I believe I have seen that clip of the press conference where Dylan made that remark. I think you have to bear in mind that at that time the idea of a thoughtful, serious artist working in the pop world was something pretty new. The journalists at the time found it difficult to find a way of classifying Dylan in terms of something which they already knew. Although Dylan's remark was flip, I think you have to see the irony of it against that background. In context, I found it funny. I guess your point is that you just found it rude Tunesmith. That's fair enough. I just comes down to the way you take it.
I liked the story about The Beatles and Muddy Waters. I think the reporter's response would have only served to reinforce my low opinion of the journalist's profession!