Bob Dylan Biography

Bob Dylan was born as Robert Allen Zimmerman to Abram Zimmerman and Beatrice Stone in Minnesota on May 24, 1941, where he was raised in a close-knit Jewish community. He loved music from a young age and spent hours listening to the radio.

He changed his name to “Bob Dylan” when he started performing. After quitting college in 1960, he went to New York City in 1961, in order to pursue a career in music. He started playing at clubs and explored the music scenario.

During the 1960s, he became immensely popular both as a song-writer and a singer. During this time he also actively became involved in the civil rights movement. One of his biggest hits, the single, ‘Like a Rolling Stone’ was released in 1965, which peaked at no. 1 in the UK charts.

In the 1970s, he ventured into films and starred in the 1973 Western drama ‘Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid’. He also composed and sang several songs for the film. The film however was a failure at the box office.

He embarked on a year-long world tour in 1978, in which he was accompanied by an eight piece band and three backing singers. He performed concerts in Japan, Europe and the US, giving a total of 114 shows. This tour earned him more than $20 million.

During the 1980s, he toured more, and often collaborated with other musicians and bands. He toured extensively with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers during 1986-87. Some of his biggest albums of the period include ‘Infidels’ (1983), ‘Knocked Out Loaded’ (1986) and ‘Oh Mercy’ (1989).

Bob Dylan continued performing throughout the 1990s, though he was no longer one of the top musicians. But he surprised his dissenters by producing the album, ‘Time Out of Mind’ in 1997, which went on to win three Grammy Awards including Album of the Year award.

The prolific singer continued releasing albums, touring and performing stage shows in 2000s, even though now he was in his sixties. He still keeps active and released the album ‘Tempest’ in 2012. In 2020, he released the album 'Rough and Rowdy Ways.'

The album ‘Slow Train Coming’ out in 1979, peaked at No. 1 in Australia. The album explored the musician’s new found Christian faith, and stressed upon the relevance of Christian philosophy, drawing religious people to it. It went platinum in the US and Canada.

Bob Dylan is the proud recipient of several awards. He has won 11 Grammy Awards, the most recent one being Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance for ‘Someday Baby’ in 2007.

Bob Dylan married Sara Lownds in 1965, and had four children with her. He also adopted Sara’s daughter from a previous relationship, Maria. The couple divorced in 1977.

He formed a relationship with the singer Carolyn Dennis which resulted in the birth of a daughter. He married Carolyn in 1986. This marriage too ended in divorce in 1992. He has three daughters and three sons, including Desiree Gabrielle Dennis Dylan and Jakob.

Bob Dylan's real name is Robert Allen Zimmerman. He legally changed it to Bob Dylan.