Bob Dylan requested tighter security for his current tour, but he didn't expect to be held up at the door before his own show because he didn't have a backstage pass. On 17 October 1971.
When he arrived backstage for the concert at the Jackson County Exposition Centre in Central Point, Oregon, security guards asked to see his pass. When he said that he did not have one because he was Bob Dylan, they laughed and replied that they were Santa Claus: no pass, buddy, no admission.
It is not clear whether Dylan was more upset about not being recognised than angry at the officiousness of the two guards.
It wasn't clear whether the three security guards, all in their 30s, recognized Dylan. "If it was George Strait, they probably would have recognized him," said venue manager Chris Borovansky.
But even if they knew who Dylan was, the guards had strict orders from Dylan's security director that no one -- no one -- was to get backstage without an official credential. "He said no exceptions," Borovansky said. "Absolutely none."
So when a slight, wild-haired man tried to walk through the checkpoint, the guards stopped him. Dylan was surprised, and a brief scene ensued. One of the guards put her hands up and gently stopped Dylan. After his security director came over, incensed, both he and Dylan demanded that the guards be thrown out.
He said no exceptions," venue manager Chris Borovansky said. "Absolutely none."
Borovansky complied, although he said, "We prefer the term 'relocated."' But he said he later told the guards they did "a great job."
