New York - Rock troubadour Bob Dylan was stopped by police in New Jersey after locals reported an unkempt man wandering around a rundown neighbourhood, it emerged Saturday.

Neither police officer recognised the 68-year old singer- songwriter, famous for a flurry of masterpiece albums in the 1960s, and demanded ID, according to US broadcaster ABC.

"I asked him who he is and he said: 'Bob Dylan'," 24-year old policewoman Kristie Buble told the news channel.

"I've seen lots of old photos of Dylan and, to me, he absolutely did not look like Bob Dylan," she added.

"We see a bunch of people on our patrols, and I was not sure if he had come out of one of the local hospitals."

Dylan was wearing black jogging pants, tucked into black boots , and two raincoats, with his face hidden in a hooded top.

The weather was pouring with rain, and the man appeared to be looking at houses.

After being told by the man he was Bob Dylan, the officers demanded to know what he was doing in the Long Branch.

The writer of such classics as Blowin' In The Wind and Mr Tambourine Man told the officer he was on tour with Willie Nelson and John Mellencamp.

Faced with disbelief from the officers, and having no ID on him, the singer was taken to that night's concert venue, the Ocean Place Resort and Spa, where staff vouched for him.

The incident happened in late July. (dpa)