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Video: Talkin' Bob Dylan New York Birthday Blues

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Video: Talkin' Bob Dylan New York Birthday Blues

Ben Yakas

Published May 24, 2011

Modified May 24, 2011

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Itâs not dark yet, but itâs getting there: the artist formerly known as Robert Zimmerman turns 70 todayâthough his alter ego Bob Dylan might say he's actually younger than that now. You can find plenty of tributes to the occasion around town, as well as quite a few articles on the web, including several pieces in the most recent Rolling Stone and in the Independent. But there's one point in an excellent Guardian overview which stood out to us in particular: "Dylan has been omnipresent for the past 50 years, yet we know next to nothing about him. Fat books pour forth, especially in this anniversary year, yet he still eludes us, this rolling stone, this balladic thin man." Even today, we can still argue about whether Dylan was being sincere or not when he told a reporter in 1966 that he had been addicted to heroin. Yet, as mercurial as Dylan has always been, there is one thing we do know: for as long as Dylan has been writing songs, he has been writing to, for and about New York City. Click through for a tour of his New York life through video, songs, and story. — Gothamist

Ben Yakas

Published May 24, 2011

Modified May 24, 2011

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Ben Yakas was born and raised in New York, and has worked for Gothamist for over a decade, and WNYC for four years, covering literally everything. He has hung out with Dan Smith (who will teach you guitar), but still has yet to have a guitar lesson with him.

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