I'm of the opposite camp. I think Dylan is severely overrated, and lucky in that he and his style came along at the right place and time, but for me, remains 'married' to that bohemian sixties generation.

He's obviously a decent songwriter in that he had several songs hit with other artists, but...

Nobel prize? Literature? I'd like to know who did the nominating. Maybe the same folks who listed "Imagine" as the best song of the past 50 years? [Linked Image]

I think the lion's share of his lionization is a 'cult of personality' thing and I don't imagine him anywhere near the level of a Webber, Wilson, Gershwin, Porter, Bacharach, Mercer, or even Townshend for that matter (and before you dismiss the latter, remember that he has composed songs that have sustained two major motion pictures and a Tony award-winning Broadway musical, the latter being, for me, a hallmark of songcraft).

So, while Dylan has his fans from those still alive from the sixties and a certain "Rolling Stone establishment" critical acclaim, I really don't see him or his music being remembered 100 years from now.

But high schools and local theatres will still be performing things like Music Man, Kiss Me Kate, and Tommy.


[This message has been edited by RobertK (edited 10-13-2004).]