The Legend of Robert Allen Zimmerman

The Legend of Robert Allen Zimmerman

The name Robert Allen Zimmerman doesn’t ring a bell in many heads. However, the name Bob Dylan does. Well, they’re the same person. 

Before becoming Bob Dylan, Robert Allen Zimmerman saw himself as a disciple of Woody Guthrie, quoting that Guthrie’s ‘songs themselves had the infinite sweep of humanity in them … [He] was the true voice of the American spirit’.

Robert Allen Zimmerman changed his name to Bob Dylan in August 1962 after producing a self-titled album in March 1962. The album itself would use traditional folk songs from across America while attaching them to the most pressing issues of modern times. These songs would act in support of political action, in many cases being adopted into the movements themselves, as well as inspiring new artistic movements.

One of the most famous Bob Dylan songs was named “Blowin’ in the Wind”. The song itself was released during the peak of the American Civil Rights movement. Although written by a young, white male, many of those tied to the Civil Rights Movement, such as singer Mavis Staples, could not believe how someone could come to understand the struggles, frustrations and aspirations of African Americans.

The lyrics that come to mind when thinking of this song and its links to the struggle of African Americans and the Civil Rights Movement are the lyrics: “Yes, and how many years can some people exist/Before they’re allowed to be free?/Yes, and how many times can a man turn his head/And pretend he just doesn’t see?” as well as “Yes, and how many ears must one man have/before he can hear people cry”.

This song would go on to be performed by the group Peter, Paul and Mary on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial hours before Martin Luther King told the world, “I have a dream”.[i]

Bob Dylan did not stop there however, his music would carry the same direction. His lyrics would confront political and social issues throughout history. He would go on to release songs such as “The Times They Are A-Changing” and “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall”, songs which would be linked to youth political revolt and Cold War uncertainty.

To say music could not influence and change history would be narrow-minded. Lyrics can influence thousands.

- Connor Smith

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[i] Barnes, Tom, 5 Bob Dylan Songs That Actually Change the Course of History, https://mic.com/articles/113316/5-bob-dylan-songs-that-actually-changed-the-course-of-history#.Aj7Nnizs4, (March, 20, 2015)