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Cake Is Just A Four-Letter Word: Dylan Turns 70

by Linda Fahey

Partner content from:Folk Alley

  • Robert Allen Zimmerman, known to most as Bob Dylan, was born May 24, 1941. The native Minnesotan relocated to the Big Apple in 1961 after dropping out of college; he's shown here in 1962.
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    Robert Allen Zimmerman, known to most as Bob Dylan, was born May 24, 1941. The native Minnesotan relocated to the Big Apple in 1961 after dropping out of college; he's shown here in 1962.
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    John Cohen/Getty Images/Courtesy of Life
  • Dylan, who had legally changed his name in 1962, performs with Joan Baez in 1963.
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    Dylan, who had legally changed his name in 1962, performs with Joan Baez in 1963.
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    Columbia Records/Getty Images/Courtesy of Life
  • Dylan sports shades in London in April 1965. In March of that year he had made his first move toward electric instruments when he released "Subterranean Homesick Blues."
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    Dylan sports shades in London in April 1965. In March of that year he had made his first move toward electric instruments when he released "Subterranean Homesick Blues."
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    Doug McKenzie/Getty Images/Courtesy of Life
  • Dylan at a London press conference. The previous summer, his first electric concert — at the Newport Folk Festival — prompted boos from the audience, and he left the stage after only three songs.
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    Dylan at a London press conference. The previous summer, his first electric concert — at the Newport Folk Festival — prompted boos from the audience, and he left the stage after only three songs.
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    Express Newspapers/Getty Images/Courtesy of Life
  • Dylan in concert in 1974.
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    Dylan in concert in 1974.
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    R. Diamond/WireImage/Courtesy of Life
  • Dylan performs in 2009. President Bill Clinton once said of him, "He probably had more impact on people of my generation than any other creative artist."
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    Dylan performs in 2009. President Bill Clinton once said of him, "He probably had more impact on people of my generation than any other creative artist."
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    Kevin Winter/Getty Images/Courtesy of Life

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Robert Allen Zimmerman, known to many as Bob Dylan, was born May 24, 1941. FolkAlley.com is celebrating Dylan's 70th birthday with a special four-hour stream that features many artists paying tribute to the prolific and influential songwriter.

Hear music from Joan Baez, Tim O'Brien, Rosanne Cash, Jimmy Lafave, Eliza Gilkyson, Guy Davis, Lucy Kaplansky, Richie Havens, Nanci Griffith, Sarah Jarosz, many others — and Dylan himself.

See more photos of "Bob Dylan Through the Years" at Life.

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Bob Dylan

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