Top 10 Most influential Bands/Artists #9 - Bob Dylan

Yes, that is right,  number nine.  I said it.  I did not already have a number nine previously, this is the first time I have mentioned a number 9.  (Well, I did have a brain fart and put Rush at number nine, but then, after careful consideration and much listening, I have decided that they will be pushed up to a top five placing, to be shared with someone else then, because I don't have enough room).

My real choice for number nine will be Bob Dylan.  Here is an artist that also, like Rush, can have a real love/hate relationship. Some will read and think I have gone absolutely bonkers only placing Dylan at nine, and others will think "what the hell is he doing there?"  Well, love him or hate him, Dylan definitely deserves to be on any crackpot's top ten list.

Robert Zimmerman, AKA Bob Dylan began his musical career as a folk artist, and for the most part, stayed that way through his never ending career.  His first album was released nearly 50 years ago in 1962.  Most of his early recordings were acoustic, and it wasn't until 1965, when he released his fifth album, Bring it all Back Home, that Dylan surprised everyone and released an electric album.  Later that year, Dylan released Highway 61 Revisited, which featured the track Like a Rolling Stone, which is credited in Rolling Stone Magazine to be the number one written song of all time. (Though, I feel that Times, They are a Changing to be his greatest song that is truly timeless).

So why does Bob Dylan deserve to be here?  Well, it could start with the 34 studio albums, 58 singles, 13 live albums and 14 compilations that he has under his belt.  It could also be that nearly every singer/songwriter wishes to have just a fraction of the success that Dylan has.  Hell, even his backing electric band for a few years "The Band," made it huge.  Countless people have covered his songs like Knockin' on Heaven's Door (G n' R), Maggie's Farm (Rage Against the Machine), If Not for You (George Harrison), Master's of War (Pearl Jam). And in many cases, made them better - Jimi Hendrix's version of All along the Watchtower.  Bob Dylan has impacted and help shape modern music for generations to come.  He is a political activist, protester, poet, writer - there is nothing he really hasn't done in popular music.  He came from a time where you actually needed talent to perform (and yes, I know he isn't the world's greatest singer).

(I couldn't get the actual intro to embed, but here is the song at least).

-d