#259 Bob Dylan

In "Chronicles: Volume One," Bob Dylan recounts his transformative journey from a young, ambitious folk singer to a legendary artist, offering intimate insights into his early influences and career-defining moments. Dylan describes his humble beginnings, signing with Leeds Music and Columbia Records thanks to John Hammond's faith in his potential, despite having written only a few songs. He reflects on his self-education through literature and history, the pressures of fame, and his quest for artistic rebirth. The autobiography reveals Dylan's deep reverence for Woody Guthrie, whose work inspired him to pursue his musical identity, and his relentless dedication to his craft, even amid the tumult of personal and public expectations. Dylan's narrative is interwoven with his personal evolution, the impact of his family, and his desire for a simpler life, illustrating the complexities of balancing artistic integrity with the burdens of icon status.

• Bob Dylan signed a contract with Leeds Music, which gave the company the right to publish his songs.
• He received a $100 advance against future royalties for signing the contract.
• John Hammond, a legendary talent scout and discoverer of monumental artists, took Dylan to meet Lou from Leeds Music.
• John Hammond was known for his love of jazz and blues and his legendary status in the history of recorded music.
• Dylan was in disbelief when he was signed to Columbia Records by John Hammond, as folk music was not highly regarded at the time.

"I had just signed a contract with Leeds Music. Giving it the right to publish my songs. Not that there was any great deal to hammer out. I hadn't written much yet. Lou had advanced me a $100 against future royalties to sign the paper, and that was fine with me. John had taken me over to see Lou. John had only heard two of my original compositions. But he had a premonition that there would be more. John was John Hammond, the great talent scout and discoverer of monumental artists. Imposing figures in the history of recorded music."

This quote describes the early stages of Bob Dylan's career, his contract with Leeds Music, and the significant role John Hammond played in recognizing his potential and bringing him into the music industry.

• The autobiography "Chronicles: Volume One" is written by Bob Dylan without any external help or editing.
• The book is highly praised and considered important for entrepreneurs to read.
• Rolling Stone ranked it number one on its list of the top 50 musician biographies and autobiographies.
• The book doesn't follow a traditional autobiography structure but focuses on the transformation of Bobby Zimmerman into Bob Dylan.

"It is called Chronicles, volume one, written by Bob Dylan. In fact, with no help at all."

This quote emphasizes that Bob Dylan wrote his autobiography entirely by himself, which adds authenticity and a personal touch to the narrative.

• Bob Dylan believes that life is about creating yourself, not finding yourself.
• His book was discovered by Truman Sachs, a listener of the podcast, and recommended as an important read.
• The book provides insights into Dylan's approach to life and his career, which are valuable lessons for entrepreneurs.

"And Bob said, life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself."

This quote captures the essence of Bob Dylan's philosophy on life, highlighting the importance of actively shaping one's identity and path rather than passively discovering it.

• Bob Dylan was a significant influence on Steve Jobs and his approach to work.
• Steve Jobs mentioned Bob Dylan numerous times in his biography written by Walter Isaacson.
• Jobs admired Dylan's constant evolution and his ability to be unique.
• Billionaire investor Bill Gurley recommends "Chronicles: Volume One" and discusses Dylan's influence in his talk "Running Down a Dream."

"Dylan was also one of Steve Jobs's heroes and one of his main influences on how he approached his work."

This quote highlights the profound impact Bob Dylan had on Steve Jobs, shaping his philosophy on innovation and the importance of being distinctive.

• Bob Dylan hitchhiked from Minneapolis to New York City with a guitar, a suitcase, and $10 to pursue his dream of becoming a musician.
• He sought to find his music idols, especially Woody Guthrie, and to play his music for people.
• Dylan played in various venues in New York City, starting with less prestigious ones, as he worked his way up.

"The big car came to a full stop at last. I was here in New York City. I was there to find singers. The one that I heard on record. Most of all, to find Woody Guthrie."

This quote describes Bob Dylan's ambitious journey to New York City and his determination to connect with the music scene and his idols, setting the stage for his future success.

• Bob Dylan emphasized his uniqueness in the music scene and did not see himself as similar to any other artist.
• He believed in having a differentiated product, much like the philosophy shared by rapper NF and echoed by Bill Gurley.
• Dylan's distinct repertoire and style set him apart from other musicians, which contributed to his success.

"Billy asked me who I saw myself like in today's music scene. I told him nobody. That was true. I really didn't see myself like anybody else."

This quote reflects Bob Dylan's strong sense of individuality and his belief in the importance of being unique in one's field, a principle that can be applied to entrepreneurship and product differentiation.

• Bob Dylan engaged in "professional research," studying and learning from other musicians to improve his skills.
• He listened to records, copied artists' styles, and attended live performances to absorb and learn from the music.
• His dedication to learning and improving his craft was relentless and played a crucial role in his development as an artist.

"I copied some of his recordings, phrase for phrase."

This quote demonstrates Bob Dylan's commitment to studying his musical influences in depth, a practice that is essential for mastery and innovation in any field.

• Bob Dylan's formative years involved a significant time spent in a back room filled with records.
• He was not interested in the modern world, finding it irrelevant and lacking substance.
• Instead, he was captivated by history and drew inspiration from it for his music.

"The little room was filled with records and a phonograph. Izzy would let me stay back there and listen to them. I listened to as many as I could. The madly complicated modern world was something I took little interest in. It had no relevancy, no weight."

This quote indicates Dylan's early environment, surrounded by music and his disinterest in contemporary society, which he found complicated and insignificant.

• Dylan was influenced by historical figures and events, which informed his music and guitar style.
• He took lines and tones from old songs, learning from the past rather than focusing on the present.

"Was seduced by history. He got a lot of ideas from going through and studying the history of his industry. He would take lines from songs. He would take, like, tones."

Dylan's fascination with history is highlighted as a source of inspiration for his artistry, showing how he incorporated elements from the past into his work.

• Bob Dylan's encounter with Dave Van Ronk at a bar named Izzy's led to his first big break.
• Van Ronk invited Dylan to play a couple of songs in his set, marking the beginning of Dylan's ascent in New York City.

"I stepped over and asked him, how does someone get to work at the Gaslight? Who do you have to know? Van Ronck looked at me curiously, was snippy and surly, and asked if I was a janitor. I told him no, and he could perish the thought, but could I play something for him? He said, sure."

This exchange with Van Ronk demonstrates Dylan's initiative and the serendipitous moment that led to his first significant opportunity in the music scene.

• Dylan discusses the mentality common to entrepreneurs and anyone pursuing their life's dream.
• He describes a sense of premonition and certainty about his impending success, despite the obstacles he faced.

"I had soon be hired to play at the gaslight and I would never seen the basket houses again."

Dylan's confidence in his future success reflects the entrepreneurial spirit and determination to achieve his dreams.

• Dylan was born during a tumultuous time in history, which he believes shaped the perspectives of his generation.
• He reflects on the impact of World War II and the significant political figures of the era.

"I was born in the spring of 1941. The second world war was already raging in Europe and America would soon be in it."

This statement provides context for Dylan's early life, emphasizing the influence of historical events on his worldview and artistic expression.

• Dylan attributes much of his creative process to the extensive reading he did, taking ideas from various books and applying them to his music.
• He describes his intense engagement with literature and how it influenced his thinking and songwriting.

"It is incredible how much reading this guy is going to do and he takes ideas from everything that he reads."

Dylan's commitment to reading and learning is presented as a key component of his artistic development, showing the depth of his intellectual curiosity.

• Books provided Dylan with a wealth of knowledge and inspiration, which he translated into his music.
• He read about historical figures and applied their stories to his own life and work.

"I'd read all this stuff. Voltaire, Rousseau, John Locke, Martin Luther, visionaries, revolutionaries."

Dylan's engagement with the works of philosophers and revolutionaries underscores the breadth of his self-education and its influence on his music.

• Dylan recounts how small gestures of recognition, like a nod from wrestler Gorgeous George, can provide immense encouragement to an artist.
• He emphasizes the importance of these moments in sustaining his motivation and belief in his work.

"That happened to me when gorgeous George, the great wrestler, came to my hometown in the mid 1950s."

This anecdote about Gorgeous George's acknowledgment reveals how even brief moments of encouragement can have a lasting impact on an artist's confidence and drive.

• Dylan learned from other folk singers like Mike Seeger, adapting his approach to music based on their skills and natural abilities.
• He recognized the need to evolve his thought patterns to improve his craft.

"What I had to work at, Mike already had in his genes. It was in his genetic makeup."

Dylan acknowledges the influence of his peers and the importance of learning from others to refine his own musical talent.

• Bob Dylan reflects on the necessity of changing his thought patterns to embrace wider possibilities.
• He realizes he had been limiting his creativity and needed to disorient himself to grow as a composer.
• Fast living was a barrier to his artistic development, leading him to seek a deeper understanding of his craft at the New York City Public Library.

"This music had to be in his blood. It dawned on me that I might have to change my inner thought patterns, that it would have to start believing in possibilities that I wouldn't have allowed."

The quote emphasizes the moment of realization where Dylan acknowledges the need to open up to new creative possibilities that were previously unconsidered.

• Dylan becomes engrossed in studying the American Civil War, not for the issues, but for the language and rhetoric of the times.
• He observes that human nature remains constant and relates the urgency of the past to the present.
• The study of history, particularly the caricatures and underestimation of Abraham Lincoln, provides insight into the complexity of human nature.

"I wasn't so much interested in the issues as intrigued by the language and rhetoric of the times."

This quote highlights Dylan's fascination with the language and expression of the era rather than the political or social issues, indicating a focus on the artistic rather than the historical.

• Dylan studies Beethoven and Hank Williams to inform his own music.
• He learns about Beethoven's troubled life and Hank Williams' death, which deeply affects him.
• Dylan internalizes the "archetype rules of poetic songwriting" from Hank Williams' songs, which later critics recognize in his own work.

"I became aware that in Hank's recorded songs were the archetype rules of poetic songwriting. The architectural forms are like marble pillars, and they had to be there."

The quote signifies Dylan's realization of the foundational elements of songwriting he discovered in Hank Williams' music, which he then incorporated into his own work.

• Dylan's distrust of people is juxtaposed with his fame and the public's perception of him as a generational voice.
• He actively tries to reduce his fame, finding solace in studying the greats and focusing on his music.
• Dylan's personal struggle with fame leads to a desire for a normal life and a rejection of the 'voice of a generation' label.

"I didn't belong to anybody then or now. I had a wife and children whom I loved more than anything else in the world."

This quote reveals Dylan's prioritization of his family over his public image and the expectations placed upon him by his fame.

• Dylan grapples with the death of his father and the realization of their commonalities.
• He reflects on the generational and cultural differences that once seemed insurmountable.
• The return to his hometown and his father's funeral bring a profound sense of loss and understanding.

"But something else did too. That my father was the best man in the world and probably worth a hundred of me. But he didn't understand me."

The quote conveys Dylan's complex feelings towards his father, recognizing his father's value while also acknowledging the lack of understanding between them.

• Dylan discusses the intrusion of fame into his personal life and the longing for normalcy.
• His desire for a simple, private life contrasts sharply with his public persona.
• The struggle to maintain privacy and normalcy becomes a recurring theme in his life and work.

"After a while, you learn that privacy is something you can sell, but you can't buy it back."

This quote captures the irreversible trade-off between fame and privacy, highlighting Dylan's regret over the loss of the latter.

• Dylan faces the challenge of living up to past successes and the public's expectations.
• He compares his situation to Herman Melville's post-Moby Dick obscurity, accepting the potential for public forgetfulness.
• Despite the pressures, Dylan emphasizes the importance of staying true to oneself and one's craft.

"I owed nobody nothing. I wasn't going to go deeper into the darkness for anybody."

The quote underscores Dylan's assertion of artistic autonomy and his refusal to compromise his values for external demands.

• Dylan recounts the ironic experience of receiving an honorary degree and the misrepresentation of his persona.
• He feels misunderstood and frustrated by the labels imposed upon him.
• The ceremony at Princeton becomes a metaphor for the wider disconnect between his self-perception and public image.

"I was so mad, I wanted to bite myself."

This vivid expression of frustration illustrates Dylan's intense emotional response to being misrepresented and pigeonholed by others.

• Dylan contemplates the evolution of his career and the changes in his personal priorities.
• He expresses contentment with his life choices, despite the unpredictability of artistic success.
• The balance between professional achievement and personal fulfillment becomes a key theme in his reflections.

"In my real life, I got to do the things that I love the best, and that was all that mattered."

The quote encapsulates Dylan's ultimate realization that personal happiness and fulfillment are paramount, beyond professional accolades or societal expectations.

• Bob Dylan reflects on a time when he felt lost and considered quitting.
• He felt disconnected from his music and was uninspired.
• An 18-month tour with Tom Petty marked a low point in his creativity.
• Dylan experienced a sense of cultural oblivion and a loss of inspiration.
• He describes his songs as having become strangers to him.

"Always prolific, but never exact. Too many distractions had turned my musical path into a jungle of vines." The quote illustrates Dylan's feeling of being overwhelmed and losing direction in his music career due to various distractions.

"I had single handedly shot myself in the foot too many times." This quote signifies Dylan's acknowledgment of his own role in his professional setbacks.

"I had been on an 18 month tour with Tom Petty. It would be my last." Dylan indicates the end of a significant phase in his career, marked by a tour with Tom Petty.

"I am in the bottomless pit of cultural oblivion." Dylan expresses a profound sense of irrelevance and disconnection from the cultural landscape.

• Dylan nearly quits during a rehearsal with the Grateful Dead but has a transformative experience.
• A chance encounter with a jazz singer in a bar reignites his passion for music.
• The jazz singer's technique inspires Dylan to reconnect with his own musical roots.
• Dylan's experience with the Grateful Dead following this encounter is positive and rejuvenating.

"I started up the street. Maybe four or five or six blocks went by and then I heard the sounds of a jazz combo playing up ahead." Dylan's spontaneous decision to follow the music leads to a pivotal moment in his career.

"All of a sudden, I understood something faster than I ever did before." The jazz singer's performance provides Dylan with a sudden and profound insight into his own musical abilities.

"At first it was hard going, like drilling through a brick wall. All I did was taste the dust." Dylan describes the initial difficulty of trying to apply the jazz singer's technique to his own music.

"This was relegatory. I played these shows with the dead and never had to think twice about it." The quote highlights the transformative effect the jazz singer had on Dylan, allowing him to perform effortlessly.

• Dylan starts writing new music after a long period of dormancy.
• Bono from U2 visits Dylan and is impressed by his new compositions.
• Bono recommends a producer for Dylan's album "Oh Mercy."
• The recording process in New Orleans is both challenging and rewarding for Dylan.

"Dylan winds up, I think Bono comes over, I think they're having dinner at Dylan's house, if I remember correctly." This quote sets the scene for a significant meeting between Dylan and Bono that leads to a new phase in Dylan's music career.

"And Bono asks Dylan, like, do you have any new songs? Do you have any new music?" Bono's inquiry prompts Dylan to share his new creative work, demonstrating his return to songwriting.

"And so Dylan is going to work with the producer that Bono recommended on this album called oh Mercy." The collaboration with the producer Bono recommends marks a new chapter in Dylan's music production.

• Dylan finds solace and inspiration in nature.
• He describes a spontaneous trip with his wife, which helps clear his mind.
• The natural environment provides a backdrop for reflection and rejuvenation.

"It felt far enough away from the city. It felt good to be off by ourselves." The quote emphasizes the importance of distance from urban life and the value of solitude for Dylan.

"I like the night. Things grow at night. My imagination is available to me at night." Dylan explains how the nighttime and its quietness aid his creativity and imagination.

"Sometimes you could be looking for heaven in the wrong places. Sometimes it could be under your feet or in your bed." This quote suggests that contentment and inspiration can often be found in simple, everyday places.

• Dylan discusses the impact of other artists on his work, including Woody Guthrie and hip hop artists.
• He reflects on the cyclical nature of influence and how new artists emerge, carrying the torch of creativity.
• Dylan acknowledges that while his songwriting approach has changed, he can still perform his songs with passion.

"Somebody different was bound to come along sooner or later. Bob Dylan knows that, because at one time, that was him." This quote reflects on the inevitability of change in the music industry and Dylan's self-awareness of his role in that cycle.

"He also says that that just doesn't happen anymore. I just can't write them that way anymore. But he says I can still sing them." Dylan admits that his creative process has evolved over time, but he retains the ability to perform his music.

"With iced tea and public enemy who were laying the tracks. A new performer was bound to appear." Dylan recognizes the contributions of contemporary artists and the continual emergence of new talent.

• Dylan recounts his early days of discovering folk music and Woody Guthrie.
• He describes his immersion into Guthrie's work and its profound impact on his own musical identity.
• Dylan's commitment to his craft is unwavering, and he attributes his success to his dedication.

"I played morning, noon, and night. That is all I did. I usually fell asleep with my guitar in my hands." The quote illustrates Dylan's intense dedication to his music during his formative years.

"I went through it from cover to cover, like a hurricane, totally focused on every word, and the book sang out to me like the radio." Dylan's deep engagement with Guthrie's autobiography, "Bound for Glory," underscores its significance in shaping his artistic path.

"I said to myself I was going to be his greatest disciple." Dylan's ambition to follow in Guthrie's footsteps highlights his desire to honor and continue the legacy of his musical hero.