Bob Dylan may be selling his Scottish mansion at the age of 82 – but he's still rocking, says Rosie Dean Harding
After 17 years, Bob Dylan is selling his Scottish Highlands mansion for £3 million. He has come a long way; it's hard to believe that one of the most successful singer-songwriters was once spending his days playing a little bit of folk music in a coffee house for anyone interested enough to listen.
I’m a big Bob Dylan fan. The recent news of him parting with his mansion has led me to look back at his creative genius throughout the years which has earned him his lifestyle. It seems like one of my life’s missions is to collect the entirety of Bob Dylan’s material on vinyl and CD, a sort of tribute to one of the greats. However, this is an impossible task. With 17 bootleg series and 40 studio albums, he has built a discography so large that you could get lost in his work for days. For someone aged 82, the sheer volume of what he has created is commendable.
One of his most iconic songs, Blowin’ In The Wind, was created when he was primarily known for his folk and protest songs. Perhaps It remains one of his most iconic works because his powerful lyricism maintains relevance and truth in our modern world. The rest of his discography should be awarded as much praise. Although he transitions through so many different genres, his storytelling and general wisdom shines through.
From folk singer, protest singer, to rockstar, he has even dabbled in country music. Dylan’s variety reveals that he should not be confined to one certain genre. Which is exactly what we saw happen when he first experimented with the electric guitar. Pinning an artist down to one style is ridiculous. They should have free rein to explore the depths of their own creativity. Some of his more recent tunes, such as False prophet, reveal a more bluesy side to him, an expected step for his career, yet I find it impressive how each style of music fits him like a glove.
Blonde on Blonde is his masterpiece and Bob Dylan agrees! He had described the album, which is famous for its beautiful tracks, Visions of Johanna and Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands, as the closest he had ever come to finding his true sound: some jaunty, some silly, others profoundly moving. With each song, you are hypnotised by his surreal imagery and unique vocals, which is why this record in particular is proudly displayed on my shelf above the others. The range of his work is enough evidence of his unique creative power.
While some singer-songwriters' talent and energy deflate over time, Bob Dylan is still busy doing what he loves. Maybe the key to this is simply persistence. I wouldn’t know. I am no musician; but to continue for so long must be some kind of miracle
