Times have changed for folk hero Dylan

BOB Dylan: the very name conjures myriad images, from folk hero of the early '60s to renegade electronic superstar only a few years later. Megastar, legend and ''has-been''.

What went wrong? How can someone seriously influence and affect so many with his imaginative, soulful, incredibly powerful lyrics and music, and then fade into musical oblivion? Some say he burned out, some say it is because he found God (the downfall musically of many a star) - but that really does not matter.

''Come gather round people, wherever you roam'' was the anthem of the '60s and it was also the theme before the performance last night at the Coliseum.

Ageing hippies, socialites, chuppies, people with long hair, short hair - even no hair - were there, kissing each other's cheeks, giving '60s handshakes (do so many people still say ''man''?) but all with big smiles as they socialised up and down the aisles.

But the real show was the legend himself. When he opened his mouth it was Dylan - the real Dylan - croaking beautifully, electronically laid back country, with a bite of rock and roll. Wonderful.

The harmonica was out for the second song. No one sings If Not For You like its writer, Dylan. Then suddenly the man said There Must Be Some Way Out Of Here and the '60s were back.