Home » Music » History of Rock » 1960 (Part III: Folk and Bob Dylan)

1960 (Part III: Folk and Bob Dylan)

© Robert Whillans

After two years of hard work, his reputation left the contains of the Village, and record producer John Hammond decided to sign him to his label. His first album, self titled, got a bad reception from both critics and his audience. He continued to work, and soon released one of the most celebrated albums of rock history, The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan, which included his first protest songs such as "Blowin' In The Wind" and "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall", the first about civil rights, and the second about the Cuban missile crisis and the threat of nuclear war. His third album was perhaps his final folk album, titled The Times They Are A-Changin. The title song of the record became an anthem for the millions across the United States that had, thanks to his music, started to recognize the injustices around them. In 1963, he performed at New York City's Carnegie Hall, where he received bad reviews and death threats.

For two years, he stepped out of the music industry to work with Joan Baez, another folk singer who was gaining popularity singing protest songs. In 1965, he released Bringing It All Back Home, a half electric, half nine-piece band album that included "Mr. Tambourine Man," and "Subterranean Homesick Blues". Most thought he had seen the last of musical success, but were proven wrong when he performed at Newport's Folk Festival. Although the all those present were disappointed at his new personality, his electric performance made people in the rock industry start to recognize him. He combined the political message of folk music with the popularity of rock music and started a revolution which would last the rest of the sixties, making college students aware of their ability to change things around them. During this revolution, however, he went into seclusion due to a near-fatal motorcycle accident in 1966, and didn't release anything of note for the rest of the decade. His only musical contribution afterwards were strange, rambling songs that weren't well received by anyone. He stopped working as a musician to concentrate on his family, and has only emerged for some reunion concerts and his induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988. He has since released Time Out of Mind in 1997, and overcame a near-fatal heart attack in the same year.