Bob Dylan, 82, issues brilliant response to heckler who yelled 'play something we know' at recent gig

Bob Dylan, 82, issues brilliant response to heckler who yelled 'play something we know' at recent gig

WATCH HERE: Bob Dylan awarded lifetime achievement award at 1991 Grammys

Alex Davies

By Alex Davies


Published: 07/03/2024

- 15:33

Updated: 08/03/2024

- 08:30

The 82-year-old took to the stage in Fort Lauderdale earlier this month

Legendary singer-songwriter Bob Dylan appeared to have the best response to a dissatisfied concertgoer during a recent gig.

The 82-year-old, whose discography includes classic hits including Blowin' In the Wind and Like A Rolling Stone, was performing for the crowds at the Broward Center For The Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on March 1 when the incident unravelled.


Dylan's appearance was the latest in a string of gigs he's been performing as part of his Rough and Rowdy Ways tour.

While the vast majority of paying attendees appeared to revel in the presence of the iconic singer, footage that has emerged from the gig appears to show someone was an exception to the rule.

Just a few songs into his set as Dylan was teeing up his next performance, a heckler in the crowd shouted at the 82-year-old: "Play something we know."

The song he was about to perform was a rendition of his 1971 classic When I Paint My Masterpiece and another concertgoer has revealed exactly how Dylan dealt with the uninvited critique.

Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan is currently touring his Rough and Rowdy Ways tour

GETTY

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, one social media shared footage of the moment along with the caption: "This is WILD.

"At Bob Dylan's concert in Ft Lauderdale on Friday, a woman yells 'Play something we know!' Dylan then launches into a new arrangement of When I Paint My Masterpiece where he sings the lyrics to the tune of Irving Berlin's Puttin' on the Ritz!

"My brother, who was there up close, said Dylan clearly heard the woman, looked right at her and looked like he was about to say something before he began the song. It's an absolutely incredible version!"

Applauding Dylan's demeanour and decision to shut the heckler down with the unique take on a classic, they added: "I'm not implying that Dylan came up with that arrangement on the spot. He and the band had clearly worked it out in advance.

"But it does feel as if he's playing it directly in response to what she said," they added before praising: "It's the ultimate rebuttal."

The X user wasn't alone in thinking Dylan had issued the "ultimate rebuttal" to the heckler as several fans quickly praised the singer on the social media site.

"Genius," one person replied before a second weighed in: "Brilliant!..as predicted. No-one like Bob."

A third pointed out: "Didn’t she know, every song he plays, we know, they’re his #masterpieces and we know every one of them..."

Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan appeared to shut down the heckler at his gig

GETTY

While a fourth shared a laughing emoji alongside their post: "Bit of Dylan Magic, nobody tells Bob what to play."

And another similarly applauded the hitmaker: "Wow this really is wild, amazing rendition too! Gotta give it to Bob Dylan for never giving a rat's a**." (sic)

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