Bob Dylan is an artist who emerged as a folk musician but had an impact way beyond the confines of the genre. Robert Zimmerman was born on May 24th 1941 in Minnesota. His early influences were rock and roll artists like Little Richard and Buddy Holly but it was when he went to the University of Minnesota in 1959 that he really developed a passion for American folk music, drawn by the melancholy and depth this material offered.
As with many of the folk artists of the 1960s, inspiration came in the form of Woody Guthrie whom Dylan befriended. Dylan was also influenced by Ramblin’ Jack Elliott and lent his harmonica playing to his eponymous album. These associations and recording sessions led to Dylan coming to the attention of Columbia Records and producer John Hammond, and in 1962 his debut album, , was released.
However, it was 1963’s that began to bring him more attention, laden as it was with protest songs, a very popular style of the day. serves as the engine room for his songwriting, and it really propels his songs along. It’s worth noting that Dylan’s acoustic rhythm playing in many ways defines the American folk sound of the 1960s; it’s never intrusive but always solid, serving as a perfect backdrop to the lyrics and melody.
There are two distinct sides to Dylan’s approach to acoustic guitar as he either strums basic chords or weaves deft fingerpicking patterns, usually focusing on the open position as is traditional with the folk style. It’s the latter we.
