Bob Dylan hits out at critics

As new album Tempest takes its bow, Bob Dylan has taken the time to address his critics, particularly those who threw the "Judas" tag at him following his move from acoustic to electric, declaring that "those evil motherfuckers can rot in hell". Responding to the suggestion that his use of the Civil War poetry of Henry Timrod was perhaps somewhat questionable, Dylan fired back.

"In folk and jazz, quotation is a rich and enriching tradition," Dylan is quoted as saying in the new issue of Rolling Stone. "That certainly is true. It's true for everybody, but me. There are different rules for me. And as far as Henry Timrod is concerned, have you even heard of him? Who's been reading him lately? And who's pushed him to the forefront? Who's been making you read him? And ask his descendants what they think of the hoopla. And if you think it's so easy to quote him and it can help your work, do it yourself and see how far you can get."

"Wussies and pussies complain about that stuff," he continued. "It's an old thing – it's part of the tradition. It goes way back. These are the same people that tried to pin the name Judas on me. Judas, the most hated name in human history! If you think you've been called a bad name, try to work your way out from under that. Yeah, and for what? For playing an electric guitar? As if that is in some kind of way equitable to betraying our Lord and delivering him up to be crucified. All those evil motherfuckers can rot in hell."