Supposedly, Bob Dylan wrote this song after going to a Bruce Springsteen concert with a band mate and wrote it as a sort of Tribute to his music. Bruce was doing a bit in concert where he was calling himself "Half Man Half Monkey" and there was born "the Monkey Man". There are many references to Bruce song titles and themes and lyrics such as Thunder Road, Stolen Car, Highway 99, Mansion on the Hill, Lions Den, Night, The River, Paradise, State Trooper, Factory, and Jersey Girl. Just a story about where ideas come from, I suppose.
Sad to see two of the Wilburys pass (George Harrison, Roy Orbison). I don't think any other Wilburys came forward to join.