The Esquire copy of Tony Glover's completed 1971 interview with Bob Dylan, comprising a two-page "Notes on the Interview" document setting the scene plus a final draft of the 46-page interview. The first page is signed at the top in blue ballpoint by Dylan, "Bob Dylan," as approved for publication; it is also marked "E" in the corner, identifying it as the Esquire copy. In the introductory notes, Glover outlines the "sometimes surrealistic" process of arranging and conducting the interview, held over the course of three days in Dylan's Greenwich Village studio/office in March 1971. He makes note of Dylan's interview style—"He preferred to discuss the things he knows best—music and his life in it—usually parrying questions of current 'social' topics with a gentle sarcasm"—and concludes that the "main impression he gave was that of a man refusing to be categorized." Summarizing the interview, Glover observes that "on some matters Dylan remains invisible, in others he reveals a good deal more than he has ever before."
Interestingly—although he does discuss the arduous legal matters involved in arranging the interview, and calls it "one of the most demanding and enjoyable rides I've ever head"—Glover does not reveal that he ceded total control of the manuscript to Dylan, allowing him to edit and re-edit the material prior to publication. This was a process that continued even in this final, "approved" draft—Dylan makes several changes throughout the transcript ballpoint and black felt tip; a number of edits are also in Glover's hand.
On the eighth page, asked whether his manager Al Grossman suggested what songs to sing, Dylan initially replied "Never!," and here he adds in blue ballpoint: "He just took big percentages." On the next page, asked why he first made records, he initially replied, "At that time they were sort of like a document," and here he adds in black felt tip, "Also, I wanted to be famous." Editing a story about a 'big chick' storming the stage at the infamous 'Judas' concert in Manchester (1966), he changes the simple word 'came' to the more visually descriptive "poured"; on the same page, Glover writes the word "twin" to describe folk singer-songwriter David Blue. In discussing Anthony Scaduto's biography of him, Dylan crosses out his two-line response to the question "Isn't it weird to have things based on talking to everybody who ever knew you for five minutes?," and writes: "It sure is." Adding to a list of potential tracks for a 'Best of Bob Dylan' album, he adds, "4th Time Around." Touching on authors he's read who have changed him, he adds "William Carlos Williams" and "Tolstoy." In fine condition.
From the Tony Glover Collection.
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