Early Life and Education of Bob Dylan: A Complete Timeline

Discover the defining moments in the early life of Bob Dylan. From birth to education, explore key events.

Bob Dylan is a highly influential American singer-songwriter, renowned as one of history's greatest songwriters. His career, spanning over six decades, has profoundly impacted popular culture. Having sold over 125 million records, Dylan stands as one of the best-selling musicians ever. In the early 1960s, he revolutionized folk music by incorporating sophisticated lyrical techniques and intellectualism, drawing from classic literature and poetry. Dylan's lyrics, infused with political, social, and philosophical themes, challenged pop music norms and resonated with the burgeoning counterculture movement.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

1902: Stone Emigration

In 1902, Bob Dylan's maternal grandparents emigrated from Lithuania to the United States.

1905: Zimmerman Emigration

In 1905, Bob Dylan's paternal grandparents emigrated from Odessa in the Russian Empire to the United States, following pogroms against Jews.

May 24, 1941: Bob Dylan Born

On May 24, 1941, Robert Allen Zimmerman, who would later be known as Bob Dylan, was born. He is an American singer-songwriter who is considered one of the greatest songwriters of all time and a major figure in popular culture.

May 1954: Dylan's Bar Mitzvah

In May 1954, Bob Dylan had his bar mitzvah in Hibbing, Minnesota.

January 31, 1959: Dylan Sees Buddy Holly

On January 31, 1959, 17-year-old Bob Dylan saw Buddy Holly perform at the Duluth Armory, four days before Holly’s fatal plane crash, which electrified him.

September 1959: Enrollment at University of Minnesota

In September 1959, Bob Dylan enrolled at the University of Minnesota and began performing at the Ten O'Clock Scholar coffeehouse.

May 1960: Drops Out of College

In May 1960, Bob Dylan dropped out of college at the end of his first year.

January 1961: Travels to New York City

In January 1961, Bob Dylan traveled to New York City to perform and visit his musical idol Woody Guthrie.

February 1961: Performs in Greenwich Village

From February 1961, Bob Dylan played at clubs around Greenwich Village, befriending folk singers and picking up material.

October 21, 1961: Birth of Maria Lownds (Later Dylan)

On October 21, 1961, Sara Lownds gave birth to Maria Lownds (later Dylan), who was later adopted by Bob Dylan.

1961: Arrival in New York City

In 1961, Bob Dylan arrived in New York City.

1961: Dylan's Arrival in New York

In 1961, Bob Dylan arrived in New York, marking the beginning of his rise to stardom, as depicted in the film "A Complete Unknown" released in 2024.

August 9, 1962: Legal Name Change

On August 9, 1962, Robert Allen Zimmerman legally changed his name to Robert Dylan.

December 1962: First Trip to the United Kingdom

From December 1962 to January 1963, Bob Dylan made his first trip to the United Kingdom to appear in Madhouse on Castle Street.

1962: Early Years in New York City

In 1962, Bob Dylan continued his early years in New York City, a period he later focused on in his memoir.

1962: Unreleased song John Brown

In 1962, Bob Dylan wrote the song "John Brown", an unreleased song about how enthusiasm for war ends in mutilation and disillusionment.

May 1963: Walkout of The Ed Sullivan Show

In May 1963, Bob Dylan walked out of The Ed Sullivan Show due to censorship of "Talkin' John Birch Paranoid Blues".

August 28, 1963: March on Washington Performance

On August 28, 1963, Bob Dylan and Joan Baez sang together at the March on Washington, where Dylan performed "Only a Pawn in Their Game" and "When the Ship Comes In".

1963: Tom Paine Award Acceptance

Towards the end of 1963, Bob Dylan questioned the role of the Emergency Civil Liberties Committee while accepting the "Tom Paine Award", after the assassination of John F. Kennedy.

1964: End of Relationship with Suze Rotolo

In 1964, Bob Dylan's relationship with artist Suze Rotolo ended.

November 22, 1965: Dylan Marries Sara Lownds

On November 22, 1965, Bob Dylan married Sara Lownds, who had worked as a model and secretary at Drew Associates.

1965: Relationship with Baez Fizzles Out

By the time of Bob Dylan's 1965 tour of the UK, his romantic relationship with Joan Baez had begun to fizzle out.

January 6, 1966: Birth of Jesse Byron Dylan

On January 6, 1966, Jesse Byron, the first child of Bob Dylan and Sara Lownds, was born.

February 1966: Public Reveal of Bob Dylan's Marriage to Sara Lownds

In February 1966, Nora Ephron revealed Bob Dylan's marriage to Sara Lownds in the New York Post with the headline "Hush! Bob Dylan is wed".

July 1966: Motorcycle Accident and Hiatus

In July 1966, Bob Dylan had a motorcycle crash, which led him to cease touring for seven years.

July 29, 1966: Motorcycle Accident

On July 29, 1966, Bob Dylan crashed his motorcycle near his home in Woodstock, New York, reportedly breaking several vertebrae in his neck. The circumstances of the accident remain unclear, but it provided him with a break from the pressures of his career.

1966: Dylan's Exhaustion and Drug Use on Tour

During his 1966 tour, Bob Dylan was described as exhausted and acting "as if on a death trip," with reports of amphetamine and other drug use to cope with the demands of the road.

1966: Motorcycle Crash

In 1966, Bob Dylan experienced a motorcycle crash, which marked the end of the period covered in the documentary No Direction Home.

July 11, 1967: Birth of Anna Lea Dylan

On July 11, 1967, Anna Lea, the second child of Bob Dylan and Sara Lownds, was born.

July 30, 1968: Birth of Samuel Isaac Abram Dylan

On July 30, 1968, Samuel Isaac Abram, the third child of Bob Dylan and Sara Lownds, was born.

1968: Baez writes about Dylan in Daybreak

In 1968, Joan Baez wrote about Bob Dylan admiringly in Daybreak.

December 9, 1969: Birth of Jakob Luke Dylan

On December 9, 1969, Jakob Luke, the fourth child of Bob Dylan and Sara Lownds, was born.

1969: Dylan Discussed Drug Use

In a 1969 interview with Jann Wenner, Bob Dylan admitted to drug use during his extensive touring in order to cope with the pressure.

June 9, 1970: Dylan Received Honorary Degree from Princeton

On June 9, 1970, Bob Dylan received an honorary degree from Princeton University.

1971: Dylan Visits Israel

Around the time of his 30th birthday, in 1971, Bob Dylan visited Israel, and also met Rabbi Meir Kahane, founder of the New York-based Jewish Defense League.

September 1974: Recording Blood on the Tracks

In September 1974, Bob Dylan recorded the album "Blood on the Tracks", filled with songs about relationships, after his tour and estrangement from his wife.

1975: Championing Rubin "Hurricane" Carter and Rolling Thunder Revue

In 1975, Dylan championed Rubin "Hurricane" Carter with his ballad "Hurricane" and performed the song throughout his Rolling Thunder Revue tour.

1975: Rolling Thunder Revue and Renaldo and Clara Film

In 1975, Dylan's Rolling Thunder Revue tour served as the backdrop for his film "Renaldo and Clara", a mix of narrative, concert footage, and reminiscences.

June 29, 1977: Bob and Sara Dylan Divorced

On June 29, 1977, Bob and Sara Dylan were divorced.

November 1978: Dylan Makes Contact with Vineyard School of Discipleship

In November 1978, guided by his friend Mary Alice Artes, Bob Dylan made contact with the Vineyard School of Discipleship and expressed his desire to have Christ in his life.

1978: Release and Reception of Renaldo and Clara

In 1978, Dylan's film "Renaldo and Clara" was released and received negative reviews, later followed by a more widely released two-hour edit with more concert performances.

1978: Sara Dylan plays Clara in Renaldo and Clara

In 1978, Sara Dylan played the role of Clara in Bob Dylan's film Renaldo and Clara.

March 1979: Dylan Attends Bible Study Classes

From January to March 1979, Bob Dylan attended Vineyard's Bible study classes in Reseda, California.

1979: Start of 'Born Again' Christian Period

In 1979, Bob Dylan started his 'Born Again' Christian period, which was described by Rolling Stone as "an intense, wildly controversial time that produced three albums and some of the most confrontational concerts of his long career".

1980: Touring and Declarations of Faith

In late 1979 and early 1980, during his tour, Dylan refused to play his older, secular works, and delivered declarations of his Christian faith from the stage.

1981: End of 'Born Again' Christian Period

In 1981, Bob Dylan's 'Born Again' Christian period ended, a period described by Rolling Stone as "an intense, wildly controversial time that produced three albums and some of the most confrontational concerts of his long career".

1981: The New York Times on Dylan's Conversion

In 1981, Stephen Holden wrote in The New York Times that Dylan's conversion to Christianity had not altered his iconoclastic temperament.

1984: Dylan Distances Himself from "Born Again" Label

By 1984, Bob Dylan was distancing himself from the "born again" label, telling Kurt Loder of Rolling Stone that he had never said he was "born again."

July 13, 1985: Performance at Live Aid and Controversial Remarks

On July 13, 1985, Dylan performed at the Live Aid concert in Philadelphia and made controversial remarks about using funds to pay farmers' mortgages.

January 31, 1986: Birth of Desiree Gabrielle Dennis-Dylan

On January 31, 1986, Desiree Gabrielle Dennis-Dylan, the daughter of Bob Dylan and Carolyn Dennis, was born.

June 4, 1986: Dylan Marries Carolyn Dennis

On June 4, 1986, Bob Dylan married Carolyn Dennis.

1987: Baez writes about Dylan in And A Voice to Sing With

In 1987, Joan Baez wrote about Bob Dylan less admiringly in And A Voice to Sing With.

December 1988: Death of Roy Orbison

In December 1988, Roy Orbison, a member of the Traveling Wilburys, passed away.

1989: Dylan appears on the Chabad telethon

In 1989, Bob Dylan appeared on the Chabad telethon.

1991: Allegations of Drinking Impairing Performances

In 1990 and 1991, Dylan was described as drinking heavily, impairing his performances on stage, which he dismissed in an interview with Rolling Stone.

1991: Dylan appears on the Chabad telethon

In 1991, Bob Dylan appeared on the Chabad telethon.

October 1992: Dylan and Dennis Divorce

In October 1992, Bob Dylan and Carolyn Dennis divorced.

1994: Publishing of Paintings and Drawings

Since 1994, Bob Dylan has published nine books of paintings and drawings, and his work has been exhibited in major art galleries.

1997: Dylan on Superior Power

In 1997, Bob Dylan told David Gates of Newsweek that there's a superior power, that this is not the real world and that there's a world to come.

2001: Marriage and Child Revealed

In 2001, the marriage between Bob Dylan and Carolyn Dennis and their child was revealed by Howard Sounes's biography.

2004: Harvard University Creates "Dylan" Seminar

In 2004, Richard F. Thomas at Harvard University created a freshman seminar titled "Dylan", exploring his connections with classical poets.

2004: Dylan on Lying to God

In a 2004 interview with 60 Minutes, Bob Dylan said, "the only person you have to think twice about lying to is either yourself or to God".

2005: Baez Recalls Relationship in Documentary

In 2005, Joan Baez recalled her relationship with Bob Dylan in Martin Scorsese's documentary film 'No Direction Home'.

2008: Publication of Suze Rotolo's Memoir

In 2008, Suze Rotolo published 'A Freewheelin' Time', a memoir about her life in Greenwich Village and her relationship with Bob Dylan in the 1960s.

July 2011: Gagosian Gallery Represents Dylan

In July 2011, the Gagosian Gallery, a leading contemporary art gallery, announced their representation of Bob Dylan's paintings, marking a significant step in his visual arts career.

December 2013: Auction of Dylan's Stratocaster

In December 2013, the Fender Stratocaster that Bob Dylan played at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival was sold for $965,000, becoming the second highest price paid for a guitar at auction.

June 2014: Auction of "Like a Rolling Stone" Lyrics

In June 2014, Bob Dylan's hand-written lyrics of "Like a Rolling Stone" were sold at auction for $2 million, setting a record for a popular music manuscript.

March 2, 2016: Sale of Dylan's Archive Announced

On March 2, 2016, the sale of Bob Dylan's archive of approximately 6,000 items to the George Kaiser Family Foundation and the University of Tulsa was announced. The sale price was estimated between $15 million and $20 million.

April 2018: Launch of Heaven's Door Whiskey Brand

In April 2018, The New York Times reported that Bob Dylan was launching Heaven's Door, a range of three whiskeys. Dylan has been involved in both the creation and the marketing of the range.

April 2019: Dylan's Never Ending Tour

By April 2019, Bob Dylan and his band had performed over 3,000 shows as part of the Never Ending Tour, supported by long-time bassist Tony Garnier.

2019: Use of Autopen begins

Since 2019, Bob Dylan had been using an autopen to sign books and artwork that were subsequently sold as "hand-signed". He apologized for this practice in November 2022.

December 2020: Sale of Song Catalog to Universal Music Publishing Group

In December 2020, Bob Dylan sold his entire song catalog to Universal Music Publishing Group for an estimated price of more than $300 million.

2021: Recording of Blowin' in the Wind

In 2021, Bob Dylan recorded "Blowin' in the Wind", which was later auctioned on July 7, 2022 for GBP £1,482,000.

May 10, 2022: Opening of the Bob Dylan Center

On May 10, 2022, the Bob Dylan Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, opened to house Dylan's archive, which includes notebooks, lyrics drafts, recordings, and correspondence.

July 7, 2022: Auction of "Blowin' in the Wind" Recording

On July 7, 2022, Christie's, London, auctioned a 2021 recording of Bob Dylan singing "Blowin' in the Wind" for GBP £1,482,000.

November 2022: Dylan Apologizes for Autopen Use

In November 2022, Bob Dylan apologized for using an autopen to sign books and artwork that were subsequently sold as "hand-signed" since 2019.

December 2022: Dylan Reaffirms Religious Outlook

In December 2022, Bob Dylan reaffirmed his religious outlook, stating that he reads the scriptures, meditates, prays, lights candles in church, and believes in damnation, salvation, and predestination.