“He wouldn’t go on”: how Bob Dylan almost ruined ‘The Last Waltz’ over a hat
For a man many revere as a God, Bob Dylan often acts like a petulant child. “That’s part of his charm!” the chorus cries, “He’s complex!”. Sure, that might be an excuse for his wacky studio hold-ups, his strange connection with AJ Weberman, and many of his weird approaches to art, love, and life. But is it really “complex” when the issue in question is not a philosophical debate but simply the question of whether to wear a hat or not to wear a hat?
It was Thanksgiving, November 25th, 1976. One of music history’s biggest days was about to unfold. The staff at the iconic Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco were busy preparing. The kitchen staff were at work preparing a feast for over 5000 attendees. The workforce of over 300 people was frantically trying to set up the grand venue for a unique night, part ballroom dance, part orchestral performance, part poetry reading and part rock show that would go on late into the early hours. And it wasn’t just any rock show. It was the rock show, saying goodbye to The Band and featuring a veritable who’s-who of all the biggest names of the era. The guest list was star-studded, and the lineup was even more so. The crowd were excited, and backstage, Bob Dylan had decided to be a problem.
Maybe he woke up on the wrong side of the bed; bless him. It’s tough to be a world-famous rocker, especially one who had just got home from the Rolling Thunder Review and was having a fresh burst of popularity, which he, of course, hated. Maybe there was a touch of jealousy. The Band were his band, after all, or they’d started out that way. Now, being a featured act on their bill, maybe that made him feel a little odd, a little toxic even.
Whether restless or resolved to steal focus back, Dylan made a scene at just about every turn of the day. It started even before the day when the artist, for a long time, said no to appearing. Eventually, though, he changed his mind, but he still set everything off in an odd tone when he showed up with a lawyer and a contract in hand. They negotiated the number of songs, even the songs they could sing, which would be recorded and which could appear in Scorsese’s film.
But that scene wasn’t enough – his mood raged on. Next up, during the intermission, when the show was already underway, Dylan threw his second tantrum. He didn’t want to be filmed. Levon Helm recalled, “Robbie [Robertson] was totally pale. They said, ‘Bob doesn’t want to be in the movie.’” The story goes that Warner Brothers would only fund the project if Dylan featured, which the musician knew, he just didn’t care. Helm added, “Scorsese went nuts. Without Bob, there would be no movie. It was all over.”
Slightly satiated by the drama, Dylan again changed his mind and said he’d go on. But, never one to make it easy for anyone, he threw one last spanner in the works with his third, final and most ridiculous tantrum of the night; “Bob Dylan couldn’t decide if he wanted to wear a hat or not wear a hat so he wouldn’t go on until he could decide.”
That was Steven Prince, Martin Scorsese’s right-hand man’s reflection of the moment. Right before his set, we’re talking the minute before, Dylan threatened to derail it again, all over a hat. As evidenced by the footage in Scorsese’s now famed The Last Waltz movie, Dylan landed on the hat. But is that white hat really worth risking one of history’s biggest concerts? I’d say not.
Never Miss A Tale
The Far Out Bob Dylan Newsletter
All the latest stories about Bob Dylan from the independent voice of culture.
Straight to your inbox.