(Drivebycuriosity) - Today the world - at least the part which cares about culture - is celebrating Bob Dylan `s birthday. On May 24, 1941 Robert Zimmerman was born. I saw him twice, 2013 open-air in Hoboken, New Jersey and 2019 July 12 at his Hyde Park concert (plus Neil Young). At his Hyde Park gig he was in party mood and "Like a Rolling Stone" came as a dance song. London had then also an exhibition with some of his paintings (I chose 3 for illustration).
Dylan was a kind of chameleon. He often changed style, attitude and maybe even opinions. Tod Haynes`movie "I`m Not There" gives an impression of his chatoyant personality (imdb ). The master did not appear himself, instead he was incarnated by several actors who represented different epochs of his early life. For instance Kate Blanchett personified a psychedelic London episode and Richard Gere appeared in a 19th century Woodstock setting. The 1967 American documentary film "Don`t look back" directed by D. A. Pennebaker that covers Bob Dylan's 1965 concert tour in England shows the original prodigy, who looked like an angel.
I wasn`t surprised when they gave Dylan the Nobel Prize for Literature. I love his dry wit and sarcastic humor ("They are sending post cards from the hanging"/Dissolation Road). His songs got (felt) millions of cover versions. Jimi Hendrix`s version of "All over the Watch Tower" still belongs to the canon of rock music. Dylan certainly shaped today`s culture.
Happy birthday Bob!
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