Bob Dylan’s birthday is a time to celebrate his profound impact on popular music. However, an often-overlooked aspect of his life is his appreciation for comedy. It’s now known that the iconic singer-songwriter was a significant admirer of the late comedian Norm Macdonald, a fact that surfaced through Macdonald’s own unique storytelling.
The Unlikely Encounter
In 2015, Norm Macdonald shared a detailed account on Twitter about a lunch he had with Bob Dylan. Macdonald described being “summoned” for the meal because Dylan was a fan of his stand-up comedy. This initial meeting led to Macdonald staying overnight in Dylan’s guest house. While Macdonald was “very unknown at the time,” he recounted the experience with his signature surreal, parable-like style, portraying Dylan as a mystical figure offering profound philosophical insights, though he ultimately chose not to elaborate on these in his tweets. The narrative was filled with peculiar details, such as three unnamed musicians eating in silence, a mysterious “girl” preparing a beef stew, and a guard tasked with relaying a story to Macdonald as instructed by Dylan.
A Glimpse into Dylan’s Wisdom
During their time together, Dylan granted Macdonald permission to share one piece of writing advice with his friends: “Don’t be fooled by typists.” This cryptic piece of wisdom, shared from a legend of lyrical artistry to a master of comedic timing, highlights the unexpected depth and unique perspectives both men brought to their respective crafts.
The Truth Behind the Tale
Shortly after posting his Twitter thread, Macdonald deleted it without explanation. This led to speculation about whether he had second thoughts about sharing such a personal encounter or if the story was, in fact, one of his characteristic fabrications. However, after Macdonald’s passing in 2021, producer Frank Smiley confirmed the authenticity of the story in an interview. Smiley revealed that Dylan was indeed a fan of Macdonald’s work and had invited him to his Malibu home, where Macdonald stayed for approximately two days. Smiley emphasized that Macdonald, a huge fan of Dylan himself, considered the experience a significant thrill. He also noted Macdonald’s uncharacteristic reticence about this event, stating that Macdonald, who usually discussed almost everything, rarely spoke of Dylan, underscoring the deep respect he held for the musician.
Shared Traits of Legends
Despite the confirmed reality of their connection, Macdonald maintained an unusually low-key public demeanor regarding his friendship with Dylan. He even went so far as to downplay his appreciation for Dylan, reportedly claiming at a concert that he was only there to see the opening act and “stayed for Bob Dylan,” and that he didn’t know any of Dylan’s songs. This public detachment, contrasted with their documented private interaction, reveals a shared trait of mischievous caginess that defined both these unique artists.
This unexpected friendship between Bob Dylan and Norm Macdonald serves as a compelling reminder of the surprising connections that can form between creative minds, transcending their public personas and demonstrating the enduring power of shared admiration across different artistic disciplines.