Now, if you can just tell me definitively "who broke the f_____ glass" you will forever be Master of All Things Regarding Bob. Well, you already are actually, but I would like to know. Do you know why The Band and Bob drifted apart? Perhaps The Band were becoming too big in their own rights?? Any insights or stories that you remember would be appreciated. Love, Joanna XXOXO

could bob's statement be any more emotionally flat or lifeless and impersonal. he should find a new lackey to do these kinds of things for him

That was my first response Elmer and it made me very mad last night as you can see if you ever read my posts, but in retrospect, I think it is a perfect response. I just watched the Last Waltz; I don't think Bob was any happier than the time spent in Woodstock with those guys. He is also watching his life fly by; I don't really think he could have gotten up on stage and sang "We will be released." I, at the time, thought it was emotionless and cold; I don't any longer. Bob has always kept his feelings bottled up. I think he may be in shock also. Go and watch The Last Waltz; you will feel better! I am not crying anymore and all I remember is how much I loved The Band and how much Dylan and The Band loved each other. Love, Joanna XOXO

Nevertheless ...

Levon was an important person in Bob's past life, certainly.

And I think now is not the time to criticize Bob's response to this loss.

Judge not ...