Why Doesn't Bob Dylan Play Guitar Onstage Anymore?

I know there are theories, many of which harken back to his old motorcycle accident in 1966 and the damage he received to his neck, but does anyone know why, beginning in 2002, Bob Dylan first started paying piano onstage, at first in addition to his guitar playing, and by the late 2000's, when he'd completely stopped playing guitar onstage at all? For the last few years, he's actually been playing a concert grand after spending the previous decade playing an electric keyboard of some sort. I'm pretty sure he still plays guitar on his studio albums — to what degree, I don't know — but the piano has become his primary instrument second on;y to his voice. Does anyone have any insight into this? I don't think he's ever been asked about it in interviews and it's a pretty big change.

 

Hang on, let me ask him.

 

I saw him in Hong Kong a few years ago. Pretty sure he was strumming a guitar for some songs there.

 

What did he say?

 

Not since the mid-2000s ...

 

I heard carpel tunnel as a rumor, but when I interviewed him he said he just wanted a change. I'll see if I can find the direct quote.

 

Maybe Bob's just getting lazy in his old age. When I saw him he played keys a little but it was still mind f****** blowing.

 

Unsure; he mumbled so much it was unintelligible.

 

Robert Zimmerman still plays guitar, Bob Dylan not so much.

 

Good as I Been To You and World Gone Wrong. There's the answer.

 

Lazy? At his age, how many other people do you know who are working as much as he does?

 

because he doesn't want to

 

He kept playing guitar on at least a couple songs up through October 2012. The last show he held a guitar was October 10, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, where he played guitar on "Simple Twist of Fate". He played that song with great frequency but dropped it from the setlist. The next time he played that tune it was eight months later and he was parked behind his grand piano.

My guess is it's something health related. Probably his hands, maybe some arthritis. I doubt it's because he's tired of playing the guitar. At his peak in the early '00s, I thought he'd worked up a really nifty, super-primitive, one-, two-, or three-notes-if-you're-lucky lead guitar style. I miss it.

 

The rumor I heard was it was related to his back. Not sure if it's credible.

 

That he's Bob F'n Dylan and he'll play what he feels like.

 

Arthritis

 

i've always thought he was a solid guitar player, but what do i know? i've only been playing for 25 years.

 

Last time he played guitar was for the first song at chicagos fall 2012 show at United center

 

I think that was his new song that he was singing for you.

 

Track down some shows from 2000-2002 or so. He played lead on many songs and it was stunning.

 

I stand corrected on the last time being Calgary. You are correct: "Sweet Home Chicago" in Chicago, IL, November 9, 2012.

 

Really? I could have sworn I have pictures from around 2012 or so when he played in Hong Kong...playing guitar. I'll have to check my photos.

 

Actually he is a fairly underrated guitarist. Especially fingerpicking. Also, I forget who it was that said it but they kind of felt the same way about Bob. That he couldnt play. Then they were invited to a session and said something to the effect of "Bob knows so many chords its ridiculous. Hes like a walking chord book." Then there is the incident during the recording of Desire that he wanted the mandolin player to play a specific way. The musician couldnt get it right, so Bob went over and took the mandolin and played the part.

The out of tune a rudementary style he plays with now is purposeful. He admired Merle Haggards one string running style. The out of tune sound along with some unconventional chording he picked up in a jazz club he claims to have heard this guy playing in. Said it transformed his style. And reinvented/revived his career direction at a time he thought he might just retire during the 90s.

So yeah, he can play. And play well in his style.

 

The best later years imo. About 1998-2002. On top of his game and a crack band. Best he ever had. Saw him 3 times during that era. Not near enough.

 

j

The song that Dylan wanted the mandolin part to sound like and demonstrated, was "If you see her say hello", on "Blood on the Tracks".
Dylan was an inventive, creative guitar player.
Witness the tunings he utilized on "Blood", and his early acoustic recordings.

In addition, I have seen him play the guitar when I was a few feet from the stage, and he is very competent on the instrument.
And as others have mentioned, his solo guitar albums from the early 90s display his ability.