Author(s): Dafydd Rees & Luke Crampton

Art and Design

In 2008, Bob Dylan became the first rock and roll artist to be honored with a Pulitzer Prize, for his 'profound impact on popular music and American culture, marked by lyrical compositions of extraordinary poetic power'. A musician, poet, and celebrated nonconformist of unparalleled stature, Dylan is revered by critics and fans alike as the most influential singer-songwriter in the history of popular music. For more than four decades he has been winning the hearts and minds of folk and rock lovers around the world. Infusing a distinct brand of personal philosophy and socio-political commentary into his lyrics, Dylan has journeyed through a variety of musical phases, from traditional folk, blues, and country, to gospel and rock and roll, all the while establishing a unique soundtrack to our lives. Setting out in 1961 as a young man with a guitar and a harmonica, this elusive and enigmatic artist has grown into an international cultural icon as a tireless author of over 30 albums and a relentless live performer. This concise overview covers Dylan's entire career via texts and images.