A couple has celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary and say they have Bob Dylan to thank as they met on his birthday.
Martin Dove, 72, said it was love at first sight when he first saw Katy Dove, 72, standing across from him at a pub in South Kensington.
The Bob Dylan fan walked up to Katy and, in a bid to spark a conversation, asked her if she knew it was the singer’s birthday.
She didn’t, but the pair danced away and have been inseparable since that fateful evening in May 1970.
Just over four months later, the smitten pair got married.
And ten years later, Katy, who was a civil servant, gave birth to their first and only son – who they aptly named Bob.
Now grandparents, they celebrated their 50th anniversary together this month at a beach in North Yorkshire, where they now live.
Granddad-of-one Martin said: ‘We didn’t know each other, but we were at a pub and I just knew I had to speak to her.
‘I walked up to her and asked her if she knew it was Bob Dylan’s birthday.
‘It was the first thing I ever said to her.
‘I was a massive fan and I thought Bob hasn’t failed me yet, he won’t fail me now. It was love at first sight.
‘We danced together, talked all night and I walked her home – and then she never left my life.’
Martin, who owns every Bob Dylan album and book ever published, said the cult musician has had profound importance in his life.
He said 24 May will always have a place in his heart as it’s the day Bob Dylan was born and the day he met the love of his life.
Martin, a former college professor, added: ‘It’s quite a magical day for me.
‘I’d say Bob and Katy are the two most important people in my life so it’s only right.
‘Music has been such an important part of our lives and our marriage – we listen to music every day and there’s never a quiet moment.’
Martin listens to Dylan tunes at least an hour every single day since the 60s.
He spent six months compiling a definitive top 100 best songs which was topped by 1965 hit Bringing It All Back Home.
He said: ‘It’s funny but I’ve gone from watching Bob live, to listening to records, cassettes, CDs, and now I’m listening to it all on Spotify.
‘No matter what year it is, what technology is out there, one thing is always consistent – Bob.’
Martin moved to London on a whim in late 1969, which he says is the best decision he ever made, as he met Katy just months later.
Katy moved from Glasgow to London for work and didn’t know who Bob Dylan was when they first met.
She said the secret to a long marriage is music as it has the power to get you through anything.
She said: ‘He’s always loved Bob, maybe more than he loves me – I don’t know.
‘I didn’t even know who Bob Dylan was when he spoke to me – I was more of a Donovan girl – but I definitely know who he is now.
‘I knew Martin was the one, he was just so funny and charming.
‘The secret to our marriage has to be music – we listen to something every day and music has the power to get you through anything.’
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source https://metro.co.uk/2020/10/18/couple-celebrates-50th-wedding-anniversary-and-says-they-have-bob-dylan-to-thank-13440986/
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