Mazel tov to Bob Dylan on winning the Nobel Prize in Literature.
Unlike the film or comic book industries, pop music has never been particularly Jewish. There have been Jewish managers and behind-the-scenes men like Brian Epstein or Leonard and Marshall Chess, but, on the whole, pop music since the dawn of the rock-and-roll era (roughly 1955 or so) has not exactly been inundated by Jewish talent. There are exceptions, of course, but how much did the Jewishness of, say, Lou Reed or the Clash's Mick Jones really influence their work or, for that matter, their public personas?
Bob grew up in a kosher home and even attended the religious-Zionist summer camp, Camp Herzl.
If you're looking for a particularly Jewish pop musician, however, you needn't actually look much further than arguably the single most influential figure in the history of rock and roll: the one, the only, Bob Dylan. Dylan being Dylan, though, his Jewishness may be present and accounted for, but has also been as complex and as contradictory as everything else about the man.
Bringing It All Back Home
Born Robert Allen Zimmerman (or to give him his Hebrew name: Shabtai Zisl ben Avraham) to, by all accounts, a fairly observant Jewish family, Dylan had a decidedly Jewish upbringing as part of the tight-knit, small Jewish communities of Duluth and Hibbing, Minnesota, growing up in a kosher home and even attending the religious-Zionist summer camp, Camp Herzl.
At least, I think that's the case. It's always been very hard to tell the difference between reality and mythology when it comes to the ever-mercurial Bob Dylan.
Once he decided to follow in the footsteps of his folk-music heroes Woody Guthrie and Leadbelly and left both his home town and his real name behind. Dylan became increasingly cagey about his personal life and even more so about his origins. Indeed, “cagey” is rather underselling the tall tales and outright lies that Dylan concocted both in his early days as a homeless folk singer, paying his dues in New York's legendary Greenwich Village, and, most especially a few years later, when he was heralded as The Voice of a Generation in the mid-1960s.
Presumably a mixture of self-mythologizing, genuine humility (yes, only Dylan could get away with both), and an apparent love for messing with both the press and his most ardent followers, Dylan went out of his way to make sure that people knew as little about the real Bobby Zimmerman as possible. Over the years, though, the man behind the legend has emerged somewhat and it has become increasingly clear that, not only did he have this very Jewish upbringing, but he never moved quite as far away from his roots as it may appear at first.
While it's true that Dylan's lyrics, especially in his '60s heyday, are often even more (beautifully) oblique than his persona, they sometimes tap into his rich Jewish tradition far more than anything he said in those endless press conferences and interviews. In fact, at the very dawn of his career, while still making routine appearances in the Village, he even played a short snippet of the famous Jewish ditty, Hava Nagila , which has been forever immortalised on the inaugural volume of his Bootleg Series as “Talkin' Hava Nageilah Blues” but introduced on the night as “a foreign song I learned out of Utah”. One wonders what the Mormons thought of that.
Biblical references constantly popped up in his work.
In terms of real songs that he actually wrote, though, Biblical references constantly popped up in his work, but none more so than in three notable tracks from his first and best decade as a working songwriter/performer. The first, the title-track of arguably his best album, Highway 61 Revisited, opens up with a less-than-accurate retelling of the Binding of Isaac. Much more reverently, a section of the Tanach appears again a couple of years later in one of his all-time masterpieces, All Along the Watchtower (obviously best known by Jimi Hendrix's incendiary cover). The song seems to be largely based on a passage from Isaiah 21:1-10 that tells of the fall of Babylon, but whose striking imagery is refashioned by Dylan into something far more obscure and dreamlike – if no less poetic.
Most Jewish of all though is yet another untouchable classic, Forever Young, that adds Jewish prayer to some very on-point Biblical imagery. The song is, by all appearances, an adaptation of the blessing that Jewish parents traditionally give to their children on Friday nights and festivals that was written by Bob for his young son, Jacob (later a musician in his own right and one of five children that Dylan had with his Jewish first wife, Sara). It even opens with a line straight from the Priestly Blessing: “May God bless and keep you always”, and includes an explicit reference to the story of Jacob's dream (“May you build a ladder to the stars and climb on every rung”) which is clearly a reference both to Dylan's son and the originator of this Jewish tradition of blessing one's children, our Patriarch Jacob, himself.
You Gotta Serve Somebody
Of course, all these Jewish references are all well and good but as anyone familiar with Dylan would tell you, there is that whole business with Dylan's brief interest in evangelical Christianity in the late 1970s which, ironically, produced some of his most uninspired music. Even more oddly, it was this turn that would ultimately result in Dylan's Judaism being more explicit than ever.
The 1980s saw Dylan becoming increasingly close to the Chabad-Lubavitch movement and the release of by far his most Jewish song ever: Neighborhood Bully. It doesn't exactly rank among his best work, but its lyrics are an impassioned response to critics of both Israel and the Jewish people. The entire song is a thinly veiled commentary on the tendency for some to lay all the world's ills at the foot of this tiny nation and their tiny nation-state (the bully of the title – I assume I don't need to spell out what the “Neighborhood” is), and a proud summation of the Jewish nation's ability to survive everything the world has thrown at us for the last four millennia.
As for his ties to Chabad, they have remained strong throughout the past few decades, despite Dylan's insistence that he has no time for organised religion. He has been spotted at a number of Yom Kippur services in Chabad shuls, has laid tefillin at the Kotel, and has taken part in a number of Chabad telethons.
Since the early '80s and his public embracing of his Jewish roots, more and more stories have also come out about both Dylan's Jewish ties and his restless, lifelong search for spirituality that sometimes butted heads with the hedonistic rock and roll lifestyle. And yet, for all of his mistrust of organised religion, and for all of his bohemian “freewheeling” nature, there is something about Judaism that has called to him time and time again over the years. In particular, he has been greatly influenced by a number of rabbis, whose openness, warmth, and great emphasis on the spiritual and mystical sides of Judaism, have clearly struck home with the former Mr Zimmerman. In particular, he formed a deep connection with Rabbi Shlomo Freifeld z”l, Rosh HaYeshivah of Yeshivas Shor Yoshuv, when Dylan, along with fellow Jewish bohemian poet Alan Ginsberg, attended a sheva brochas for an old friend at Rabbi Friefeld's yeshiva in New York. So taken was Dylan with both the Rabbi and the Yeshiva that he came very close to actually buying a place near the Yeshiva and was quoted as saying, when visiting Rabbi Friefeld on a particularly cold New York's winter night, “It may be dark and snowy outside, but inside that house, it's so light.”
Alas, he never quite went that far and his Judaism has remained but one (very big) part of an unquestionably complex spiritual identity. But when you consider just how much in-flux the very concept of Jewish identity is in our modern world, there's something profoundly fitting about one of our foremost cultural icons being so “complicatedly Jewish” himself.
Reprinted from Jewish Life magazine, www.jewishlife.co.za, download the free Jewish Life app on iOS and Android
(19) Raymond, September 3, 2019 2:00 PM
Enigma Wrapped in a Mystery
I have never known quite how to respond to Bob Dylan. On the one hand, his music is completely at odds with the kind of music I consider to be fine music. In fact, to this day I wonder if his singing can legitimately be called singing at all. And yet there is no denying that he is a master when it comes to lyrics, plus his style is just so iconic, so unique, that I would feel like I am some kind of cultural buffoon if I did not appreciate his music on some level.
I knew he had some ties to his Jewish self, but until I read this article, I did not realize that it was so extensive and deep. It reminds me so much of my own spiritual odyssey, in that I, too, grew up with a strong, traditionally Jewish background, and there was a time when I, too, tried to run away from it all, and yet looking back, never really left it. One can never really escape one's true Jewish essence, no matter how much one might wish to. And while I have never quite fully embraced my Judaism the way an authentically Torah Jew does, I do find that the older I get, the stronger my need has become to cling to anything Jewish. Perhaps that is what is going on with Bob Dylan as well.
(18) Deborah Fineblum, October 20, 2016 11:40 AM
Revenge of the Woodstock Generation!
. A coincidence that Bobby D gets the Nobel at the same time legalizing pot is on the ballot? The Woodstockers (and yes I was among the half million on Max's farm Aug 16, 1969) are coming out of retirement long enough to remind everyone that we're 'forever young' ... Yarsha koach to Bob!
(17) Chanie, October 20, 2016 2:29 AM
shouldn't his Nobel Prize be for Poetry, not Literature?
IWhen The Ship Comes In sounds like a metaphor for the coming of the Moshiach! It's my favorite Dylan song, along with Forever Young. I think his Nobel Prize should be for Poetry, not Literature!!
(16) Michael A. Koplen, Esq., October 14, 2016 5:36 PM
Actually, There are Quite a Few Jewish Pop Musicians
To the contrary of the writer's claims, there have been many outstanding Jewish pop musicians. The writer of this article failed to mention: Simon and Garfunkle, Carole King, Phil Ochs, Billy Joel, Lou Reed, Neil Diamond, David Lee Roth, Adam Lambert, Gene Simmons, Bette Midler, Carly Simon, Leonard Cohen, Adam Levine, Barry Manilow, Lenny Kravitz, Neil Sedaka, Susana Hoffs, Matisyahu, Donald Fagan and others.
(15) Joseph, October 14, 2016 2:13 AM
Don't forget all three Beastie Boys and also Marc Bolan of T-Rex fame.
(14) Pamela Fender, October 13, 2016 6:57 PM
Many Jews in the music industry
Billy Joel, too.
Adam Sandler.
David Lee Roth
Oh, and don't forget Barbra! And Bette Midler.
(13) Lenny, July 8, 2016 6:47 AM
There was so many songwriters in the early rock and roll over from the late 50s to the early sixties who are Jewish and some of them are Doc pomus and Mort Shuman comma Neil Sedaka and Howard Greenfield comma Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich comma Carole King and Gerry Goffin comma Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller comma Al kooper and many many more whom I haven't seen mentioned yet on any post here
(12) Anonymous, March 21, 2016 10:43 PM
Many mistakes and bad research in this story
This article is so wrong on so many levels. Many mistakes especially that of Jews in the world of Rock and Roll and music is absurd. Many others have pointed that out. But from artists, to manages, to writers, producers, to A&R, publicity etc Rock, Pop, Folk and even R&B have all been informed by Jews. Capitol and Columbia Records and other record labels all but had to close on the high holidays because of high absentee rates. Additionally, the idea that the two primary albums released during his so called Christian era are lackluster is way off base. They, are not only inspiring, but songs from those albums are routinely performed live by Dylan to this day. Gotta Serve Somebody, I Believe in You, Saved and When He Returns and many others, are, if you can remove yourself from whatever the motivation, are all tremendous songs. Both "Saved" and "Slow Train Coming" are full of inspired lyrics and brilliant melodies. In fact, the first Grammy award Dylan ever won as a performer and songwriter was for Gotta Serve Somebody in 1980 from Slow Train Coming.. Just watch the documentary Gotta Serve Somebody: The Gospel Songs of Bob Dylan (directed by an observant Jew by the way) and you will see and hear for yourself. Additionally, the writer blows the whole Forever Young story. The song was not written for Dylan's son Jacob, but for his eldest son Jesse.
(11) Anonymous, March 14, 2016 11:50 PM
British rock lyricists
Deserving of mention are Keith Reid of Procol Harum (Whiter Shade of Pale) and Pete Brown who wrote for Cream (White Room).
Richard Beres, October 14, 2016 11:45 PM
Art Garfunkel, Mickey Hart (drummer for Grateful Dead), David Grisman, David Bromberg, Barry Melton
(10) Anonymous, March 14, 2016 9:43 PM
Another note on Dylan's Jewish ties -- and Utah
When Bobby Zimmerman, as he was known at the time, enrolled at the University of Minnesota, he pledged a Jewish fraternity -- Sigma Alpha Mu, aka the Sammies. According to a former family member (don't ask), he irritated everyone in the house by banging on the piano at all hours. Not for long, though, he dropped out in his first year. As for him calling Talkin' Hava Nageilah Blues “a foreign song I learned out of Utah”, my hunch is that he was riffing on the Mormons recasting Zion of the future (in Independence, Missouri, no less) as their "New Jerusalem".
(9) chana, March 14, 2016 4:42 PM
Let's not forget Meir Abershera
Part of Dylans tsuvah to his yiddischyte was his close relationship with Meir Abeshera, of the illustrious Abeshera dynasty. Meir aka Michel z"l and dear wife Esther, opened the gate up in Binghamton, NY and later Crown Hts/Flatbush in the early 70s to the first wave of BTs, He was the official whistle blower at many farbrengens by the Rebbe at 770. Bob Dylan was often present at these amazing Melave Malkas when Meir and Esther graciously opened their home with dancing, song, and french/Sephardic cuisine.. surely this period left a strong imprint on Dylan's mind and soul.
(8) Anonymous, March 14, 2016 3:38 PM
Bob seems to be in this Purim Song
"Bob" in Subterranean Purim Blues. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HDWbP6fqPI
(7) kdm, March 14, 2016 12:11 PM
and another one
Oh, and there is another one of these early jazz, blues and R&B label founders and bosses:.:
Art Rupe (born Arthur Goldberg), founder of (not unimportant) Specialty Records. His name also doesn't sound very Irish or Italian :-)
(6) Klaus D. Mueller, March 14, 2016 11:59 AM
there were! Many!
There WERE not just a few Jewish music managers or even important label founders & owners, but that was most obviously before 'your' time:
Chess brother, jews from Poland (You have mentioned).
Imperial Records: Lew Chudd, jew from Russia.
Alfred Lion, German jew: Blue Note Records.
Norman Granz: Verve records.
Eddie, Leo, and Ira Mesner: Aladdin Records/Philo Rec. a.o.
Joe Glaser, famous manager of, for instance: Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday, and Ellington, Goodman, etc. and later: Streisand, B.B. King, Allman Brothers...
And so on...
(5) Mike, March 14, 2016 11:51 AM
Jewish education
I actually wonder how 'Jewish' his upbringing actually was, beyond attending a camp. He did not seem to get a Jewish education. Eating kosher is fine, but so did (apparently) Jews from Poland who went by ship to America who threw their tfilin overboard.
It makes me happy to hear that he has reconnected to Judaism but it amazes me how a person so intelligent never took the time to look into what was so near all the time, Judaism.
Perhaps he was running away from it?
One can only imagine what kind of work he would have produced had he had a Jewish education.
In any event- Mr.Dylan, if you can read this, welcome home!
emily, March 14, 2016 8:07 PM
why so judgmental?
The extent to which a person "embraces" their Judiaism is his or her own personal choice. It is inappropriate (and not very "Jewish" in spirit, I might add) to chastise subscribing to your standards of faith and observance.
It's not about you!!
(4) Chaiah Schwab, March 13, 2016 5:29 PM
Thank you for publishing this.
I was deeply touched by Dylan's art back when I was in college and am always glad to learn more of his background and the background of his songs. Thanks again.
(3) Rafael, March 13, 2016 4:51 PM
I am a Dylan fan
Dylan said " some people are just born into the wrong family" speaking of himself . His family created him but he did what few of us ever do - he created himself .
The Torah is the best place in the world for learning how to write metaphors ...for saying this and meaning that ! Dylan sais of his writing that he writes things that sound good . It is the listeners who go crazy analyzing the meaning .
The song "Blowin in the Wind " does not say anything and then again it says everything . There are no conclusions except for the conclusions of other journalist and critics . Dylan's interviews do not reveal an eloquent esoteric artist . He answers questions with questions and garbles uncharacteristically for a man of words. The lack of definition and clarity is a mystic value that might have been inspired by Torah . In a sence , the critics of the Torah were the Talmudic Rabbis who were the journalist of the time writing commentary in Aramaic .
Dylan taught me that poetry valed in obscurity will inevitably demand absolute clarity by critics making the poetry much more powerful than it was ever intended to be .
(2) Anonymous, March 13, 2016 3:33 PM
Jewish content from musicians from the rock and roll era
There are more committed Jews from that same era. Now for something on Neil Diamond, Simon and Garfunkle and Leonard Cohen....
Anonymous, March 14, 2016 8:09 PM
Really?
Who are you to say who is "committed" and who is not?
(1) Don Robins, March 13, 2016 3:10 PM
Dylan One Among Many
While the article about Dylan's religious journey is interesting, your thesis that pop music has been only minimally influenced by Jews is badly flawed. Influential "Pop" musicians going back to early last century include (roughly chronologically) Benny Goodman,Eydie Gorme, Helen Reddy, Herb Alpert, Neil Sedaka, Carly Simon, Bette Midler, Barry Manilow, Barbra Streisand, Neil Diamond, Paul Simon, Art Garfunkel, Gene Simmons, Billy Joel, Paula Abdul, Lenny Kravitz, Leonard Cohen, Adam Levine. So if you're Barbra Streisand or Neil Diamond, who are very Jewish, and have topped the charts for 40 or more years, I'd call that influential.
Paula, October 15, 2016 12:21 AM
They are not all Jewish!!! But most talented anyway!
Carly Simon is not Jewish. One is Jewish if their mother is, was.
I do adore her music anyway. I can't stand the yelping of Barbra Streisand who never defends, protests boycotts or crimes against Israel.
Have no use for Gene Simmons who adopted a African group of youth, hey Gene take care of your own backyard first ( Israel, where u were born) or the gentile you had to marry wont allow ypu to spend on Jewish causes?
Herb Alpert a sweetheart, no drama, no scandals a real taste of honey! Same for Neil Sedaka! Love OU too hot, sexy Lenny Kravitz!
Raymond, September 3, 2019 2:11 PM
Helen Reddy and Eric Carmen
Seeing the name Helen Reddy listed above caught my eye, as I had never heard about her being Jewish. So I just looked it up, and it turns out that she converted to Judaism for one of her husbands, which tells me that chances are extremely good that it was not a legitimate conversion. So she is not Jewish, but she sure can sing well!
One Jewish musician who nobody here seems to remember is Eric Carmen, which is really a shame because he sang some of the best music of that same era, such as "Never Going to Fall in Love Again," and "All by Myself"