New Jersey Police: Bob Dylan who?

Rock legend Bob Dylan was treated like a complete unknown by police in a New Jersey shore community when a resident called to report someone wandering around the neighborhood.

Dylan was in Long Branch, about a two-hour drive south of New York City, on July 23, as part of a tour with Willie Nelson and John Mellencamp that was to play at a baseball stadium in nearby Lakewood.

A 24-year-old policeofficer, apparently unaware of who Dylan was, asked him for identification, said Long Branch business administrator Howard Woolley. "I don't think she was familiar with his entire body of work," said Woolley.

Identity Crisis: Bob Dylan (68) has sung classics, including Like a Rolling Stone and Blowin' in the Wind. CD of his hit album Together Through Life.

Wandering

The incident occurred at 5 pm when a resident said a man was wandering around a low-income, predominantly minority neighborhood several blocks from the oceanfront looking at houses.

The police officer drove up to Dylan, who was wearing a blue jacket, and asked him his name. According to Woolley, the following exchange ensued:"What is your name, sir?" the officer asked.

"Bob Dylan," Dylan said.

"OK, what are you doing here?" the officer asked.

"I'm on tour," the singer replied.

A second officer, also in his 20s, responded to assist the first officer. He, too, apparently was unfamiliar with Dylan.

No ID

The officers asked Dylan for identification.

The singer of such classics as Like a Rolling Stone and Blowin' in the Wind' said that he didn't have any ID with him, that he was just walking around looking at houses to pass some time before that night's show.

The officers asked Dylan (68) to accompany them back to the Ocean Place Resort and Spa, where the performers were staying. Once there, tour staff vouched for Dylan.

The officers thanked him for his cooperation. "He couldn't have been any nicer to them," Woolley added.