CLEVELAND Rock Hall celebrates Dylan's 65th birthday with exhibit

The exhibit covers the decade from 1956 to 1966.
By JOHN BENSON
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
Over the past 50 years there have been plenty of rock 'n' roll explosions; however, for many, the first big bang was the arrival of outspoken folk singer Robert Allen Zimmerman from Minnesota. You might know him better as Bob Dylan.
Today, the legend remains an enigma to many, which is why the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is celebrating his 65th birthday with the "Bob Dylan's American Journey 1956-1966" exhibit, which runs from Saturday to Sept. 4.
"It's a gorgeous exhibit about Bob Dylan," said Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Curatorial Director Howard Kramer. "It's about an incredibly fertile portion of his career and about America in general. It was a no-brainer."
The display marks not only the first time the Rock Hall has featured a Dylan exhibit but also the first time a traveling Experience Music Project exhibit has been displayed on the shores of Lake Erie. A West Coast counterpart to the Rock Hall, Seattle's Experience Music Project rock 'n' roll museum put together the extensive "Bob Dylan's American Journey 1956-1966," which features over 150 artifacts. This includes Dylan's 1949 Martin guitar, typed and handwritten lyrics, rare concert posters and handbills, signed albums, photographs and excerpts from various documentaries and interviews.
Metamorphosis
The decade covered in the exhibit documents Zimmerman's metamorphosis from Woody Guthrie-inspired folk singer to cultural icon Bob Dylan, who not only commented on social changes but instigated the movement with his music and voice.
"We're always going to be asked what was it like to have a juggernaut musical entity like Dylan come along and change everything," Kramer said. "And I think the thing that is the closest memory to most people would be Nirvana. And I'm just comparing them in the sense that they came along and changed everything. There is literally a before Nirvana and after Nirvana in terms of contemporary music. The same can be said of Dylan."
What's interesting to consider is Dylan's place in contemporary music. Having released dozens upon dozens of albums over the last 44 years, has he become underappreciated by following generations?
"I think he's underrated in the sense that we all know he's Dylan with a capital D but a lot of people don't know exactly why," said Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum Vice President of Education Warren Zanes. "And I think one of the whys is this is an artist with so much creative fire driving him that he has been capable of resurfacing and changing and making himself newly relevant so many times, it's astounding."
Much more to come
Whereas "Bob Dylan's American Journey 1956-1966" looks back, Dylan's story is far from over. As one of the last original giants from his era, with the Rolling Stones being the other, Dylan remains a touring and recording musician. In fact, there's talk of another studio project due out later this year.
To better put it in perspective, Zanes points out the disparity between Dylan and Mick Jagger and Keith Richards.
"It's different from what the [Rolling] Stones are doing," Zanes said. "The Stones' most vibrant material is not their most recent material. Dylan, you get the sense he could still deliver his heaviest record with the next one."