Bob Dylan has shaped and reflected the American character since the early 1960s. He was one of the singer-songwriters of the "Folk Music Revival" of the 1950s and 1960s that developed in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of New York City. A new addition to the Music collection is a CD made from a New York City radio program that Dylan appeared on in 1962, just after he recorded his first album: "Folk Singer's Choice"
Compact Disc 22622
Early years:
In 1961 Dylan dropped out of the University of Minnesota to move to New York City, where folk singers he admired were recording folk songs as part of the "folk music revival" based in the Village. His influences included folk revivalists such as Woody Guthrie and Delta Blues singers such as John Lee Hooker. He changed his name to Bob Dylan (from Robert Zimmerman) and recorded his first album (
Bob Dylan) in 1962. He had a hit with his second album,
Freewheelin' Bob Dylan (1963), which included protest songs such as "Blowin' in the Wind." He continued to blend folk style with the Civil Rights Movement sentiments with the song, "The Times They Are A-Changing" in 1964.
Electric years:
Fifty years ago, in 1965, Dylan shocked his acoustically-minded fans and colleagues by playing an electric guitar at the Newport Folk Festival. This marks the shift from his identity as a folk music icon to a rock musician. His album
Bringing it all Back Home, acoustic on one side and electric on the other, reached the top ten on the Billboard charts. Having crossed over from the folk movement, he achieved more success with the song "Like a Rolling Stone," from the album
Highway 61 Revisited. His 1969 song, "Lay, Lady, Lay" was another hit. But he continued to be socially conscious, and in 1971 performeed at the
Concert for Bangladesh at Madison Square Garden.
Christian years:
In 1979 Dylan declared himself a born-again Christian and soon released the first of his three gospel albums,
Slow Train Coming. He also gave several speeches, which have been collected in
Saved! The Gospel Speeches of Bob Dylan BT 752 .D94 1990
Later years:
From 1983 to the present Dylan has involved himself in a variety of projects, including 1985's
Live Aid concert, tours with The Grateful Dead and Willie Nelson, and painting. He wrote his memoirs and also turned his attention to film making and painting. Rather than touring to promote specific albums, he began a "Never Ending Tour" which continues today. His
Drawn Blank Series of paintings was exhibited in Europe in 2007-2008. (exhibition catalog:
ND 1839 .D95 A413 2007)
Dylan songs that were hits by other artists:
From the 1960s to the present many diverse artists have covered his songs. From fellow folk music enthusiasts like Peter, Paul and Mary, The Clancy Brothers, Pete Seeger and Judy Collins to rock giants like Guns n' Roses, Cher, Elvis Presley, David Bowie, Rod Stewart, Pearl Jam, and Maroon 5, Dylan's songs speak to the human condition across genres and generations. These are just a few of his songs that were covered by other artists:
- All Along the Watchtower
- Blowin' in the Wind
- Don't Think Twice, It's All Right
- Farewell, Angelina
- Forever Young
- Girl from the North Country
- I Shall Be Released
- If Not for You
- It Ain't Me Babe
- Just Like a Woman
- Knockin' on Heaven's Door
- Make You Feel My Love
- Mr. Tambourine Man
- Outlaw Blues
- Quinn the Eskimo (The Mighty Quinn)
- The Times They are A-Changing'
- This Wheel's on Fire
- Tomorrow is a Long Time
Albums
1968: Any Day Now
Compact Disc 16147
Compilations
Listen to "Chimes of Freedom" (
Compact Disc 21564) for a wide variety of performances of Dylan songs in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Amnesty International. Performers include Queens of the Stone Age, Elvis Costello, Cage the Elephant, Maroon 5 and Ke$ha.
Another album of covers is "A Nod to Bob: An Artists' Tribute to Bob Dylan on His Sixtieth Birthday" (
Compact Disc 11151)
Songbook:
