Bob Dylan (born Robert Allen Zimmerman, May 24, 1941) is an American singer-songwriter, author, and painter who has been an influential figure in popular music and culture for more than five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s, when he became a reluctant “voice of a generation” with songs such as “Blowin’ in the Wind” and “The Times They Are a-Changin'” that became anthems for the Civil Rights Movement and anti-war movement. In 1965, he controversially abandoned his early fan-base in the American folk music revival, recording a six-minute single, “Like a Rolling Stone”, which enlarged the scope of popular music.

Born: Robert Allen Zimmerman
May 24, 1941 (age 81)
Duluth, Minnesota, U.S.
Residence – Malibu, California, U.S.

Years active: 1959–present

Home town: Hibbing, Minnesota, U.S.

Spouse(s): Sara Dylan (m. 1965; div. 1977)
Carolyn Dennis: (m. 1986; div. 1992)

Children: 6, including Jesse and Jakob Dylan

Awards: Nobel Prize in Literature (2016)

Musical career: Genres: Folk blues rock gospel country pop standards

Labels: Columbia Asylum

Associated acts: Joan Baez The Band Johnny Cash Grateful Dead George Harrison Mark Knopfler Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers Traveling Wilburys

Website: bobdylan.com

Dylan’s lyrics incorporate a wide range of political, social, philosophical, and literary influences. They defied existing pop-music conventions and appealed to the burgeoning counterculture.