Posted in: Rock by Louie Jerome on June 28th, 2009 | 11 Comments
Bob Dylan is without doubt one of the twentieth century’s, most gifted lyricists and songwriters. After more than 45 years in the industry, he is still popular and writing new stuff all the time. His latest release in April 2009 was certainly no disappointment.
Bob Dylan was born in Minnesota in 1941. His original name was Robert Allan Zimmerman and he took the name Dylan from the Welsh poet, Dylan Thomas.
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He started off as a radical folk singer with local bands, while he was at university in Minneapolis, but moved on to record his first album in 1962.
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Subsequent albums combined semi-traditional songs with blues. Dylan had an amazing talent with words and wrote some excellent lyrics, particularly when it came to expressing his own political views. Examples of this are ‘Blowin’ in the Wind’, ‘Masters of War’ and A Pawn in Their Game.’
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Basically, he took what he learned from folk singer Woodie Guthrie and modelled his own style on the singer. Then he added what blues artist Johnson taught him. He then mixed this combination with his own sophisticated lyrical ability and produced the original Dylan style.
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His unusual rusty, gravelly voice, added to that special sound and this particular technique emulated his mentor and hero, Woodie Guthrie.
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Dylan was the star of the 1963 Folk Festival in Newport, but by 1964 his style had moved further away from folk music as he started to use amplified guitars more and more. For some diehard fans, this ruined the whole image of Bob Dylan, Folk Singer.
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Later in his career he was very much influenced by British rock groups like The Animals and Manfred Mann. American bands started to play his songs too. The Byrds had a hit with Dylan’s songs, ‘Mr Tambourine Man’ and ‘All I Really Want to do’.
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In 1966, Dylan was not heard of for almost two years until he appeared in Woody Guthrie’s memorial concert in 1968. Since then he continued to write songs and lyrics and performed and released various titles from his back catalogue.
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After a lifetime of writing and performing, his latest song ‘Together Through Life’ was released in April 2009.
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Bob Dylan was included in the Time 100: Most Important People of the Century, where he was described as a ‘master poet and a social critic’ and a real icon of the counterculture. Rolling Stone magazine voted him the second greatest artist of all time.
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Among Dylan’s awards were 1972 Best Album of the Year for ‘The Concert for Bangla Desh’ and further Grammy Awards right through the 1990’s. His latest was a 2006 award for Best Solo Rock Vocal with ‘Someday Baby’. He also won a host of awards and prizes right through to 2008, for his performances and song writing ability.
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HelloSiti June 28th, 2009 at 1:36 am
Your favorite singer, Louie?
George W Whitehead June 28th, 2009 at 1:54 am
Great article, Louie.
I can well remember the furore in the musical press when he crossed over to ‘electric folk’. Personally, I had no issue with it, but I suppose if you were a student hippie wannabe, it was a lot easier just taking an accoustic guitar to college to play on the campus in the lunch break than having to lug an electric generator, speakers and amplifier to plug your Gibson into!
HeyZel June 28th, 2009 at 1:54 am
Woah. So, you’re a big fan?
Inna Tysoe June 28th, 2009 at 2:38 am
Always loved Dylan. But I still remember how surprised I was to discover he was Jewish–and how many Jews were basically told to change their names, get nose jobs or they would have no careers. In fact, wasn’t Barbara Streisand among the first Jewish actresses to refuse to do either?
Regards,
Inna
Glynis Smy June 28th, 2009 at 4:30 am
That was an interesting insight to his career. I didn’t realise he produced a new song this year. I will have to hunt it out. Thanks.
Anne Lyken Garner June 28th, 2009 at 10:02 am
I’m not really a fan, but I did learn something. I never knew that Dylan wasn’t his real name.
Geri Ohara June 28th, 2009 at 11:07 am
really interesting article
Lex92 June 28th, 2009 at 1:33 pm
I always assumed Dylan was his name. I think I’ll start listening to his music now
Judy Sheldon June 28th, 2009 at 8:14 pm
It’s nice to have a little history to go with the tunes I listen to. Thanks, Louie!
moon j. June 29th, 2009 at 12:55 am
Great post! Even greater artist!
Daisy Peasblossom June 30th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
I knew most of this…I just don’t remember him looking that young! Guess that’s because I was pretty young myself…