JOHN Waters is one of those people who ‘got’ prolific American singer songwriter Bob Dylan.
As a teenager growing up in South London during the 1960s, Waters discovered Dylan through British folk singer Donovan Leitch covering his songs on television.
“We thought they were brilliant songs and wondered where they came from,” Waters said.
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READ NOW“So from that time on I’ve been intrigued by his music; I just let the words wash over me.
“The first time I saw Dylan live was at the Royal Albert Hall in London when I was still quite young, where it was just him and his acoustic guitar for the first half and then with his band for the second half.
“He wasn’t the superstar or sex symbol like The Rolling Stones or The Beatles, but just did his art, didn’t explain himself and I think that’s paid off for him. He’s remained a man of mystery.”
Waters moved to Australia in 1968 where he became known for his work in musicals and television, including 19 years on Play School.
Waters has extensively toured his theatrical work Lennon Through A Glass Onion, a musical biography based on John Lennon.
It was because of that show that promoter Roy Ortuso approached Waters to take Bob Dylan songs out on the road with a band in Dylan Revisited.
“I thought some of his greatest hits, interpreted by us, would make an interesting and great musical night,” Waters said.
“I’m learning 20 of his songs at the moment and they’re very wordy.
“I love them all but especially the political song Hurricane, which is very dynamic and the true story of a wrongly convicted black man in the US.
“One of our electric guitar players also happens to be a brilliant violinist, so he’ll be picking up his violin for some gypsy wailing in that one. It’s a really great moment.”
THE ESSENTIALS
What: Dylan Revisited
Where: Astor Theatre
When: October 4
Tickets: www.ticketek.com.au