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Bob Dylan’s Early Life
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Around that time, he began introducing himself as “Bob Dylan” and legally changed his name in 1962 while living in New York City.
02of 15Bob Dylan’s Record DealMichael Ochs Archives/GettyAt the end of Dylan’s first year at the University of Minnesota, he dropped out of college and moved to New York City in May 1960. He not only relocated to perform but to also visit his musical idol,Woody Guthrie.In 1961, Dylan performed independently at clubs around Greenwich Village, in addition to accompanying other musicians on harmonica. His harmonica playing eventually caught the attention of producer John Hammond (pictured with Dylan), who signed him to Columbia Records in 1962.
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Bob Dylan’s Record Deal
At the end of Dylan’s first year at the University of Minnesota, he dropped out of college and moved to New York City in May 1960. He not only relocated to perform but to also visit his musical idol,Woody Guthrie.
In 1961, Dylan performed independently at clubs around Greenwich Village, in addition to accompanying other musicians on harmonica. His harmonica playing eventually caught the attention of producer John Hammond (pictured with Dylan), who signed him to Columbia Records in 1962.
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Bob Dylan’s Breakthrough Album
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The lead song “Blowin' in the Wind” is in part derived from the African American spiritual, “No More Auction Block,” while “A Hard Rain’s a-Gonna Fall” eluded to an impending apocalypseamid the Cuban Missile Crisis.
The Freewheelin' Bob Dylannot only experimented with different sounds, like rockabilly and blues, but the album’s songs established Dylan as the voice of his generation as his lyrics resonated with listeners and understood Americans' concerns on political and social issues of the day.
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Bob Dylan’s Protest Period
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While protesting has frequently been a prominent theme in Dylan’s music, it became a big part of his identity in 1963, primarily after he walked out ofThe Ed Sullivan Showwhenhe refused to comply with CBS censorshipafter they deemed his “Talkin' John Birch Paranoid Blues” potentially libelous to the John Birch Society, a political advocacy group.
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Bob Dylan’s Newport Folk Festival Gig
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Regarded as an acoustic troubadour and a leading light in the revival of folk music, Dylan shocked audiences when he “went electric” during hisNewport Folk Festivalheadlining performance in 1965.
Before the gig, he had releasedBringing It All Back Homeand had recorded the majority ofHighway 61 Revisited— two works that had introduced electric sounds and rock accompaniment to his music, with the latter featuring his hit “Like a Rolling Stone.”
A pivotal moment in rock history, the musician’s decision to pick up the electric guitar unsettled the crowd in which many believed his choice to “go electric” betrayed traditional folk music.
Whilethere are varying accountsas to what exactly went down during their performance in 1965, especially regarding the reason behind the band’s decision to leave after three songs, Dylan did return to the stage with an acoustic guitar to play “Mr. Tambourine Man,” and was greeted with tremendous applause.
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Bob Dylan’s ‘Like a Rolling Stone’ Successes
Despite the song’s initial hostile response, Dylan’s “Like a Rolling Stone” peaked at No. 2 on the U.S. chart in 1965 and hit No. 1 twice onRolling Stone’s list of “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time” (before the outletupdated the listin 2021).
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Bob Dylan’s Concert for Bangladesh Performance
After collaborating withThe Beatles’George Harrisonon various songs, such as “I’d Have You Anytime” in 1968, Dylan made a surprise guest appearance at Harrison’s 1971 Concert for Bangladesh.
08of 15Bob Dylan’s Return to TouringNetflixThroughout the 1970s, Dylan toured the world. In 1974, Dylan joined with old partners The Band for a two-month, 40-show concert tour. Also commonly referred to as Tour ‘74, it marked his first tour in eight years.Dylan embarked on another tour in 1975, titled the Rolling Thunder Revue, featuring musicians from the New York Greenwich Village folk scene, including artists such asJoni Mitchell,Joan Baezand more.In 1978, he took off on a year-long world tour alongside an eight-piece band and three backing singers. Dylan and his band traveled to Asia, Europe, Oceania and North America to perform a total of 114 shows.
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Bob Dylan’s Return to Touring
Netflix
Throughout the 1970s, Dylan toured the world. In 1974, Dylan joined with old partners The Band for a two-month, 40-show concert tour. Also commonly referred to as Tour ‘74, it marked his first tour in eight years.
Dylan embarked on another tour in 1975, titled the Rolling Thunder Revue, featuring musicians from the New York Greenwich Village folk scene, including artists such asJoni Mitchell,Joan Baezand more.
In 1978, he took off on a year-long world tour alongside an eight-piece band and three backing singers. Dylan and his band traveled to Asia, Europe, Oceania and North America to perform a total of 114 shows.
09of 15Bob Dylan’s Christian MusicLarry Hulst/Michael Ochs Archives/GettyAfter converting to Evangelical Christianity, Jewish-raised Dylan entered a new musical phase as he released three contemporary gospel music albums between 1979 and 1981:Slow Train Coming,SavedandShot of Love.The single “Gotta Serve Somebody,” offSlow Train Coming,won a Grammyfor best male rock vocal performance in 1980.
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Bob Dylan’s Christian Music
Larry Hulst/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty
After converting to Evangelical Christianity, Jewish-raised Dylan entered a new musical phase as he released three contemporary gospel music albums between 1979 and 1981:Slow Train Coming,SavedandShot of Love.
The single “Gotta Serve Somebody,” offSlow Train Coming,won a Grammyfor best male rock vocal performance in 1980.
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Bob Dylan’s Grammy Award Wins
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Throughout his career, Dylan has been awarded10 Grammy winsout of his 38 nominations. He received his first Grammy as a featured artist onThe Concert for Bangladeshrecordin 1973’s album of the year category but also won his first solo Grammy for “Gotta Serve Somebody” in 1979’s best rock vocal performance, male category.
11of 15Bob Dylan’s Hall of Fame InductionsLynn Goldsmith/Corbis/VCG via GettyBruce Springsteeninducted Dylan into theRock and Roll Hall of Famein January 1988. In his speech, Springsteen not only praised Dylan’s “Like a Rolling Stone,” but also compared him to theKing of Rock and Rollhimself.“Bob freed your mind the wayElvis [Presley] freed your body. He showed us that just because music was innately physical did not mean that it was anti-intellectual,” Springsteen said.Dylan was also inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
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Bob Dylan’s Hall of Fame Inductions
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Bruce Springsteeninducted Dylan into theRock and Roll Hall of Famein January 1988. In his speech, Springsteen not only praised Dylan’s “Like a Rolling Stone,” but also compared him to theKing of Rock and Rollhimself.
“Bob freed your mind the wayElvis [Presley] freed your body. He showed us that just because music was innately physical did not mean that it was anti-intellectual,” Springsteen said.
Dylan was also inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
12of 15Bob Dylan’s Academy Award WinTIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via GettyDylan received anOscarin the Best Original Song category for his song, “Things Have Changed,” from the filmWonder Boys in2001.“I want to thank the Academy who were bold enough to give me this award for this song, a song which obviously doesn’t pussyfoot around or turn a blind eye to human nature,” Dylansaid in his acceptance speechat the 73rd Academy Awards.He also took home the Golden Globe that yearin the same category.
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Bob Dylan’s Academy Award Win
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Dylan received anOscarin the Best Original Song category for his song, “Things Have Changed,” from the filmWonder Boys in2001.
“I want to thank the Academy who were bold enough to give me this award for this song, a song which obviously doesn’t pussyfoot around or turn a blind eye to human nature,” Dylansaid in his acceptance speechat the 73rd Academy Awards.
He also took home the Golden Globe that yearin the same category.
13of 15Bob Dylan’s Presidential Medal of Freedom HonorMANDEL NGAN/AFP/GettyIn 2012, former PresidentBarack Obamaawarded Dylan with the prestigiousPresidential Medal of Freedom, “the country’s highest civilian honor,” according to theU.S. government’s official site.
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Bob Dylan’s Presidential Medal of Freedom Honor
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In 2012, former PresidentBarack Obamaawarded Dylan with the prestigiousPresidential Medal of Freedom, “the country’s highest civilian honor,” according to theU.S. government’s official site.
14of 15Bob Dylan’s Accolades and HonorsBob Dylan.Michael Kovac/WireImageThroughout Dylan’s career, he has received many awards and accolades. In 2015, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences honored him as the MusiCares Person of the Year.In 2016, Dylan was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for “having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition,” per the officialNobel Prize Committee.
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Bob Dylan’s Accolades and Honors
Bob Dylan.Michael Kovac/WireImage
Throughout Dylan’s career, he has received many awards and accolades. In 2015, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences honored him as the MusiCares Person of the Year.
In 2016, Dylan was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for “having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition,” per the officialNobel Prize Committee.
15of 15Bob Dylan’sRough and Rowdy WaysBob Dylan.Dave J Hogan/GettySpanning six decades, Dylan’s career continues to thrive throughout the 21st century. In addition to being recognized for his illustrious contributions to themusic industry and literary scene through the years, he continues to put out new material.In March 2020, he released a17-minute ballad titled “Murder Most Foul"addressing the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and other topics in American history and pop culture. That July, he released his 39th studio albumRough and Rowdy Ways, his first to feature all original material sinceTempestin 2012.In January 2022,Dylan sold his entire catalog of recorded workto Sony Music.Varietyreported that the deal was worth between $150 million and $200 million.Dylan also began his years-spanningRough and Rowdy WaysWorld Wide Tourin 2021.
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Bob Dylan’sRough and Rowdy Ways
Bob Dylan.Dave J Hogan/Getty
Spanning six decades, Dylan’s career continues to thrive throughout the 21st century. In addition to being recognized for his illustrious contributions to themusic industry and literary scene through the years, he continues to put out new material.
In March 2020, he released a17-minute ballad titled “Murder Most Foul"addressing the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and other topics in American history and pop culture. That July, he released his 39th studio albumRough and Rowdy Ways, his first to feature all original material sinceTempestin 2012.
In January 2022,Dylan sold his entire catalog of recorded workto Sony Music.Varietyreported that the deal was worth between $150 million and $200 million.
Dylan also began his years-spanningRough and Rowdy WaysWorld Wide Tourin 2021.
source: people.com
