Seven Things You (Probably) Didn't Know About Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan is a name that resonates across generations, a cultural icon whose influence spans music, literature, and politics. You might know him as the voice behind Blowin’ in the Wind or the first songwriter to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, but there’s a lot more to Dylan than meets the eye—or the ear. Although he never really left the mainstream, following the release of A Complete Unknown this past December, Dylan is now back at the forefront. Here are seven fascinating facts about the prolific artist, who we deemed the greatest American musical artist of all time, that might surprise even the most dedicated fans.

1. He’s a Scrap Metal Sculptor

When Dylan isn’t writing songs or performing, he’s often in his workshop welding scrap metal into intricate sculptures. Yes, the man who wrote Like a Rolling Stone is also an accomplished metalworker. His massive iron gates and other pieces have been exhibited in galleries and even commissioned for high-profile locations. Dylan has said that working with his hands in this way is meditative and allows him to express a different side of his creativity.

2. He Once Wrote Commercial Jingles

Before he became the bard of a generation, Dylan tried his hand at writing jingles. In a 1961 letter to a friend, he mentioned pitching jingles to an advertising agency in Minneapolis. While none of his commercial work ever made it to air, it’s amusing to think of Dylan’s poetic mind crafting catchy slogans for toothpaste or soda. It's kind of fun to imagine him doing those Burger King commercials... right, or how about Kars4Kidz?

3. He Was Arrested for "Loitering" in 2009

In one of the stranger moments of Dylan’s life, he was arrested in Long Branch, New Jersey, in 2009 for "loitering." While walking through a residential neighborhood, Dylan was reportedly scouting locations tied to Bruce Springsteen's early career. When police stopped him, they didn’t recognize the then-68-year-old icon and were suspicious of his vague explanation. After taking him back to his hotel to verify his identity, the officers realized they’d detained one of the most famous musicians in history. Dylan later joked about the encounter, adding it to the long list of surreal episodes in his legendary career.

4. The Beatles Saw Him as a Musical Guru

Dylan’s influence on The Beatles is well-documented. When the Fab Four first met him in 1964, he famously introduced them to marijuana, sparking a creative shift in their music. John Lennon later cited Dylan as a key inspiration for moving toward more introspective and personal songwriting, paving the way for albums like Rubber Soul and Revolver.

5. He Went Through a Christian Evangelist Phase

Dylan’s 1979 album Slow Train Coming marked the beginning of his evangelical Christian phase. This period, which lasted into the early 1980s, saw him releasing gospel-inspired albums like Saved and Shot of Love. Dylan even toured with sermons and gospel music, much to the confusion of some fans. Though he eventually moved away from explicitly religious themes, this period remains one of the most polarizing chapters of his career. This would not be the first, or the last time Dylan confused fans.

6. He Secretly Recorded a 12-Album Series Under a Pseudonym

In the 1970s, Dylan created an alternate musical persona, Lucky Wilbury, for the Traveling Wilburys, his supergroup with George Harrison, Tom Petty, Roy Orbison, and Jeff Lynne. While this isn’t exactly a secret, lesser-known are the bootleg series of obscure tracks attributed to a mysterious "Lucky Wilbury" circulating among collectors. Some believe these recordings were experimental Dylan sessions, though their authenticity remains a topic of debate.

7. He Was Nearly Kicked Out of High School

Dylan’s rebellious streak started early. In his high school days in Hibbing, Minnesota, he was known for his love of rock ‘n’ roll, often sneaking off to play piano in local bands. His antics didn’t sit well with school administrators, and he was almost expelled for disrupting a talent show with his over-the-top performance of Little Richard’s Tutti Frutti. That early defiance hinted at the trailblazing artist he would become.

The Man Behind the Myth

Bob Dylan is a master of reinvention, a man whose life and career defy easy categorization. With critically acclaimed masterpieces like Blonde on Blonde—hailed by us at Melophobe as the greatest singer-songwriter album of all time—Highway 61 Revisited, and Blood on the Tracks, Dylan’s artistry has reshaped music and storytelling across generations. Whether he’s redefining genres by blurring the lines between folk and rock (and stirring the pot while he's at it), crafting timeless songs, or keeping listeners guessing about his next move, Dylan remains as enigmatic and fascinating as ever. These little-known facts give a glimpse into the layers of a legend who continues to surprise us—even after six decades in the spotlight.