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Dylan mystique draws fans
Written by Al Beeber
Thursday, 30 October 2008

He may be in his 60s but the appeal of American music icon Bob Dylan knows no boundaries. Fans crossing a wide spectrum showed up early for a near capacity show at the Enmax Centre Thursday night to see a true legend.
Dylan, an artist who has influenced generations, was making his first appearance in Lethbridge with a portion of proceeds going to the Raise-A-Reader program for literacy. Funds raised at last night’s show will go toward the new westside library.
The 67-year-old Dylan transformed music over the decades as he bridged the folk and rock genres, inspiring many other artists. His sound has evolved over the years and its influence on many levels is immeasurable.
Fans, both young and old, said they were looking forward to both his electrified and acoustic material.
“I grew up with him in the ’60s and ’70s. He’s influenced so many other guys. He’s a pioneer in the music industry, he’s a legend,” said Andy Krajewski, a middle-aged Lethbridge resident who brought his teenaged son Daniel to the concert.
The father-son duo were among many who waited in line to be checked by security. One father brought a couple of elementary-school aged children. One 20-year-old who didn’t want his name used said he bought tickets even though he had not heard any of Dylan’s music.
“I’m just a music fan,”he said.
Medicine Hat school vice-principal John Grimes missed a pumpkin carving to drive west for the show but he wasn’t planning to skip any classes today. The Dylan concert was his first at the Enmax Centre and he had to come solo because his wife was unable to attend.
One American woman, who didn’t want her name used, has followed Dylan on his western Canadian swing and said his music is clearly attracting younger generations of fans.
“They’re getting converted, they’re starting to get converted,” the woman said. And Canadian fans, she said, are starting to be less reserved, standing up more often than usual, instead of sitting quietly and respectfully in their seats. Another first-timer to the Enmax Centre, she was looking forward to the sight lines offered in the arena but regardless, she said tickets here are a bargain compared to other venues.
She said fans weren’t following Dylan around as they once did, citing high gas prices as a deterrent.
Bob Helgesen, a native of Sweden who listened to Dylan in his home country growing up, was hoping to hear the artist’s work from his acoustic years before he shocked the folk world, alienating many in the process — by performing with electric instrumentation.
Helgesen has “every record and CD” of Dylan, according to his wife.
“I preferred him before he went electric so hopefully we hear some acoustic songs,” said the 56-year-old Helgesen.
One fan, who identified himself only as Randy, said performances in Lethbridge by artists such as Dylan is bringing back memories of the 1970s when many artists performed here.
“All the bands used to come here; Doucette, Cheap Trick. . .this a good start, a really good start. I like the smaller venues, he said.
“I grew up with Dylan. He’s had an influence on a thousand careers.”