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DYLAN & ME: 50 Years of Adventures
This uniquely intimate memoir of a lifelong friendship with Bob Dylan offers never-before-told stories, behind-the-scenes glimpses, rare photos, and affectionate anecdotes about one of the key figures in American music and letters. With a cast of characters that includes Marlon Brando, Cher, Joan Baez, Joni Mitchell, Dennis Hopper, Louie's mother, and many more, Dylan & Me is the ultimate rock-and-roll biography--a "backstage pass" to Louie and Bob's life, friendships, and music by the guy who was there every step of the way.
- GenresMusicBiographyNonfiction
229 pages, Hardcover
Published August 15, 2019
91 people are currently reading
125 people want to read
About the author
Louie Kemp
1 book8 followersAbout Louis Kemp
Louie Kemp was born in Duluth, Minnesota. Shortly before graduating college, he left school to take over his father’s Lake Superior fish business, expanding it into Alaska and making it one of the most successful seafood operations in the country.
His 350-foot mothership, the M/V Bering Trader, was the largest-capacity seafood processor in Alaskan waters in its day. An ancillary enterprise, the Louis Kemp Seafood Company, helped create the thriving market for imitation King Crab in the United States.
Louie produced Bob Dylan’s legendary Rolling Thunder Revue tours and traveled with him all over the world as a trusted ally and friend. As a respected and devout member of the Jewish community, Louie is the “father” of Aish Ha Torah’s Discovery Program, attended by more than 500,000 people worldwide, and the founder of Chabad of Pacific Palisades, California.
Most meaningful to him of all, he is the proud father of six great children and five grandchildren…and counting. He lives in Los Angeles, California.
Louie Kemp was born in Duluth, Minnesota. Shortly before graduating college, he left school to take over his father’s Lake Superior fish business, expanding it into Alaska and making it one of the most successful seafood operations in the country.
His 350-foot mothership, the M/V Bering Trader, was the largest-capacity seafood processor in Alaskan waters in its day. An ancillary enterprise, the Louis Kemp Seafood Company, helped create the thriving market for imitation King Crab in the United States.
Louie produced Bob Dylan’s legendary Rolling Thunder Revue tours and traveled with him all over the world as a trusted ally and friend. As a respected and devout member of the Jewish community, Louie is the “father” of Aish Ha Torah’s Discovery Program, attended by more than 500,000 people worldwide, and the founder of Chabad of Pacific Palisades, California.
Most meaningful to him of all, he is the proud father of six great children and five grandchildren…and counting. He lives in Los Angeles, California.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
August 28, 2022
Depending on my mood, I land somewhere between Dylan admirer and Dylan fanatic. Either way I'm always up for another Bob Dylan book, especially one with an angle like this. Louie Kemp really is one of Dylan's best buddies, starting with their summers together as camp buddies. Anyone looking for deep insights into Dylan's character won't find it here, but the "regular guy" side of his life makes for an enjoyable read (he's a relatable knucklehead). The chapters on Louie managing the Rolling Thunder tour are particularly interesting and revealing. Four stars for committed Dylan fans, probably three for everyone else.
March 30, 2025
As someone who does not identify as a "Bob Dylan fan," but more accurately as "I really liked when they used a Bob Dylan song in Silver Linings Playbook," I found some of the stories of his life amusing.
However, I find many of Kemp's stories to be unbelievable, and assuredly exaggerated or otherwise altered. I'm not sure he's an entirely reliable narrator, as he skimps on details of otherwise questionable scenes he relays. This was a fun read, with some chuckles, but more than its share of eye roll moments.
However, I find many of Kemp's stories to be unbelievable, and assuredly exaggerated or otherwise altered. I'm not sure he's an entirely reliable narrator, as he skimps on details of otherwise questionable scenes he relays. This was a fun read, with some chuckles, but more than its share of eye roll moments.
November 14, 2021
I was skeptical about this book. Sure, I thought, you and Bob Dylan have been great friends for 50 years. But, it turns out to be true. Like most long friendships, sometimes theirs was closer than others. But their various hijinks (which didn't end with adolescence). the trust they have for one another, and photos that showed them participating in each other's lives over the years were convincing that yes, Louie Kemp is Bob Dylan's good friend.
This is an easy read, with Kemp recounting one story after another. He never reveals anything about Dylan's personal life or shows either of their complexities as human beings. Much of the book
Louie devotes to how he made a fortune in the fish business or succeeds at some other venture, and at times his bragging gets old. He mentions his own divorce, but not Dylan's. Of course, Louie's is amicable with his first wife, who supposedly introduced him to his second. In this world, there is no anger, sadness, regret, pain, or trouble.
Louie is not the greatest writer around, but he's not terrible. I read this book at night because if I fell asleep reading, it was easy enough to pick up the next night without having to figure out important details that I missed. Once the book actually made me laugh, which is rare and appreciated. If you set aside who Dylan is, it could be the story of any two rich guys sharing a lifelong bond. Given some of the creeps who hang around Dylan, it was good to know that he has a friend who seems to genuinely love him and who looks out for him. Not high-brow, pretentious, or informative about Dylan's life; if you don't expect too much, it's a fun read.
This is an easy read, with Kemp recounting one story after another. He never reveals anything about Dylan's personal life or shows either of their complexities as human beings. Much of the book
Louie devotes to how he made a fortune in the fish business or succeeds at some other venture, and at times his bragging gets old. He mentions his own divorce, but not Dylan's. Of course, Louie's is amicable with his first wife, who supposedly introduced him to his second. In this world, there is no anger, sadness, regret, pain, or trouble.
Louie is not the greatest writer around, but he's not terrible. I read this book at night because if I fell asleep reading, it was easy enough to pick up the next night without having to figure out important details that I missed. Once the book actually made me laugh, which is rare and appreciated. If you set aside who Dylan is, it could be the story of any two rich guys sharing a lifelong bond. Given some of the creeps who hang around Dylan, it was good to know that he has a friend who seems to genuinely love him and who looks out for him. Not high-brow, pretentious, or informative about Dylan's life; if you don't expect too much, it's a fun read.
June 7, 2022
I'm sorry, but this is not about Dylan. I am not disavowing that the author knew Dylan or tha t he was a friend of Dylan's, but I see the book as the author's attempt to get attention by using whatever relationship he had with Dylan. so if you are interested in Kemp, read it.
February 16, 2022
This was a fun book and an easy read. It is a story of two guys who met as kids at a Jewish summer camp and became lifelong friends. What makes it interesting is one of those guys was the enigmatic, iconic, genius, Bob Dylan. Dylan is one of my heroes and I have read a lot about him, but this book was different. It is written from the point of view of someone who has known him and shared experiences with him that no one else has. His friendship with “Bobby” has nothing to do with fame or fortune, although Louie is a very successful businessman. It doesn’t delve deeply into Dylan’s personality, but is a series of stories that show he is after all, just a guy.
I enjoyed this thoroughly and it showed a side of Bob I had never seen before. Even if you’re not a big Dylan fan I would recommend it, it’s a refreshing take after all of the deep analytical books I have read about Dylan and his work.
I enjoyed this thoroughly and it showed a side of Bob I had never seen before. Even if you’re not a big Dylan fan I would recommend it, it’s a refreshing take after all of the deep analytical books I have read about Dylan and his work.
April 20, 2022
Unique View
I first heard Bob Dylan in the 1960s on the radio and without knowing who he was I knew this was something unique and bound for Glory. Louie Kemp's intimate tale provides a unique perspective on this unique artistic genius. The early stories before his fame are mostly down to earth and familiar to that era so that you feel you're there with them. Entertaining and engaging read that gives you an insight into a side of Bob Dylan and his friends you wouldn't otherwise get.
I first heard Bob Dylan in the 1960s on the radio and without knowing who he was I knew this was something unique and bound for Glory. Louie Kemp's intimate tale provides a unique perspective on this unique artistic genius. The early stories before his fame are mostly down to earth and familiar to that era so that you feel you're there with them. Entertaining and engaging read that gives you an insight into a side of Bob Dylan and his friends you wouldn't otherwise get.
August 29, 2023
Excellent work
A view of Bob Dylan as a life-long friend of the author. The emphasis is on their relationship to each other and their friends and families. These guys really had fun together. A great story.
A view of Bob Dylan as a life-long friend of the author. The emphasis is on their relationship to each other and their friends and families. These guys really had fun together. A great story.
October 11, 2020
Pretty interesting. I love Dylan’s songs. I like his singular focus from a young age. Interesting Minnesota flavor.
December 25, 2020
I enjoy biographies. I really enjoyed this one? Who else would tell you that Dylan recked his car in an accident? His best bud.
January 1, 2021
Not a really enlightening read. A collection of memories about growing up and how may famous people he knows, along with his memories of Bob Dylan. Found it rather disjointed and boring.
April 27, 2023
I loved this book
February 10, 2025
The book was more about Me & Dylan. Nothing earth shattering, semi interesting fluff piece.
January 30, 2020
At one time my Dylan shelf embarrassingly held more than 40 books; I can't remember exactly, and have since given many away. The best covered Dylan as an artist, the worst searched for meaning in Dylan's lyrics, and found what would probably surprise the man himself, and got lost down rabbit holes that had much more to do with the analyst than the man himself: see, Christopher Ricks, Dylan's Vision of Sin. Dylan has inspired an industry of biographers, academics, and, the worst of these, Ph.D candidates hawking their theses.
Louie Kemp, (the fish King of the Midwest) has avoided all the pitfalls and written a lovely memoir of his friendship with Bob Dylan that humanizes the man, and puts all the celebrity fodder to rest. Kemp is an amiable writer, his anecdotes are new, and pretty funny, and the affectionate story of three friends - Louie, Bobby, and Larry - that was forged in summer camp, and has lasted lifetimes is a pleasure to read.
Louie Kemp, (the fish King of the Midwest) has avoided all the pitfalls and written a lovely memoir of his friendship with Bob Dylan that humanizes the man, and puts all the celebrity fodder to rest. Kemp is an amiable writer, his anecdotes are new, and pretty funny, and the affectionate story of three friends - Louie, Bobby, and Larry - that was forged in summer camp, and has lasted lifetimes is a pleasure to read.
December 31, 2019
This is not a book about Bob Dylan, it is a book about Louie Kemp, and his friendship with Bob. Rather than another biography the reader gets to follow on Louie's coattails as we are told the story of three boys from the North Country and their adventures.
By seeing Dylan from this angle, the reader gets an insight not seen before. Bob becomes normalised in this book whilst his talent ( some say genius, Louie calls a gift from god) gets more than a hearty nod towards. Excellent book.
By seeing Dylan from this angle, the reader gets an insight not seen before. Bob becomes normalised in this book whilst his talent ( some say genius, Louie calls a gift from god) gets more than a hearty nod towards. Excellent book.
October 25, 2019
A very interesting look at Bob Dylan by one of his oldest friends
I grew up in the three-upper-Midwest states of South Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota and I have been a Bob Dylan fan since 1965. So I was intrigued by this book, written by a Minnesotan who has known Dylan since he was an adolescent naked Bobby Zimmerman. Some of the stories are very amusing and some offer a little insight into the mystery of Dylan and his works. But the book leaves you wanting more.
It is a shame that Kemp doesn't mention, for example, the song "Bob Dylan's Dream," which deals with nostalgia and recalls time spent with friends of childhood. There are many other songs Kemp may understand better for having been with his post-songwriter friend before and after he became famous. It may be that he didn't want to violate any trust or confidence he had with Dylan or it may be that there are no insights he can provide. In any case it is clear that his friendship with one of the world's greatest songwriters brought Kemp a lot of joy and some great memories.
I grew up in the three-upper-Midwest states of South Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota and I have been a Bob Dylan fan since 1965. So I was intrigued by this book, written by a Minnesotan who has known Dylan since he was an adolescent naked Bobby Zimmerman. Some of the stories are very amusing and some offer a little insight into the mystery of Dylan and his works. But the book leaves you wanting more.
It is a shame that Kemp doesn't mention, for example, the song "Bob Dylan's Dream," which deals with nostalgia and recalls time spent with friends of childhood. There are many other songs Kemp may understand better for having been with his post-songwriter friend before and after he became famous. It may be that he didn't want to violate any trust or confidence he had with Dylan or it may be that there are no insights he can provide. In any case it is clear that his friendship with one of the world's greatest songwriters brought Kemp a lot of joy and some great memories.
July 18, 2019
This uniquely intimate memoir of a lifelong friendship with Bob Dylan offers never-before-told stories, behind-the-scenes glimpses, rare photos, and affectionate anecdotes about one of the key figures in American music and letters. With a cast of characters that includes Marlon Brando, Cher, Joan Baez, Joni Mitchell, Dennis Hopper, Louie's mother, and many more, Dylan & Me is the ultimate rock-and-roll biography--a "backstage pass" to Louie and Bob's life, friendships, and music by the guy who was there every step of the way.
Dylan & Me: 50 Years of Adventures by Louie Kemp
Dylanandme.com. Pre Release until Aug. 15, 2019
Dylan & Me: 50 Years of Adventures by Louie Kemp
Dylanandme.com. Pre Release until Aug. 15, 2019
October 20, 2019
Louie Kemp is a childhood friend of Bob Dylan, later serving as tour manager for the Rolling Thunder Review tours in 1975 and 1976. He shares some entertaining stories about the reclusive Dylan, who he still refers to as "Bobby". "Dylan & Me" is uncritical hagiography, though. Dylan is always portrayed in a flattering light. Kemp alludes to some "personal differences," but any negative stories are elided from the narrative. (I strongly suspect that Kemp cleared this book with Dylan before it was published.) Basically, "Dylan & Me" is a love letter from one friend to another. Unless you are Dylan fanatic, there will probably not be enough here to hold your interest.
January 9, 2020
Dylan & Me: 50 Years of Adventures
By Louie Kemp
Producer of the Rolling Thunder Review
Louie Kemp didn't write this book with a computer, typewriter or pen. He wrote it with his heart!
You can feel it in every chapter.
Louie, Bob and Larry would come to our shul, Adath Israel in St Paul MN on many occasions.
We also have a special connection with Larry Kegan.
When our 12 year old son Eli was also in a wheelchair, Larry would come over to talk and sing for him.
My takeaway from reading Louie's book is that they were not performers. They never put on an act. They were real. On and off stage, they opened up and shared with anyone ready to receive.
Louie, thanks for sharing!
By Louie Kemp
Producer of the Rolling Thunder Review
Louie Kemp didn't write this book with a computer, typewriter or pen. He wrote it with his heart!
You can feel it in every chapter.
Louie, Bob and Larry would come to our shul, Adath Israel in St Paul MN on many occasions.
We also have a special connection with Larry Kegan.
When our 12 year old son Eli was also in a wheelchair, Larry would come over to talk and sing for him.
My takeaway from reading Louie's book is that they were not performers. They never put on an act. They were real. On and off stage, they opened up and shared with anyone ready to receive.
Louie, thanks for sharing!
August 14, 2019
"My closeness with Bobby has never had all that much to do with music," writes Louie Kemp, "any more than it has revolved around fish." To Kemp, Bob Dylan is still Bobby Zimmerman, pal and prankster. This book brings us a little closer to that Bob. I reviewed Dylan & Me for The Current.
August 21, 2019
You might like hearing about Dylan from his childhood friend, the Producer of the Rolling Thunder Revue and Wedding Groom for whom Bob served as Best Man, Louie Kemp. Stories of Bob with Joan Baez, Joni Mitchell, Marlon Brando, Cher, David Geffen and more.
Dylan & Me: 50 Years of Adventures by Louie Kemp
Dylanandme.com. Pre Release until Aug. 15, 2019
December 18, 2019
There have been many great books written about Dylan but this is certainly not one of them. Kemp writes like a preadolescent struggling through a school report about his summer vacation. Many of his anecdotes amount to simple bragging about topics totally irrelevant to Dylan or Kemp’s relationship with him. A poor and clunky effort. Nothing new or interesting here.
September 12, 2019
Insightful and honest love this book
Thank you for a look into your beautiful friendship I will treasure this other side of the artist I admire most for the last 50 years 5 stars
Thank you for a look into your beautiful friendship I will treasure this other side of the artist I admire most for the last 50 years 5 stars
December 19, 2019
All is vanity, though some things more than others.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews