On Saturday, the country world lost one of his members, the famous and memorable singer Waldemar Matuška.
He won recognition by his low and flannelly voice. Death cause was pneumonia and heart failure. He died on Florida, May 30, 2009, aged 76.
His success in 60-teen became with song Suvenir. As one czechoslovak agency wrote about him: "he has hoodlumy sex appeal, beard, evil-eyes and sparkle by energy, he was oposite of his show-business college Karel Gott". And Waldemar said: " I m type of vagabond, tramp and singers".
Maybe it is destiny, but this weekend I was on one country action. Some friends met, played guitar, sang. We played many songs of him. It was shock to came home on Sunday evening and got to hear that bad news.
Quit Quittin
Quit Quittin
Waldemar, Walda, will always of my heard. For ever.
Many his songs became popular and most of them I have on LP or single. I listen them as small child and maybe I was one of his youngest fans. I have still photo album with all news and photos of him. And also singles and albums. Maybe thanks him I prefer men with beard. :o)
I remember that day, when my mother brought news and said: “See there, Walda emigrated to US. Listen his LP Osm lásek, what there he said:” And I wasn’t able to understand why? He was popular, he had many possibilities to travel abroad. I was his fan so much. I switched on LP and listened what he said: Sometimes people ask me, if whether I would like to go visit US. Well I would go and in the moment again back. I prefer this my land.” I was so young, maybe I wasn’t able to understand all reasons. From that time I listened his songs many time but something was broken inside of me.
When he returned after Velvet Revolution, I saw other man. I know, nobody can be still young. He looked like broken and ill old man, without that sparks in his eyes, without charm smile. There was different person. It’s a pity, but I like to sing his songs henceforward and when I sing them, Matuska still looks like I remember him (before his leaving). I wish him so many happiness, much health and good luck.
1967 – Waldemar Matuška 1971 – Lidové písně z celého světa
1971 – Waldemar Matuška 1966 / (CD r.v.1990) 1971 – Jo ho ho - Waldemar Matuška zpívá písně o moři 1973 – Láska nebeská 1974 – Johoho (reedition) 1975 – Kluci do nepohody 1977 – Co děláš, to dělej rád 1980 – Suvenýr - Waldemar Matuška a jeho 12 nej... 1980 – Suvenýr 1982 – Waldemar 1985 – The Country Door Is Always Open 1990 – Waldemar Matuška (1966-1971) 1990 – Waldemar a Olga – Niagara 1991 – Co neodnesl čas 1996 – Waldemar - Lidové písně z celého světa + 10x Bonus 1996 – Nebeskej kovboj + 8x Bonus 1996 – Sbohem, lásko + 8x Bonus
1997 – Jo ho ho + 8x Bonus 1997 – Waldemar Matuška a Jeho 23 suvenýrů 1997 – Jsem svým pánem + 6x Bonus 1997 – Láska nebeská (reedition CD) 1998 – To všechno odnes čas 1999 – Osm lásek Waldemara Matušky + 7x Bonus 1999 – Síň slávy (cd 1) 1999 – Síň slávy (cd 2) 2000 – Kluci do nepohody (reedition) 2000 – Portrét hvězd – Waldemar Matuška 2000 – S čertem si hrát (with Eva Pilarová) 2000 – To nejlepší 2001 – Suvenýr (reedition) 2002 – Co neodnesl čas (Největší TV hity) 2007 – Slávik z Madridu (Největší hity)
Albums recorded in US: Teče voda, teče Niagara Merry Christmas
Filmography: 1960 – Sedmý kontinent 1963 – Der Andere neben dir 1964 – Limonádový Joe aneb Konská opera
1964 – Kdyby tisíc klarinetů
1966 – Dýmky 1966 – Fantom Morrisvillu 1966 – Revue v mlze 1966 – Smrt zo oponou 1967 – Tajemství Viléma Storitze 1967 – Hotel pro cizince 1967 – Ta naše písnička česká 1967 – 1968 – Píseň pro Rudlofa III 1968 – Všichni dobrí rodáci 1971 – Kam slunce nechodí 1973 – Noc na Karlštejne
In Czechoslovakia, there was very popular competition named Zlatý slavík (Golden Warbler). Waldemar won it twice, in 1962 and 1987, and few times he was on second position.
His popularity grew up.
As he said one time, he had never acted, but life brought him these experiences and he created unforgettable characters in various movies (Patrik in Kdyby tisíc klarinetů – 1964, Kojot Kid in Limonádový Joe – 1964, Cyprian ambassador in Noc na Karlštejne – 1973) and in serials (Píseň pro Rudolfa III, etc.).
He left with Eva Pilarová Semafor and started in theatre Rokoko and here he was actor of dramas named Labyrint světa, Drak je drak, Filosofova historie and recitals Rokokokoktejl and Osm lásek Waldemara Matušky. Eva Pilarová very early returned to Semafor, but Waldemar got new partners. He sang with Marta Kubišová, Helena Vondráčková, Karel Gott, Jitka Zelenková, Hana Hegerová, Václav Neckář, etc.). From this period are hit such as To se nikdo nedoví, Tisíc mil, Úžasná láska and Jen se s písničkou smát (all with Helena Vondráčková), Červencové ráno, Nech tu lásku spát, Píseň za paddle,Víc nechtěl by snad ani D’Artagnan and Píseň Ofélie (all with Marta Kubišová), Tak aby ste to vědela (with Hana Hegerová), Mám malý stan (with Karel Štedrý), Co z toho mám(with Karel Gott).
1970’s came and Waldemar brought hit by hit. It was for example Jó třešně zrály, Růže z Texasu, Sedm dostavníků, Mrholí, Kladivo, Divoké koně, Píseň pro Kristínku, Buď pořád se mnou, Slávici z Madridu, Sbohem lásko, Už koníček pádí, Pojď se mnou lásko má, Tuhle rundu platím já.
In the beginning of 70’s he sang folksongs and he release album Waldemar Matuška zpívá lidové písně z celého světa, from folksong from various countries of the world. In this time also was recorded album with marine evergreens Johoho (most popular songs were Má láska je za velkou louží, Námořníckej bál, Santiano, Hříšník a fláma, Čas chvátá, Kvetou lípy).
In Rokoko he had met his love Olga Blechova, who sang with him hits such as Míle, Vítr to ví, Žít jen žít. In 1976 he married Olga. They sang together from that time to today.
From period in turning point 60 and 70-teen, Waldemar had hits Krysař, Ráno, Bůh ví odkud já tuhle písničku znám, Až se můj čas ponachýlí, Asi do věží, etc.
He presented himself on different festivals and competitions, such as Bratislavská Lýra (He was on the first position with song Pláňka and few years on third position with songs To se nikdo nedoví, Don diri don, Už modrej činžák zhas), Dečínska kotva, Zlatý klíč.
In 1976 he with Olga came to music band K.T.O. (Kamarádi Táborových Ohňů – Friends of Campfires). From this period came many famous songs, for example Co děláš to dělej ríd, Kluci do nepohody, Jezebel Jen se hádej, Má co chtěla, Léta pádí, Tam nad tou hrází, Září bílej sníh, etc.
His popularity in Czechoslovakia was so high; it gave him chance to have concerts abroad (UK, India, Iraq, Kuvajt, Cuba, US, Canada). He took this chance and in 1986 he left Czechoslovakia and emigrated to US. He stayed in Saint Petersburg, Florida and there he lives up to this day.
Communist prohibited to play his songs and stopped to release his album Jsem svým pánem.
He received US nationality. He showed for fellow-countrymen in US and recorded other albums.
After Velvet Revolution in 1898 he came back and had more concerts. His songs are still popular.
He is still living in Florida and at times he visit Czech Republic. Matuška songs were so popular and evidence thereof is establish of Waldemar Matuška Revival Band.
What all in the field of music we could lose if he would stay in glasshouse? And what so nice glass products we lost, when he decided to go on singer’s road? I hope you agree with me, the second decision was that right. His unforgettable songs Jo třešně zrály, Tereza or Růže z Texasu are known in all generations of country fans in our countries (Slovakia, Czech).
Maybe you would be surprised that two states have some authority to consider him an own. He was born on June 2, 1932 in Košice. All youth he lived with three brothers in center of Prague. He inherited his talent of his mother, who was operetta singer in Vienna theatre scene. Despite this fact, he wasn’t accepted in school band and he hadn’t good rating of singing at school. This fact didn’t stop him to show with various bands and he had be able to play on many music instruments (for example guitar, violin, banjo, harmonica, etc.)
He finished studies and worked as glassmaker only short time, but during that time he had shows with different bands.
The first success was with band Matrosov. In 1950 he tried happiness in State band of songs and dances, from that he went to Reduta and there he established band Mambo Kvintet.
In 1960 he was first time in recording studio and he recorded his first song Suvenýr (Souvenir).
He came to theatre Semafor (Divadla SEdmi MAlých FORem - Theatres of Seven Short Forms), where very early he became star. His colleges were besides Jiří Grossmann, Miloslav Šimek, Jiří Suchý, Jiří Šlitr, Karel Štedrý, Miluška Voborníková, Eva Pilarová, etc.
The first dramas were Člověk z půdy, Zuzana je zase sama doma, Taková ztráta krve. With these dramas there also became hits as Árie měsíce, Klokočí, To všechno vodnes čas and Píseň pro Zuzanu. He sang alone and also duets. Popular duets were with Karel Štedrý (Takový je život, Opilá bílá myška), with Jiří Suchý (Píseň o koni, Kočka na okně).
In 1961 there Eva Pilarová came and she created famous duo with him. Their song Ach ta láska nebeská was Song of the Year 1962. Other famous duets with Eva were Tam za vodou v rákosí, Pozvání, S čertem si hrát, Dnes v noci etc.
This popularity open him the doors to radio and television. I can tell you programs Revue pro banjo, Pijácka romance, Kam slunce nechodí.
Millennium he celebrated by work, his song Things Have Changed won Golden Globe Award for the Best Original Song and Academy Award for Best Song. Dylan's greatest recent album was Love and Theft, which was realized on September 2001. This album was produced by Bob Dylan, but under pseudonym Jack Frost. Next years he released songs, and after five years he brought new studio album. During this period he recorded some songs and realized some different projects (He was grateful to Johnny Cash, who helped him and how Dylan said, „for standing up for me way back.“ He recorded song for Johnny Cash TV tribute. Releases movie – Masked & Anonymous – by Larry Charles). The movie had a limited run in Theatres and got many good critics.
On June 23, 2004, Dylan was awarded an honorary degree (Doctor of Music) by University of St.Andrew. On October of the same year, Dylan published his autobiography – Chronicles: Volume One, where he wrote also about the process, which ignited him to start to write own songs. The book was nominated for a National Book Award.
Martin Scorsese made film about Dylan's biography – No Direction Home. The movie presented Dylan during years 1961 (Dylan came to New York) and 1966 (Dylan had motorcycle accident). The film received Peabody Award and Columbia duPont Award.
In 2005 Bob returned to recording studio to record Tell Ol' Bill and in the next year album Modern Times, which was nominated for three Grammy Awards. In his 65 years old, Bob became the oldest living musician to top the Billboard albums chart.
On May 3, 2006 there was premiere of Dylan's DJ career, hosting in weekly radio program for XM Satellite Radio. BBC Radio 2 started transmission of Dylan's radio to UK on December same year and BBC 6 Music on January next year.
On August 2007 the movie I'm Not There by Todd Haynes won Award. This movie was inspired by Dylan's life, original soundtrack and the other tracks were Dylan's songs, especially recorded for the movie by various interprets. Later Haynes wrote about person Dylan: The minute you try to grab hold of Dylan, he's no longer where he was. He's like a flame: If you try to hold him in your hand you'll surely get burned. Dylan's life of change and constant disappearances and constant transformations makes you yearn to hold him, and to nail him down. And that's why his fan base is so obsessive, so desirous of finding the truth and the absolutes and the answers to him - things that Dylan will never provide and will only frustrate.... Dylan is difficult and mysterious and evasive and frustrating, and it only makes you identify with him all the more as he skirts identity.
On October 2007 Columbia Records (recording studio) released Dylan's anthology, and there was also released DVD The Other Side of the Mirror: Bob Dylan Live at the Newport Folk Festival 1963-1965. In the same month, there was opened the first public exhibition of Bob Dylan paintings in Germany, with 170 watercolors and gouaches.
In the end of last year Dylan recorded new version of A Hard Rain's A- Gonna Fall, double CD (Theme Time Radio Hour With Your Host Bob Dylan). And what about his plans: Dylan is working on the next volume of his autobiography Chronicles: Volume One. He plans tour through Texas, Mexico, South America, Canada, Iceland, Russia and Europe.
Bob Dylan's private life.
He married Sara Lownds on November 22, 1965. They had four children (Jesse Byron, Anna Lea, Samuel Isaac Abraham, Jacob Luke) and Dylan adopted Maria Lownds, daughter of his wife Sara Lownds' first marriage.
On June 1986 Dylan married Carolyn Dennis and they had daughter Desiree Gabrielle Dennis.
Discography: 1962 – Bob Dylan 1963 – The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan 1964 – The Times They Are a-Changin 1964 – Another Side of Bob Dylan 1965 – Bringing It All Back Home 1965 – Highway 61 Revisited 1966 – Blonde on Blonde 1967 – John Wesley Harding 1969 – Nashville Skyline 1970 – Self Portrait 1970 – New Morning 1973 – Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid 1973 – Dylan 1974 – Planet Waves 1975 – Blood on the Tracks 1975 – The Basement Tapes 1975 – Desire 1978 – Street-Legal 1979 – Slow Train Coming 1980 – Saved 1981 – Shot of Love 1983 – Infidels 1985 – Empire Burlesque 1986 – Knocked Out Loaded 1988 – Down in the Groove 1989 – Oh Mercy 1990 – Under the Red Sky 1992 – Good as I Been to You 1993 – World Gone Wrong 1997 – Time Out of Mind 2001 – "Love and Theft" 2006 – Modern Times
Compilations: 1967 – Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits 1971 – Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits Vol. II 1971 – masterpieces 1985 – Biograph 1991 – The Bootleg Series, Vols. 1-3: Rare And Unreleased, 1961-1991 1994 – Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits Volume 3 1997 – The Best of Bob Dylan Vol. 1 1997 – The Best of Bob Dylan Vol. 2 2000 – The Essential Bob Dylan 2005 – The Bootleg Series Vol. 7: No Direction Home: The Soundtrack 2005 – The Best of Bob Dylan 2007 – Dylan
Live Albums: 1974 – Before the Flood 1976 –Hard Rain 1979 – Bob Dylan at Budokan 1984 – Real Live 1989 – Dylan & The Dead 1993 – The 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration 1995 – MTV Unplugged 1998 – The Bootleg Series Vol. 4: Bob Dylan Live 1966, The "Royal Albert Hall"
Concert 2001 – Live 1961-2000: Thirty-Nine Years of Great Concert Performances 2002 – The Bootleg Series Vol. 5: Bob Dylan Live 1975, The Rolling Thunder Revue 2004 – The Bootleg Series Vol. 6: Bob Dylan Live 1964, Concert at Philharmonic Hall 2005 – Live at the Gaslight 1962 2005 – Live at Carnegie Hall 1963
Singles 1962 – Mixed Up Confusion 1964 – Blowin' in the Wind 1965 – The Times They Are a-Changin 1965 – Maggie's Farm 1965 – Subterranean Homesick Blues 1965 – Like a Rolling Stone 1965 – Positively 4th Stret 1965 – Can you Please Crawl Out Your Window? 1966 – One of Us Must Know 1966 – Rainy Day Women #12 & 35 1966 – I Want You 1966 – Just Like a Woman 1967 – Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat 1969 – I Trew It All Away 1969 – Lay Lady Lay 1969 – Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You 1970 – Wigwam 1971 – Watching the River Flow 1971 – If Not for You 1971 – George Jackson 1973 – Knockin' on Heaven's Door 1973 – A Fool Such as I 1974 – On a Night Like This 1974 – Something There Is About You 1974 – Most Likely You Go Your Way 1974 – All Along the Watchtower 1975 – Tangled Up in Blue 1975 – Hurricane 1976 – Mozambique 1977 – Rita Mae 1978 – Is Your Love in Vain? 1978 – Baby Stop Crying 1978 – Changing of the Guards 1979 – Gotta Serve Somebody 1979 – Precious Angel 1980 – Man Gave names to All The Animals 1980 – Solid Rock 1980 – Saved 1981 – Shot of Love 1981 – Heart of Mine 1983 – Union Sundown 1984 – Jokerman 1984 – Sweetheart Like You 1985 – Tight Connection to My Heart 1985 – When The Night Comes Falling from the Sky 1986 – Band of The Hand 1986 – Got My Mind Made Up 1988 – Silvio 1989 – Everything Is Broken 1989 – Slow Train 1990 – Unbelievable 1993 – My Back Pages 1995 – Dignity 1998 – Love Sick 2000 – Things Have Changed 2006 – Someday Baby 2007 – Most Likely You'll Go Your Way
Movies: Main roles: 1967 – Don't Look Back 1969 – Eat the Document 1978 – Renaldo and Clara 2003 – Masked & Anonymous 2005 – No Direction Home
Actor: 1973 – Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid 1987 – Hearts Of Fire 1990 – Backtrack aka „Catchfire“ 1999 – Paradise Cove 2003 – Masked and Anonymous
Concerts: 1967 – Festival 1972 – The Concert For Bangladesh 1978 – The Last Waltz 1986 – Hard To Handle 1993 – The 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration 1995 – MTV Unplugged
Books: 1971 – Tarantule 1972 – Writings And Drawings 1985 – Lyrics: 1962 1994 – Drawn Blank 2004 – Chronicles: Vol. One 2004 – Lyrics: 1962 – 2001 2005 – The Bob Dylan Scrapbook, 1956-1966
Biography: 2007 – I'm Not There by Todd Haynes
Appearances 1967 – Festival 1971 – The Concert for Bangladesh 1972 – Rock of Ages 1978 – The Last Waltz 2002 – Postcards of the Hanging 2003 – Gotta Serve Somebody: The Gospel Songs of Bob Dylan 2005 – A Musical History 2006 – Gotta Serve Somebody: The Gospel Songs of Bob Dylan DVD
In 1970 Dylan released two alums. In the same year he had co-written with George Harrison opening track of The Beatles' album All Things Must Pass - I'd Have You Anytime. He cooperated with George also in Harrison's Concert for Bangladesh. In this year, Dylan had poor studio activities, he recorded only two songs, but next year he recovered it and recorded the second compilation Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits Vol. II, singles George Jackson, Watching The River Flow, new recording When I Paint My Masterpiece.
In 1972 we could see him in movie Pat Garret and Billy the Kid, where he had role as Alias, member of Billy's gang. He also wrote the song from this movie (Knockin' on Heaven's Door), which to these days has about 150 artists in their repertoires.
Year 1973 he started by recording album on Atlantic Records (recording studio). In this year his contract with Columbia Records expired and he signed contract with David Geffen's Asylum Records (recording studio).
He recorded album Planet Waves with The Band. This album has two versions of the song Forever Young.
New year and new tour with The Band. Now it was through North America. From this tour there was live double album Before The Flood. This album was released on Asylum Records and in the mind of 70's also by Columbia Records.
After this tour, he had problems in his private life (he and his wife became estranged). He wrote a lot of songs about his problems in his marriage and recorded new album Blood on the Tracks. In the end of the year, he re-recorded some songs in Sound 80 Studio by production assistance of his brother David Zimmerman.
In 1975 he visited boxer Rubin Hurricane Carter in the prison and after that he wrote the successful protest song Hurricane. He believed such as Rubin, the boxer is innocent. New tour again and new album Desire, with many of Bob Dylan's new songs. TV documented part of this tour. Same year brought the film Renaldo and Clara. When I wanted to write about Bob Dylan, I try to find more info what I had. I haven't idea, that he has such rich discography. I found, that he brought each year some albums, singles, songs or movies. He didn't write only for himself, but also for other interprets (for example Eric Clapton). It means much, much hard work. Lyric album Street Legal came in 1978.
In the beginning of the year 1979, he participated in Bible study class. He wanted to find Christ in his life. In that time Dylan released two albums with gospel music. One of them named Slow Train Coming and one song from that album (Gotta Serve Somebody) got Grammy Award as Best Male Vocalist. The second album named Saved. Christianity character of the albums didn't accept so well by some of his fans. Musical retrospective Shot of Love was released in the springtime of 1981 but met only negative appreciation by critic.
During his life, he engaged in many public appearances, which were organized helping to some groups of people in the world (for example Live Aid concert in 1985). He went through more music styles, such as country, rock and roll and also rap. In 1988, Bob Dylan went into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Bob Dylan is author, songwriter, singer, musician and poet in the same person.
New decade and new Awards. In 1991 he went into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame and he celebrated it by tour with Santana.
Next year he became to country style and recorded two albums with old folk and blues songs (Good as I Been to You – 1992, World Gone Wrong - 1993) 25 years after famous Woodstock Festival, he brought Woodstock 94.
As 80's, also 90's were rich on albums (Good as I Been to You – 1992, World Gone Wrong – 1993, Time Out of Mind), songs and other activities around the music. He collaborated with many interprets (Mike Seeger, Daniel Lanois, Michael Bolton, Ralph Stanley, Paul Simon, etc.).
In 1997 president of US Bill Clinton presented Bob Dylan in the East Room of the White House.
In 1998 he made duet with bluegrass legend Ralph Stanley on song The Lonesome River and in the middle of next year he traveled on tour with Paul Simon. He recorded album Self Portrait and finished these 90's by movie Paradise Cove by Robert Clapsaddle (role of Alfred the Chaffeur).
Forever Young
Lay Lady Lay
Don't Think Twice, It's Alright - Bob Dylan & Eric Clapton
In 1961 he leaved this town and went to New York and visited the musical icon Woody Guthrie, who was in hospital in New Jersey. The days of life of Woody were going to finish. Woody was great inspiration for Bob. Such as later Dylan said "You could listen to his songs and actually learn how to live." In hospital Dylan met Ramblin’ Jack Elliott and they became friends.
During year, Bob played at various clubs; in July he presented himself in radio, in program "Saturday of Folk Music". He got public recognition when The New York Times published positive review by critic Robert Shelton. In September, he was invited by folk singer Carolyn Hester to play on harmonica on her album. This helped Dylan to sing contract with Columbia Records (John Hammond from that recording company listened him during recording Hester's album).
In 1962 Dylan recorded album Bob Dylan. There were folk, blues, gospel and also own songs. Maybe that does why he was unknown interpret; the album had little impact (only 5000 copies were sold). Columbia wanted to finish the contract, but Hammond and Johnny Cash ranged oneself with Bob. The contract continued and Bob recorded many songs. Someone of them was recorded under pseudonym Blind Boy Grunt.
In 1962 he changed his name to Robert Dylan and signed contract with Albert Grossman, who was his manager to 1970.
The second album was recorded in 1963, its name was The Freewheeling' Bob Dylan. Bob presented himself as singer and songwriter. Many songs from this album were protest songs, the most famous was Blowin'in the Wind. Apropos, this album inspired also The Beatles. Other famous songs from that album were A Hard Rain's a-Gonna Fall and Lord Randall. Dylan had been introduced as singer with accompanied acoustic guitar.
Bob didn't train his voice and his voice had unusual sound, it was that why he was different from other singers.
He met Joan Baez, who became his lover and advocate. She helped him with career. Some other interprets (The Turtles, The Byrds, The Hollies, etc.) singed and recorded his songs, but nobody coudn't sing his songs like himself.
In 1963 he engaged in civil rights movement, he sing at rallies, he presented on BBC television. In the same year he had conflict with media: He recorded new album, The Times They Are a-Changin' (famous songs were Ballad of Hollis Brown, North Country Blues, Boots of Spanish Leather, One Too Many Mornings, Brechtian, The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carrol, etc.).
Next album (Another Side of Bob Dylan) was already next year. In this album you can feel rock and roll came to dominate in his music. He moved from folk scene to rock and roll. Also he changed his look and wardrobe.
Year 1965 was very rich on his activities: He started to use electric guitar. He recorded album Bringing It All Back Home, single Subterranean Homesick Blues, music video Don’t Look Back. He went to tour in England, recorded album B side, with maybe one of the most known song Mr. Tambourine Man, he had controversial presentation in Newport, other single (Like a Rolling Stone – got No 2 in US and No 4 in UK charts).
This song Like a Rolling Stone became number one on Rolling Stone magazine of its list of the 500 greatest songs of all time.
In 1966 Dylan agreed to record in Nashville (also Nashville is name of the city. Who doesn't know, Nashville is like Mecca of country music). Here had met great sessions, which produced the album Blonde on Blonde.
Many critics say three albums from 60's (Bringing It All Back Home, Highway 61 Revisited and Blonde on Blonde) were great cultural achievements of that century.
Year 1965 was successful not only in Dylan's professional life, but also in private. He married Sara Lownds.
Next year he traveled on world tour in Europe and Australia, when every his shows consisted of two parts – in the first he singed and played on acoustic guitar and harmonica, in the second backed by band The Hawks he singed and played high voltage electric music. In this year, his first child Jesse Byron Dylan was born.
After tour he returned to US, especially to New York. The pressures on him increased, his manager had to prepared schedule of new concert tour, his publisher waited for his manuscript of novel. This period was hard for him, accordingly he had motorcycle crash and he broke several vertebrae in his neck. This accident showed him, what is important in his life and got change to leave that pressures for 18 months.
During this time he resumed his work, he started to edit his film from his tour in 1966, recorded with The Hawks many of his old and new songs. Many of these songs were compiled in five CD The Genuine Basement Tapes.
The Hawks renamed to The Band and recorded independent album Music from Big Pink and started their own successful career.
In October 1967 Bob Dylan returned to Nashville and recorded his first album after motorcycle accident. The name was John Wesley Harding.
Twenty month after Woody Guthrie death (on October 3, 1967), Bob made live concert at Guthrie memory.
The album Nashville Skyline brought duet with Johnny Cash and the hit single Lay Lady Lay.
He inspired by his unique music, where he is interpret, author, guitar player, player on electronic mouth harmonica and strange looks in same time. A lot of interprets was inspired by him. Thanks to him, phenomenal guitar player Jim Hendrix decided to start sing. He inspired Mick Jagger,Madonna and Michael Jackson, in folk style for example Joan Baez, band Frames.
Somebody say, Bob Dylan has croaking voice, which nourish soft poetry. When he sing, sometimes he doesn’t finished some phrases and started with another and he does it again and again. He switches between sing, harmonica and other instruments. Same as Chuck Berry, Bob swing rock’n roll authors, interprets and bands (Beatles, Jim Hendrix, Rolling Stones, Donovan, etc.).
He was born on May 24, 1941, in Duluth, Minnesota US. It isn’t interesting that his grand parents came from Europe. Many grand parents of people, who are inhabitants of US, came from this continent. Why is it so? After 1492, when Christopher Columbus had found America, there came people to create a new life. (Try to see History of country). His father’s grandfather came from Russian Empire after anti-Semitic pogroms) and grandmother came from Turkey. Both immigrated to US in 1905. His mother’s grand parents (they were also Jews) came from Lithuania to US in 1902.
His origin name is Robert Allen Zimmerman. (My uncle is Zimmerman too, but I don’t think that Bob Dylan is my family. It’s only small interest.)
He spent his childhood in Duluth and Hibbing. During his youth, he listened much time the radio, blues and country stations, later rock and roll. During the study in high school, he formed the music band named The Shadow Blasters. The band has short life, but his next band named The Golden Chords played popular songs.
Bob registered at University in Minnesota in 1959. His words about his beginning in folk music: "The first thing that turned me onto folk singing was Odetta. I heard a record of hers in a record store. Right then and there, I went out and traded my electric guitar and amplifier for an acoustical guitar, a flattop Gibson. The thing about rock'n roll is that for me anyway it wasn't enough... There were great catch phrases and driving pulse rhythms...but the songs weren't serious or didn't reflect life in a realistic way. I knew, that when I got into folk music, it was more of a serious type of thing. The songs are filled with more despair, more sadness, more triumph, more faith in the supernatural, much deeper feelings."
He started to interested in Dinky town folk music. With local folk enthusiasts. During this day he introduced himself as Bob Dylan. Why this name? The name Dylan came from name of Dylan Thomas, who was poet. Every time I thought, Bob is derivate from the name Robert, but it isn't true. Bob is from popular music in that time, there were Bobbies.
He finished his college in the end of freshman year and started to work in Minneapolis.
Maybe he isn't so known, but everybody in this area known his songs.
He was born in Jule 20, 1941 in Prague. His colleges said everytime he was very civil-spoken and sensible person, not able to vulgar communication or curses. Already as small child he started to learn to play on instruments, especially on piano. In the school he played on guitar. It's interesting he had able to play almost on any musical instrument. During study period, he conducted school orchestra and ahead of school-leaving exam he presented himself in some amateurish group. He played there on trombone and contrabass. During study on University (Architectural Faculty - 1958-62) he was song writer and composer, record as actor and singer in Karkulce (Karlín kultural cabaret), later in clubs Olympic and Sluníčko. From 1962 he was engaged in Plzeň, later in Army Art Group. Here he met his future's college Miloslav Šimek and they created never to be forgotten autor and actor duet. Suchý a Šlitr engage them in SEMAFOR. Success brought their presentation humor scripts. All program consistent of scripts and songs of Naďa Urbánková, Věra Křesadlová, Miluše Voborníková, Pavel Bobek, Jiří Helekal, Jozef Laufer etc. He sang many classic songs, for example Gimmi Det Ding (Gimmi Det Ding), Pupákova píseň lásky (Pupak's love song) with Miluše Voborníková, Drahý můj (Dear John) with Naďa Urbánková, José (Jose), Vzdálené bubny (The Distant Drums), Jako kotě si příst(Too Many Chiefs Not Enough Indians), Blizard (Blizzard), Své banjo odhazuji v dál (I Throw My Banjo Away), Oh, Ruby, nechtěj mi lásku brát (Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town), Skála (We Shall Not Be Moved), Svatební průvod (Does Your Chewing Gum Lose It's Flavor (On The Bedpost Over Night)), Má dívka N (Ann), Houston (Houston), Čekej tiše (He'll Have To Go), Ano, pane Jiří (Yes, Mr. Peters), Vzdálené bubny (The Distant Drums), Závidím (I Yellow; Il ragazzo della Via Gluck) etc. His life was unfortunately very soon finished malign decease (Hodgkin's lymphoma) in December 5, 1971 (exactly 2 years later as Jiří Šlitr). On funeral many people came to say Good Bye to him. Singer Naďa Urbánková sang his song Závidím (Grossmann mummy ask her for it). This song was written by Jiří Grossmann when he had already known his end is coming. The part of this song is in his gravestone: „Vždyť já chci jen žít, jak žít se má ...“ (Well, I only want to live, live as to be}.
Today, there is remind of his memory one Prague theatre on Václav square and one Prague passage. This name was got by Miloslav Šimek, who continue with Luďek Sobota and later with Jiří Krampol, unfortunately without Grossmann nobleness.
His deathlessnes insure mainly by his great short story and shows with Miloslav Šimek. These stories came folk and sometime we forget that he was famous song writer. He played in some films (Crime in a Music Hall, Visiting Day of Miloslav Simek and Jiri Grossmann, Visiting Day No.2-6).
Many his songs became popular and most of them I have on LP or single. I listen them as small child and maybe I was one of his youngest fans. I have still photo album with all news and photos of him. And also singles and albums. Maybe thanks him I prefer men with beard. :o) 
1967 – Osm lásek Waldemara Matušky
1971 – Lidové písně z celého světa
1996 – Sbohem, lásko + 8x Bonus
1964 – Limonádový Joe aneb Konská opera
1964 – Kdyby tisíc klarinetů
1973 – Noc na Karlštejne
1980 – Trhák 
In Czechoslovakia, there was very popular competition named Zlatý slavík (Golden Warbler). Waldemar won it twice, in 1962 and 1987, and few times he was on second position. 
What all in the field of music we could lose if he would stay in glasshouse? And what so nice glass products we lost, when he decided to go on singer’s road? I hope you agree with me, the second decision was that right. His unforgettable songs 
Millennium he celebrated by work, his song 
In 1970 Dylan released two alums. In the same year he had co-written with 
In 1961 he leaved this town and went to New York and visited the musical icon 
He inspired by his unique music, where he is interpret, author, guitar player, player on electronic mouth harmonica and strange looks in same time. A lot of interprets was inspired by him. Thanks to him, phenomenal guitar player 
Maybe he isn't so known, but everybody in this area known his songs.