Bob Dylan's London Detour

The annals of music history are often peppered with apocryphal tales, stories that blur the lines between fact and fiction, legend and reality. One such intriguing narrative involves none other than the enigmatic Bob Dylan and a rather unexpected detour during a visit to London. The tale, which gained significant traction through its dramatisation in the Sky Arts series 'Urban Myths', centres on a supposed visit by Dylan to the home of Eurythmics' Dave Stewart.

The Unintended Destination

The story, as recounted by Dave Stewart himself to journalist Tony Barrell, begins with Dylan arriving in London in the mid-1980s, intending to visit Stewart at his then-residence. Dylan, having been given Stewart's address, relayed it to a taxi driver. However, a slight miscommunication or perhaps a phonetic similarity in street names led Dylan not to Dave Stewart's actual home, but to a house on a road with a similar name. The exact location remains a subject of playful debate, with possibilities including Randolph Crescent, Randolph Mews, or simply Randolph Road, as opposed to Stewart's known address on Randolph Avenue in Maida Vale.

Upon arriving, Dylan knocked on the door of a house that, while perhaps the correct number, was in the wrong street. A woman answered the door, and to her astonishment, found herself face-to-face with the legendary Bob Dylan. Dylan, expecting to meet Dave Stewart, informed the woman of his purpose. It transpired that the woman's husband was also named Dave. She explained that her Dave was out at the moment but would be returning shortly. In a gesture of hospitality, she invited the unexpected visitor inside for a cup of tea while he waited.

A Cup of Tea and a Revelation

Dylan accepted the offer and found himself sitting on the couch in a modest London home. The woman, initially taken aback, soon had a dawning realisation of just who her guest was. This was particularly poignant as her husband was, in fact, a devoted fan of Bob Dylan. The scene, as described, paints a picture of mild awkwardness, punctuated by polite conversation. Dylan, being American and having penned the song 'One More Cup Of Coffee', might have been expected to request coffee, but instead, he accepted the tea and the accompanying biscuits, such as Ginger Nuts and Jammie Dodgers.

The moment of revelation for the woman is a key element of the story. It was during this time, perhaps as the conversation flowed or as she observed him more closely, that the magnitude of the situation truly hit her. The presence of the iconic musician in her living room, a man whose music her husband cherished, was clearly a surreal experience.

The Real Dave Stewart Arrives

Eventually, the actual Dave Stewart returned home. Upon being introduced to Dylan, he immediately recognised the visitor. It was at this point that Dylan realised he had arrived at the wrong address and was not at his intended destination. More awkwardness ensued, with the possibility of Dylan signing album covers – perhaps 'Blonde on Blonde' or 'Blood on the Tracks', as speculated. Before departing, Dylan produced the crumpled piece of paper with Dave Stewart's correct address, and was, with a touch of bemused redirection, sent on his way to his actual appointment.

Rockabilly Rhythms and Basement Tapes

The story, while centred on this mistaken identity, also delves into Dylan's well-documented love for rockabilly music. The dramatised version, penned by screenwriter Neil Webster, cleverly incorporates references to this passion. In the narrative, Dylan, while waiting at the wrong house, searches for a remote control and instead puts on a record. The track is Billy Lee Riley's 1957 rockabilly hit, 'Red Hot'. Dylan's enthusiastic reaction to the song, particularly his exclamation to Dave's wife, Ange, about the record "tearing out your backbone and kinda making you feel grateful that it did all at the same time!", is a direct echo of his own words from a MusiCares Speech in February 2015. In that speech, he described the song as being able to "blast you out of your skull and make you feel happy about it." This connection highlights Dylan's enduring appreciation for rockabilly, a genre he often cites as his first great musical love, preceding even his admiration for Woody Guthrie and the blues pioneers.

Dylan's affinity for rockabilly is further evidenced by his public acknowledgments of artists like Billy Lee Riley. In 1992, Dylan invited Riley on stage during a performance in Little Rock, standing behind him with a broad smile as Riley performed 'Red Hot'. Dylan also had Riley open for him on several occasions. Throughout his career, Dylan has intermittently incorporated rockabilly influences into his own work, with songs like 'Rita May' (1975) and the lesser-known 'Dress It Up, Better Have It All' from 'The Basement Tapes Complete' (2014) showcasing this enduring connection.

The Enigma of "Dress It Up"

The song 'Dress It Up, Better Have It All' itself presents an interesting case study in the evolution and preservation of Dylan's music. Its omission from early bootlegs and even the initial official release of 'The Basement Tapes' in 1975 left many Dylanologists baffled. Even those with extensive knowledge, such as Clinton Heylin and Sid Griffin, had limited or no awareness of the song initially. Its eventual appearance on 'The Basement Tapes Complete' in 2014, after copyrights were secured in 1988, suggests a late discovery or a prolonged period of obscurity. The song, described as an unfinished sketch with placeholder lyrics, nonetheless offers a swinging interlude within the broader collection.

The lyrics of 'Dress It Up' are believed to draw inspiration from the rockabilly canon, potentially referencing Wanda Jackson's 'Rockabilly Fever' and Carl Perkins' work. The phrase "dressed it up" directly echoes Perkins' lyrics. While the song's meaning remains elusive, with fragments suggesting a personal grievance, it's likely a product of Dylan's improvisational lyrical style, where words punctuate the sound rather than dictating a rigid narrative. The distinctive holler in the song might have been influenced by Guy Mitchell's 'Rock-A-Billy' or even Robert Johnson's 'Milk Cow's Calf Blues'.

The instrumentation and arrangement of 'Dress It Up' also hark back to the early Sun Records recordings, featuring an upright bass and piano. The stop-and-go structure mirrors Perkins' 'Blue Suede Shoes', and Dylan's vocal leaps into falsetto are reminiscent of Perkins' own yodelling style. The guitar solos, performed by Robbie Robertson, are seen as a synthesis of the styles of rockabilly guitarists Scotty Moore and Carl Perkins, further cementing the song's deep roots in the genre.

Crouch End Curiosity

Further adding to the mystique surrounding Dylan's visits to London, Dave Stewart also shared that during his studio time at 'The Church' in Crouch End in 1993, Dylan would often wander the local area during breaks. This casual exploration led to considerable confusion among local estate agents, as Dylan showed a keen, albeit superficial, interest in properties. He even attended viewings, sparking media reports that he was considering settling down in London. However, it was later understood that Dylan's interest was more in observing the London housing market rather than making a serious purchase. This behaviour, it is speculated, might one day find its way into one of his song lyrics.

The Search for the Couple

Intrigued by the story, journalist Tony Barrell embarked on a search in 1998 with a photographer to locate the couple who had hosted Dylan. Despite knocking on numerous doors in the suspected area of Crouch End, they were unable to find the couple or anyone who recognised the story. While they encountered friendly locals, the specific tale of Dylan's accidental visit remained unverified through direct accounts from those involved. Barrell concluded that the couple might have moved away from the area.

Urban Myths and Enduring Legends

The "Knockin' On Dave's Door" incident, whether entirely factual or embellished over time, perfectly encapsulates the allure of celebrity encounters and the human fascination with the unexpected. The dramatisation in 'Urban Myths' brought the story to a wider audience, solidifying its place in the cultural consciousness. The tale serves as a reminder that even global superstars can experience moments of mundane confusion, getting lost and finding themselves in the most unexpected of places.

A Call for Witnesses

The article concludes with a direct appeal from Tony Barrell for anyone who might be the Dave and his wife from the story, or who knows them, to come forward. The hope is to hear the story directly from their perspective and perhaps even secure some photographs, fostering a potential reunion that could add another layer to this already captivating anecdote. The enduring nature of the story, its blend of music history, celebrity, and a touch of everyday mishap, continues to resonate, leaving listeners and readers alike to ponder the delightful possibility of such an encounter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Bob Dylan actually visit Dave Stewart in London?

According to Dave Stewart himself, Bob Dylan did visit London intending to see him, but ended up at the wrong house due to a taxi driver error. The story is considered "true-ish" by those involved.

Where did Bob Dylan go by mistake?

Bob Dylan mistakenly went to a house on a road with a similar name to Dave Stewart's residence in Maida Vale, London. The exact street is believed to be on the Randolph Road/Crescent/Mews network.

What happened when Bob Dylan arrived at the wrong house?

A woman opened the door, and upon realising who Dylan was, invited him in for a cup of tea while she waited for her husband, also named Dave, to return. Dylan realised his mistake when the correct Dave Stewart arrived.

What is the connection to rockabilly music?

The story, and its dramatisation, highlights Bob Dylan's deep appreciation for rockabilly music, particularly the artist Billy Lee Riley. Dylan's reaction to Riley's song 'Red Hot' is a key element of the narrative.

Was the story of Bob Dylan's visit to Dave Stewart real?

Dave Stewart recounted the story to journalist Tony Barrell, who then published it. While details may have been embellished over time, Stewart maintained that the core event did happen.