THEY LIVED HERE – BOB DYLAN

As one of the most significant musical performers in American history, Bob Dylan took it upon himself to define what it means to be a singer and songwriter. For more than four decades, his unique voice and influential lyrics have resonated through the minds of the public.
It is interesting to note however that Dylan's own influences may have stemmed from his stay in Flushing.
Dylan was born on May 24, 1941 in Duluth, Minnesota. Originally named Robert Allen Zimmerman, Dylan, along with his parents Abraham Zimmerman and Beatrice Stone, were part of a small Jewish community. While he attended the University of Minnesota he began to perform folk and country songs at small venues. He later adopted the name &#8220Bob Dylan” after the Welsh poet Dylan Thomas.
Growing up, Dylan was influenced by various public figures such as Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and Little Richard. However, Dylan had a special connection with fellow folk singer Woody Guthrie. So much so that after he dropped out of college in 1960, Dylan hitchhiked to New York to meet his idol. Dylan stayed near Reeves Avenue and 150th Street in South Flushing. He visited Guthrie often in the hospital after he was diagnosed with a disease of the nervous system.
Dylan thereafter continued writing songs and became a regular performer in Greenwich Village. His music received rave reviews which eventually led to his signing with Columbia Records in 1961. After releasing songs such as &#8220Blowin' in the Wind” and &#8220A Hard Rain's A Gonna Fall” in the 60's, Dylan gained the reputation of being the premier singer/songwriter of the protest movement, a label he did not particularly enjoy.
For the next three decades Dylan made an effort to continually reinvent himself. He shifted away from folk music and adopted a rock sound. He also began using electric instruments along with acoustics. This transition did not carry over well with fans however; Dylan's powerful lyrics were enough to keep them interested.
Dylan's first number one hit, &#8220Knocking on Heaven's Door,” was released in 1973. He spent most of the 80's touring and during the 90's his contributions to the world of music gained more recognition. Dylan received the Lifetime Achievement Grammy in 1991 and his 1997 album, Time Out of Mind, won three Grammys. He also won an Oscar in 2001 for the song &#8220Things Have Changed” from the movie Wonder Boys (2000). Over his career, Dylan has released a staggering amount of records; his most recent album, Modern Times, released on August 29, 2006 is Dylan's first number one album in the U.S. in thirty years.