SJ: But you’ve been accused of having beaten your wife Sara and your children. It’s said she left you to protect them. Is that true?
BD: There is a private Bob Dylan and a public Bob Dylan. One came out of legend and the other loved his life like a man. The one Dylan has no control over the other. It’s impossible to know what lies behind all these rumours. What is certain is that the this is the right moment to justify or blame myself. They have only ever been able to imply that I did this or that. All I’ve said is that that isn’t part of my job.
SJ: A few weeks ago you were forty. Do you feel old? BD: It’s only men’s minds that grow old and I’ve held on to the spirit of my younger years. I’m still excited at the prospect of singing to thousands of young people. I still get as much pleasure out of creating something new. I spend hours playing the guitar and harmonica. I don’t feel the weight of the years. And, even if I did, I would still be a happy man who loves life.
SJ: Mr Dylan, what is your present ‘market’ value? BD: I’m worth one and a half million dollars. The cost of a supersonic plane. Maybe a bit less...