
Bob Dylan is among the most essential figures in all of rock music. And now, over 60 years into his profession, he’s the topic of the brand new biopic A Full Unknown, starring Timothée Chalamet.
Timothée’s efficiency is already getting buzz, and it appears probably that the film will probably be successful! The James Mangold-directed movie is ready within the first half of the 60s, chronicling Bob’s arrival in New York up till his 1965 Newport People Competition look.
The film is ready to hit theaters on Christmas Day 2024, and critics are already beginning to reward Timothée’s portrayal of Bob. The trailer for the movie gave followers a sneak peak in October 2024.
Earlier than going to see Timothée convey Bob’s early days to the large display screen, there are many issues to know in regards to the Blonde on Blonde singer. Hold studying to be taught extra about Bob.
His Actual Identify Isn’t Bob Dylan
It could come as a shock to some, however Bob Dylan’s actual title isn’t “Bob Dylan.” Bob was born Robert Allen Zimmerman in Minnesota in 1941.
As to why Bob selected “Dylan” for his surname, the most typical legend refers to him borrowing it from the poet Dylan Thomas, who was shouted out on Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Division.


Regardless of this being the most typical declare, the person himself really denied these rumors in a 1961 New York Occasions interview. “I didn’t take my title from Dylan Thomas,” he mentioned, by way of WMGK. “Dylan Thomas’ poetry is for those that aren’t actually glad of their mattress – for individuals who dig masculine romance.”
He did clarify that he all the time supposed on altering his title in his memoir Chronicles: Quantity 1. He didn’t clarify if there was a deeper which means to picking “Dylan” as his final title.
“The primary time I used to be requested my title within the Twin Cities, I instinctively and routinely, with out considering, merely mentioned: ‘Bob Dylan,’” he wrote.
“What I used to be going to do as quickly as I left dwelling was simply known as myself Robert Allen. So far as I used to be involved, that was who I used to be – that’s what my mother and father named me. It sounded just like the title of a Scottish king, and I preferred it. There was little of my identification that wasn’t in it.”
Bob Dylan Has Launched 40 Albums


Bob has a large discography. If you’ve been making music for over 60 years, you’ve had a variety of time to make some albums, and there’s loads of Dylan materials for brand new followers to dive into.
Bob’s first album was 1962’s self-titled report, and his most up-to-date was 2023’s Shadow Kingdom. Over the previous 60 years, Bob has launched tons of classics like Freeway 61 Revisited, Blood on the Tracks, and lots of extra.
A lot of Bob’s early hits weren’t for his personal performances. Songs like “Blowin’ within the Wind”, “The Occasions They Are A-Altering”, and “Mr. Tambourine Man” have been all coated by different musicians. Artists like Nina Simone, The Byrds, and Peter, Paul, and Mary recorded their very own variations of Bob’s songs.
Except for the studio albums, Bob has numerous dwell data, bootlegs, compilations, and writing credit for different hits.
He Participated In The Civil Rights Motion


Bob was a significant determine within the Civil Rights Motion within the Sixties. A lot of his songs have been thought of protest anthems, they usually spoke in regards to the civil rights that folks have been combating for.
Songs like “Blowin’ within the Wind” and “The Occasions They Are A-Altering” each expressed concepts in regards to the civil rights motion and the battle towards racism. Bob’s tune “Solely a Pawn in Their Recreation” is in regards to the 1963 assassination of civil rights activist Medgar Evers.
Maybe most notably, Bob additionally carried out on the 1963 March on Washington. He and fellow folks singer Joan Baez have been each slated performers, per Rolling Stone. Bob’s 4 tune set isn’t as nicely often known as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s well-known “I Have a Dream” speech, which he delivered that day.
Bob Dylan Going Electrical Stirred Up Controversy


One of the crucial well-known moments in Bob’s profession, which can be featured in A Full Unknown, was his 1965 efficiency on the Newport People Competition.
After making a reputation for himself as a folks musician (and acoustic performer), Bob shocked the gang on the 1965 pageant by performing with an electrical guitar. He was met with outrage.
Bob solely managed to play three songs, earlier than he was booed off stage. Many folks followers felt that Bob was betraying his fanbase by performing with electrical devices. Some folks had clearly thought he’d bought out.
Regardless of the controversy, lots of the songs with electrical devices have since gone on to be classics. His first electrical tune “Subterranean Homesick Blues” is a beloved traditional, and lots of the tracks on Freeway 61 Revisited are thought to be classics, now.
Bob Dylan Has Performed With Different Iconic Artists


Over time, Bob has gotten to share the stage with tons of traditional artists. Joan Baez was one of many largest names that he carried out with early in his profession. Nonetheless, there are two bands that Bob is most frequently grouped with.
Most famously, Bob is related to The Band. The traditional rockers have been already a longtime act, however Dylan recruited them to be his backing band starting in 1966. Notably, Bob is the one who modified their title to The Band.
When The Band performed their farewell live performance The Final Waltz in 1976, Bob joined them for a number of songs.
Within the late 80s and early 90s, Bob was additionally a member of the Touring Wilburys. The supergroup additionally included George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty, and Roy Orbison. They put out two albums collectively.
He’s Been On A ‘By no means Ending’ Tour For the reason that 80s


Whereas loads of artists decelerate on the street as they grow old, that’s probably not the case for Bob. In June 1988, Bob set out on the “By no means Ending” tour. Bob has been on the street constantly ever since.
He often performs about 100 exhibits per 12 months, and though his 2021-2024 tour was dubbed the “Tough and Rowdy Methods” tour, many nonetheless contemplate it a part of the “By no means Ending” tour.
Whereas many individuals will probably be focused on catching Bob after seeing A Full Unknown, it’s definitely worth the warning that he does make vital modifications to his songs dwell. Followers typically complain about how tough it may be to inform what songs he’s acting at current live shows.