Bob Dylan

Robert Zimmerman, known by his stage name of Bob Dylan, is considered one of the most influential and inspirational musical artists of the past century. Dylan’s career began in high school where he and his band played so loud at the school talent show that the microphone had to be turned off. Bob Dylan is known for his unique voice, using his music and popularity to tackle social issues, as well as the imagery created by the lyrics used. Dylan briefly attended the University of Minnesota before dropping out to record his music and go to a hospital in New Jersey to visit Woody Guthrie, the artist he based his musical style off of. In the piece, “Song to Woody”, Dylan discusses the influence Woody Guthrie and associated artists had on his life. The song also makes clear the admiration Dylan had for Guthrie’s work.

Following the death of Guthrie in 1967, Dylan refocused on his music and produced hits such as “The Times They Are a-Changin’” and “Blowin’ In the Wind” that became anthems for the growing civil rights movement. The lyrics of “The Times They Are a-Changin’” are meant to inspire people to join the movement and encourage politicians not to pass legislation that would constrain or slow the civil rights movements. Another one of his hits, “Hurricane”, is about a boxer who is wrongly convicted of triple homicide in . The true story details the controversial events that led to the arrest of the world champion boxer, Rubin Carter.  Bob Dylan’s popularization of Rubin Carter’s story is credited with spreading awareness of the case and eventually getting Carter released from prison. Bob Dylan used his music as a way to convey his positive messages regarding equality and fairness to the nation.

https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2010/09/how-bob-dylan-changed-the-60s-and-american-culture/62654/

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxvVk-r9ut8