China Bans Bob Dylan, Confusing Him for '60s Radical

By PopEater Staff Posted Apr 5th 2010 10:46AM

China Refuses Bob Dylan, Confusing Him for 1960s Radical

It seems China has mistaken today's essentially harmless Bob Dylan with the counterculture hero of the 1960s -- the nation's ministry of culture deemed the icon unfit for concerts in Shanghai and Beijing this spring. As a result, Dylan has canceled the rest of his east Asian tour.

"It was not possible for him just to play concerts in Hong Kong, South Korea and Taiwan," says Jeffrey Wu, of the Taiwan-based promoters Brokers Brothers Herald, in The Guardian. "The chance to play in China was the main attraction for him. When that fell through everything else was called off."

The Chinese gigs would have been a first for Dylan, 68, who still performs about 100 concerts per year.

Wu and various media have speculated the catalyst for China's scrutiny of Dylan likely stems from a 2008 Björk concert, during which the singer chanted, "Tibet! Tibet!" after a song titled 'Declare Independence.' The New York Times writes, "Later that year China imposed rules on such concerts, including one that said, 'Those who used to take part in activities that harm our nation's sovereignty are firmly not allowed to perform in China.'"

The Guardian, which also notes Oasis was refused entry to China last year in light of Noel Gallagher's participation in a Tibet freedom concert more than a decade ago, summed up this ludicrous situation perfectly:

"The Chinese seem to be worried that he might say or sing something politically sensitive, as Björk did in 2008. As if Dylan would. Don't the Chinese know that these days the 68-year-old former protest singer is a respectable golfer who released a Christmas album last year and has even allowed 'Blowin' in the Wind' to be used as the soundtrack of a TV commercial?"

Rolling Stone reports Dylan will play his next live show in Greece this May, kicking off a European tour.

Below, a video of Dylan performing 'The Times They Are a-Changin' at the White House earlier this year. Controversial stuff, no?

Tags: bob dylan, china

Comments

(7)

Monday 05 April

By Bill

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Dylan is as dangerous today as he was yesterday.

By Vivian M

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I paid to see him and loved every minute of it! I grew up with his music and last bought his Christmas album. Sure he's not the same singer he was in the sixties, but I doubt very much if you even knew his songs from then. You are the one who sucks. You don't regonize an American Legend when you see one.

By michael

Dylan...a weirdo then...a weirdo now. I just don't understand his following. Like he is some kind of guru or something... Just weird. Guess I am just not weird enough to appreciate him. My IQ is above average...can't be that.

By New Yawk, New Yawk

@ michael;;; Who besides yourself says your IQ is above average??? You sir do not need to understand his following. Just like many of us can't understand the CULT followings of Glenn Beck or Rush Limbaugh. Unlike both Beck and Rush, Dylan was and still is popluar with the COLLEGE crowd then and NOW. As we have been told, Tea Bagers are among the most UNEDUCATED voters there are. Hence the will follow anything, even HEE HAW..One does not stay round as long as Dylan has for no reason. If YOU don't like him, SIMPLE....Don't listen..Thats what CHOICE can do for you..As for Beck and Rush, i only watch & listen to them when i need to laugh...

Thursday 02 September

By mojo

but how high above average is your IQ mine is 137 and i've been a dylan fan since hearing him in the village too many years ago. every once in a while i pick up a new meaning for a line in one of his songs. that's the magnetism of dylan, he always keeps you on your toes. one thing i agree on is he should retire, his voice is shot from too many cigarettes and booze. he should take time to visit his many homes around the world and sit back and realize all he's done.

By shlockomania

Still gets to me. The baby boomers should take the hint, they are grey haired old carbon footprints. They've destroyed every institution except folk rock. Send'em to the dinosaurs.

Monday 24 May

By Chas

You sure this is the real story? In China the music insiders are saying the concerts were canceled due to promoters flipping the shows with too much mark-up making Are concert not viable.

This story broke in February when Dylan concert ticket gateways quietly canceled.

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