Shortly before Bob Dylan took the stage at The Last Waltz in November 1976, he turned to concert promoter Bill Graham and told him he’d only play if Martin Scorsese’s camera crew agreed to film just two of the four songs he planned to play during his set. “I’m going to put Louie on stage next to you and Marty,” Dylan said. “He will tell you when you can film me.” (Source Rolling Stone)
It was at summer camp in northern Wisconsin in 1953 that I first met Bobby Zimmerman from Hibbing. He was twelve years old and he had a guitar. He would go around telling everybody that he was going to be a rock-and-roll star. I was eleven and I believed him. Excerpt from https://www.dylanandme.com/inside-the-book)
As Bobby Zimmerman became Bob Dylan and Louie Kemp built a successful international business, their lives diverged but their friendship held fast. No matter how much time passed between one adventure and the next, the two “boys from the North Country” picked up where they left off and shared experiences that will surprise and delight Dylan fans and anybody who loves a rollicking-good rock-and-roll memoir.
From little Bobby’s very first public appearance (on a roof at Herzl Camp) through his formative years in Minnesota and New York and his rise to global superstardom, Louie Kemp was by his side—a trusted ally and confidant as Bob figured out how to share his gifts without compromising who he was. Louie produced Bob’s groundbreaking Rolling Thunder Revue—described in riveting detail here—and traveled with him in the rarefied world of the rock star, but he also shared quiet moments and intimate experiences. When Louie got married, Bob was his best man; when Bob questioned his Jewish faith, Louie brought him back to the fold. And that is just a small sample of the never-before-told, up-close-and-personal stories in this eye-opening book. Ever wonder what it might be like to attend a Passover Seder with Bob Dylan and Marlon Brando? Or go on a Mexican vacation with Bob Dylan, Dennis Hopper, and Harry Dean Stanton? Or get into a public food fight with Joan Baez? Read on.
Louie’s own words best describe the relationship at the heart of Dylan & Me: “We have always had open minds, taken risks, helped the underdog. We have laughed at the same jokes and confided our deepest thoughts and fears. We have never needed anything from each other but have always been there for each other.” What better definition of friendship could anybody want?
Coming off “Tour ’74,” Bobby’s creative juices were flowing big time. When I came back from Alaska in July, I went to see Bobby at his place outside Minneapolis, and he played me the songs he had written. These would constitute his critically acclaimed albumBlood on the Tracks, and I was one of the first people to hear them.
“Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young are playing tonight in Saint Paul,” he said. “Do you want to go with me?”
We went to the concert, which was at the Saint Paul Civic Center. Afterwards, we went to the hotel where the band was staying. Bill Graham and Barry Imhoff were the tour promoters, so we had a chance to see and visit with them again. After a while, Bobby mentioned to Stephen Stills that he had just written some new songs and of course Stephen wanted to hear them. So Bobby, Stephen, and I went into the bedroom of the suite and Bobby played a few things.
Stephen was obviously loaded, and when Bobby sang “Idiot Wind,” he became paranoid and very agitated.
“Relax, man; the song’s not about you”
“You wrote that song about me!” he shouted. “Why did you write that song about me?”
He jumped up and got right in Bobby’s face. As Bobby’s friend and self-appointed protector, I jumped in between them so Stephen couldn’t get any closer. Carefully, I eased Stephen back.
Bobby just laughed and said, “Relax, man; the song’s not about you,” as he continued to sing and strum without missing a beat.
