Bob Dylan, the legendary musician and songwriter who began his career in the 1960s, continued to influence popular music to this day. He recently completed a two-month concert tour that included an Oct. 9 performance at Gordon Field House at Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, NY.

Accompanying him was Elvis Costello (solo) and Amos Lee.
Lee gave an upbeat performance with a strong folk background. When Costello took the stage, he was able to control the room with only his voice and his acoustic guitar. He mixed up his performance with both upbeat and soft music. Between songs, he would ease the mood with a joke or two.

Finally, the man of the night entered the stage. Dylan took the floor with his band ready to entertain his fans. He got right to business beginning with many of his new songs, and every once in awhile playing an old classic. He stopped only to get a sip of water or switch instruments. He seemed content and at peace, playing for an hour and a half straight. Just him, his music, and his guitar. Sadly, though, he only played his guitar for the first two songs and then spent the rest of the night on the keyboard or harmonica.

Bob Dylan was born Robert Allen Zimmerman on May 24, 1941 in Duluth, Minnesota. Throughout his childhood he grew up with the radio listening to blues, and country music stations and later early rock and roll. He created his first band when he was still in high school calling themselves The Golden Chords. Later on in 1959 he moved to Minneapolis where he began his university studies. There, he was actively involved in the local Dinkytown folk music circuit. He never finished his studies, quitting in 1961. He moved to New York City and began playing in small clubs.

Critic Robert Shelton wrote a review on Dylan in the New York Times on Sept 29, 1961, leading to legendary talent scout John Hammond signing Dylan with Columbia Records.

Dylan’s debut self-titled album in 1962 consisted of mostly folk, gospel, and blues songs with some of his own material. As he continued to produce his second record in 1963, The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan, he began to really make a name for himself, specializing in protest songs and eventually creating his own genre. Over the years his music has changed with the times. His most recent album was Love and Theft in 2001. This album explored differing American music styles while revisiting his creative roots.

Mark Bialczak, ’77, a music writer for The Syracuse Post-Standard and a Chimes alumnus, said he feels Dylan’s new music will never match any of the albums he put out during his young genius period.

Bialczak said he has seen Dylan in concert 10 times. The last few times Bialczak saw him, he left “doubting his voice,” but he added that Dylan still has a great band and it’s the feeling in the crowd that makes his concerts so great. Dylan, who would usually distance himself from the audience during his concerts, was very different at a show held at the Landmark Theatre, Bialczak said. He remembers during the concert Dylan went along the stage and shook everyone’s hands in the front row.

Dylan, who has been around much longer than many artists, “has his finger on the pulse of a generation from the 60’s,” Bialczak said. Dylan has written hundreds if songs that appeal to people even to this day. And his music is the most covered in the world.

“Dylan has earned the right to play for as long as he wants to play,” Bialczak said. 

Bob Dylan has influenced many generations. He has “struck a universal chord with his songs,” said Bialczak. With his creative instrumentals and his renowned songwriting, he has managed to overcome the test of time. He has remained one of the most well known names in music. Through his music, he has influenced the styles of other artists and has shown that a true musician never loses his passion for the music.