Zimmerman, Robert Allen

1941 - Born on May 24th in Duluth, Minnesota. American folksinger who moved from folk to rock music in the 1960s, infusing the lyrics of rock and roll, theretofore concerned mostly with boy-girl romantic innuendo, with the intellectualism of classic literature and poetry.

1955 - He acquired his first guitar at age 14 and later, as a high school student, played in a series of rock and roll bands. 1959 - Enrolled at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, he served a brief stint playing piano for rising pop star Bobby Vee.

1961 - Dylan was greeted by a typically merciless New York City winter. A survivor at heart, he relied on the generosity of various benefactors who, charmed by his performances at Gerde's Folk City in Greenwich Village, provided meals and shelter. 

         - Critical attention began to accumulate, and he was signed to Columbia Records, releasing his eponymous debut.

1963 - The record was primarily composed of versions of folk and blues standards, the singer lacking the confidence to include more than two of his own original songs, but that had changed by the following release, "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan".

1965 - Bob Dylan was eager to expand his musical approach and began integrating electric instruments into his compositions.

1972 - He made his acting debut in the film Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid and managed to restore some of his diminishing popularity with his song for the film's soundtrack Knockin' On Heaven's Door.