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Bob Dylan (born Robert Allen Zimmerman) (b. 1941), singer-songwriter and one of the most influential figures in popular music, laureate of 2016 Nobel Prize for Literature, born in Duluth, MN, United States, into a family of Jewish immigrants from Odessa, Ukraine, and from Lithuania.

From an early age, Dylan demonstrated a passion for music. He taught himself to play the guitar, piano, and harmonica, and drew inspiration from folk, blues, and country music. While attending the University of Minnesota in the early 1960s, he began performing at coffeehouses and clubs, quickly gaining a reputation for his heartfelt interpretations of traditional folk songs. As of 1961 he settled in New York City.

In 1962, Dylan signed with Columbia Records and released his self-titled debut album, which showcased his song writing talents. The album received critical acclaim, but it was his second release, The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan (1963), that propelled him to stardom. The album's songs, including Blowin' in the Wind and A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall, captured the spirit of social and political unrest in the United States and established Dylan as the voice of a generation.

Throughout the 1960s, Dylan's music and persona underwent significant transformations. He embraced electric instrumentation, causing controversy among his folk music purist fans, but also expanding his artistic horizons. Albums like Bringing It All Back Home (1965), Highway 61 Revisited (1965), and Blonde on Blonde (1966) showcased his mastery of combining poetic lyrics with rock music, and his influence on the burgeoning counterculture movement of the time was undeniable.

Dylan's song writing continued to evolve, reflecting his introspective and philosophical nature. He penned introspective ballads such as Like a Rolling Stone, which became a chart-topping hit in 1965, and Mr. Tambourine Man, a song that introduced surreal imagery into popular music. With each new release, Dylan experimented with different styles, often confounding audience expectations and maintaining an air of mystery and unpredictability.

In addition to his musical achievements, Dylan was actively involved in civil rights and anti-war movements. He performed at the historic March on Washington in 1963, where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech. Dylan's songs, such as The Times They Are a-Changin' and Masters of War, became anthems of the era, inspiring generations of activists.

The 1970s marked a period of personal and artistic transition for Dylan. Following a motorcycle accident in 1966, he retreated from the public eye and released a series of introspective albums, including John Wesley Harding (1967) and Blood on the Tracks (1975), which delved into themes of love, loss, and spirituality.  Dylan's career continued to flourish in the ensuing decades. He embarked on numerous tours, often referred to as the "Never-Ending Tour," and released critically acclaimed albums such as Time Out of Mind (1997), which earned him multiple Grammy Awards, and Modern Times (2006), which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart.

In recognition of his contributions to music and culture, Dylan has received numerous accolades, including the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2016, making him the first musician to receive the prestigious honor.