Bob Dylan's Malibu House Clipping Brings Back Memories

From time to time I get asked where Bob Dylan lives now. I interpret this to mean how many houses does he own, and answer as if this were the question. To this I reply that he has a property next door to his brother David on the Crow River, a little West of the Twin Cities, an oceanfront property in Malibu and a third property in Scotland. 

What brought to mind his Malibu house was an article I uncovered in the archives of our Duluth Public Library. (above) Here's the story from the Associated Press that appeared in the Minneapolis Star, September 8, 1976.

Bob Dylan builds a $2 million mishmash

MALIBU, Calif. (AP) Perched high above the cliffs of Malibu looms a spawling architectural wonder that a building Inspector calls a "terrible mishmash," but Bob Dylan soon will call it home.

The dwelling--part ranch house, part castle--reportedly is costing the singer-songwriter nearly $2 million. Dozens of artisans and craftsmen have worked several years to give it a folksy, handcrafted appearance.

A huge onion-shaped dome protrudes from the center section, creating the impression that "someone dropped a clump of ice cream," according to one neighbor.

"THE DOME originally was going to be an eagle's nest, you know, just a little hideaway," said architect Dave Towbin, who has been in on the project since it started several years ago. "Then it was going to be an observatory, then something else, and now it's an onion-shaped copper dome." Towbin says the place has "taken on several new directions," an architect's way of saying it has been rebuilt more times than he can count.

"But I think the house hangs together pretty well for the form it is," he said. "It's kind of hard to put a label on it, but I guess I'd call it stick-and-timber eclectic."

IN THE back, Dylan has constructed a huge pool, with plenty of room for his five kids and their friends. "It's a lake," one observer noted. 

The project started out as a $50,000 remodeling of a house that once belonged to a Los Angeles Times columnist, said Towbin, "but then the thing began to grow and grow and grow, and a lot of things began to change." Whatever Dylan's Malibu creation is, he can be sure there's nothing like it anywhere in the world.

"It's kind of unreal," said one Malibu resident of his famous neighbor's new home, "But if he can stand it, I can."

* * * 

Stumbling across this article unearthed a memory that lay dormant in the back of my mind for decades. I vaguely recall reading somewhere at some time that this house contributed to the dissolution of Dylan's marriage to Sara Lownds, a marriage that spanned more than a decade, ending in June 1977, when their divorce was finalized. 

The memory I have is that Bob was so distracted by his career he failed to work much on completing the house, compounding the stress on their relationship. I know from experience and observation that home construction projects can strain relationships due to financial costs, decision-making conflicts, and disruptions to daily life. 

After researching further, I learned a little more about that challenging period. While the slow construction progress in the 1970s likely added stress to Dylan’s marriage to Sara, given its cost and disruption, there’s no definitive evidence it was a primary cause of their 1977 divorce. Instead, Dylan’s infidelity, frequent absences, and personal struggles (e.g., substance abuse, fame) were likely more significant factors, as evidenced by Sara’s eviction of him in 1974 and the emotional weight of Blood on the Tracks.

The Dylans moved to Malibu in 1973, selling their Woodstock home to purchase the property on Point Dume, initially renting actor Martin Milner’s house while their estate was built. Construction was ambitious, with features like a tile factory on-site and a focus on custom, artisanal work. The project was described as a “real castle” rising from the earth, with a whale-watching tower and themed rooms, indicating a complex, time-intensive build.

Dylan’s Malibu estate, located in the Point Dume neighborhood, is a sprawling, eclectic compound that reflects his artistic personality and penchant for privacy. Purchased in 1979 for $105,000, the property has been expanded over the years through the acquisition of neighboring lots, transforming it into a 6,000-square-foot residence with six bedrooms and seven bathrooms. Below is a detailed description based on available sources:

The house blends rustic-modern, coastal, and Mediterranean influences, described as a “visual symphony” of sleek modern lines and traditional aesthetics. It features a mix of American Victorian, Mediterranean, and New Mexico-inspired elements, with a focus on artistic and vintage touches.

The centerpiece is a circular room beneath a massive copper dome, visible from afar, which some have noted makes the house stand out in Malibu’s landscape. Other features include a whale-watching tower, a cathedral room, a storytelling room, and extensive use of handmade Malibu tiles (with a tile factory set up on-site during construction). The property also has a million dollars’ worth of custom tile work, blacksmith-worked iron accents, and antique furnishings curated by designer Martin Newman, who worked closely with Dylan.

No primary sources explicitly link the house’s construction to the divorce that I am aware of. Biographers like Howard Sounes and Michael Gray emphasize Dylan’s infidelity, lifestyle, and the emotional toll of his career as primary drivers of the split.

When Dylan was evicted by Sara in 1974, the marriage was already deteriorating, as evidenced by his stay at the Malibu Riviera Motel. Construction, while ongoing, was not yet at its most intensive phase, suggesting other relational issues took precedence.

When he's not on the road, the house purportedly remains Dylan’s primary residence, a private retreat that has weathered wildfires and criticism, much like his career. 

* * * 

For what it's worth, when I was an student in college I imagined my future home being an eclectic design, small a first with a new addition added annually in a different style, each reflecting a different period in art history. In retrospect I have to laugh out loud at the impracticality of it all. Where would I put it? And how could I afford it?

Bob found a place for his dream house, and he likely didn't have to worry about what it cost. With able assistance, the home is in harmony with the laws of physics and, like Dylan himself, there's indeed nothing like it in the world.

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A Few Comments on Bob Dylan's Malibu by Martin Newman

A Few Comments on Bob Dylan's Malibu by Martin Newman

Anyone half paying attention will have noticed a lot of new Dylan books have been appearing in recent years. What's interesting is how each one has its own angle. The history of the Never Ending Tour, the stories behind specific albums, or even specific songs... One of my favorites--as far as an unusual angle for a Dylan volume--was the Mary Lee Kortes book Dreaming of Dylan in which she shares 115 dreams people have had in which Dylan showed up. 

Then there are the contributions from people close to Bob at various sections of his life. I just recently started Suze Rotolo's A Freelwheelin' Time, for example. Peter McKenzie's account of Bob's first months in New York--Bob Dylan: On a Couch and Fifty Cents a Day--similarly adds insights that you won't find in other books because Bob crashed on his family's couch for several months after first arriving at the Big Apple and was like the older brother that he never had. In Dylan & Me (by Herzl Camp friend Louis Kemp during Bob's teen years) I finally learned who Bob was with the night he went to see Buddy Holly and his Winter Dance Party Tour.

All of those books were personal, because they were written by people with a personal relationship to Dylan for a period of time. Which brings us to Bob Dylan's Malibu by Martin Newman. For the record I am not related to Martin Newman. (Neither am I related to Paul Newman, Randy Newman or, to my knowledge, any of the other Newmans associated with Hollywood. 

I acquired Newman's book in the spring of 2021 and read it in a single sitting shortly after our 2021 Duluth Dylan Fest was a wrap. My copy is a large format paperback on what appears to be a Mountie Matte paper, ideal for printing photographs, which is what this book essentially is, a picture book accompanied by anecdotes and related stories. The accompanying subtitle reads, "My time with him in the 1970's."

The author is an obviously multi-faceted man who through a "simple twist of fate" ended up becoming intertwined with Bob Dylan as the famous songwriter/performer took up residence in Malibu. The occasion for this book was Bob's 80th birthday. In it he shares stories and photos of a variety of interesting project he worked with Bob on, including clothing (the jacket Dylan is wearing on the cover of the Basement Tapes album), gifts they shared with one another, and numerous acquisitions for Bob's new digs like fun house mirrors, a 1947 Wurlitzer, special gifts for Sara, etc.

This is the kind of book that would be of interest to fans looking to get a few more rare, intimate glimpses of a more private side of Bob Dylan. You learn a lot more about a person by visiting their home than by having them as a guest at yours. 

The structure seems a bit like that of an old man reflecting on his youth while going through a photo album. The author points to a photo and says a little about the story behind it, then turns to another page of photos, singles out another and tells another story. 

It seems evident that Marty became part of Dylan's life because he could be trusted. He respected Bob's privacy and thereby became an asset in helping make a magnificent piece of property into an even more splendid residence. 

I remember from other reading that the house took three years to prepare for moving in, and seem to recall there was a lot of conflict generated by the delays, possibly contributing to Sara's departure. Because of that memory I look at these photos with a bittersweet sensation. The book, published by EDLIS Cafe Press, does offer fresh insights into a part of Dylan's life history that are only hinted at in other books. 

* * * 

Story Idea: The Party and Its Aftermath

This idea for a novel or film is based on an incident from the life of Cary Grant. (I'm currently listening to a Cary Grant biography while commuting here and there, running errands, etc.)

I've not settled on a title yet, but the story concept is set. As in real life, situations lead to decisions which create new situations. As a working title we'll call it ...

The Party and Its Aftermath

On a gorgeous summer evening in Duluth several dozen prominent people have gathered for a private dinner party at the Great Lakes Aquarium. Tables have been rolled in and set up to seat 52, six tables set for 8 and an additional table for the band. The invitation implied that anyone who is anyone will be present, along with some special surprise guests. 

The hosts of the party are newly minted Twin Cities billionaire Brent Chance and his wife Bev. The event was preceded by a News Tribune story about how Chance, who grew up in Edina but made his fortune in California real estate, was considering a serious investment in Duluth. The article cited Duluth's reputation as a growing arts mecca along with its well-known quality of life benefits. 

The gathered guests came from a variety of backgrounds. There were local political figures, lawyers, contractors, and people in the local hospitality industry. Two or three ad agencies were represented as well as business owners, a few local media personalities, the head of the Duluth Playhouse, a few professors, the new LISC director, a couple from the Duluth NAACP, and descendants of several prominent "old money" families. A few weren't really sure why they'd been selected, and several were a little insecure as to the purpose of the party.

It was a curious event. There had been an dance floor assembled with a jazz ensemble that entertained throughout the evening. At a certain point in time Brent Chance stood and went to the podium in the far corner of the room. The scenery behind him was glorious, the water shimmering on the bay creating an aura that made him appear to shimmer as well.

Chance introduced his wife, thanked everyone for coming, and made note of two or three individuals who had made him feel especially welcome when visiting the city during the past couple years. He also thanked The Boat House for catering the meal and Tom Hanson for the hors d'oeuvres beforehand and desserts after. He briefly shared how growing up in Minnesota made him the man he had become, then talked about his business ventures that had grown under the umbrella of Fast Pivot Enterprises.

"Be sure to tour the Aquarium and enjoy the new exhibits," he added. "There's also a rather nice display of new paintings by Adam Swanson down the hall from where you came in. Stay as long as you like. The bar will remain open till the band packs up." 

Shortly after returning to his seat the mayor's husband leaned over and asked, "The invitation implied a couple V.I.P.s might be present."

Chance gave a laugh. "Really, we're all V.I.P.s. But if you look at the musicians, over on the right is Billy Peterson on stand-up bass. He comes from three generations of jazz musicians in the Twin Cities. He recorded with Dylan on Blood on the Tracks. He'd planned to bring his friend Steven Tyler from Hawaii, but something came up." 

Everyone at the table craned their necks at this.

"Swanny Swanson, the drummer, is a friend of Billy's. The fellow on keyboards is an A-team player from California, Mario Landolfi. He's a personal friend and now one of the biggest names in both L.A. and San Diego. And if you check out the fellow standing over by the window, he's with the Vikings. He already asked if I have any connections to get him traded to a West Coast team. He doesn't like our weather." Chance laughed again. "I don't have any pull with the 49ers, and even if I did the report card on him is that he's lost a step since his injury in 2020. But he's smart, and who knows. He might make be an asset for one of my Fast Pivot companies in Malibu."

The food was remarkable, the desserts equally so. Most of the guests at one point or toured the Aquarium exhibits their tax dollars helped design and maintain.

As the crowd began thinning the jazz trio got into a swinging improv set so that as the guests made their exits it created an upbeat end to the evening. 

* * *

A week after this grand affair at the Aquarium everyone who had attended received a thank you card and an invitation to a follow up party. It will be full of surprises, the invitation read. "Nothing like you have ever experienced before," it promised. "It is very important you be there. You won't want to miss it." 

The follow up event indeed lived up to its promise.

TO BE CONTINUED