This Week on Locals Only: Honoring Duluth/Hibbing Native Bob Dylan with “Duluth Does Dylan”

Robert Allen Zimmerman, better known as Bob Dylan, turns 72 years old today.  He was born in Duluth, MN on May 24th, 1941.  His time in the Zenith City was brief, but his family didn't move too far when they settled north on the Iron Range in Hibbing when Bob was 6 years old. 

Duluth celebrates Bob each year by holding "Dylan Fest" while Hibbing honors him with "Dylan Days."  Both like to claim him as their own, and for good reason.  Without either city playing a part in his upbringing, the world today wouldn't know and appreciate the same Bob Dylan if he had grown up anywhere else.  Even if he doesn't necessarily show the love for his roots as much as his fans in Northern Minnesota show theirs.

In 2000, local musicians covered a few of Bob's tracks for the album, Duluth Does Dylan, produced by Tim Nelson and Tom Fabjance, and features cover and liner art by Chris Monroe.  Nelson encouraged the musicians to use their own style rather than trying "to sound like Dylan."  The album was well received, and it was followed by Duluth Does Dylan Revisited in 2006 and Another Side of Duluth Does Dylan in 2011.

Sunday morning at 9am on Locals Only, we'll celebrate his 72nd birthday with Duluth Does Dylan.