Recently, Bob Dylan, 71-year-old singer-songwriter, was honoured with the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama. Obama considered Dylan as one of his personal heroes. Dylan had been honoured many times before by the American government over the years.
He has won 11 Grammy awards as well as an Oscar. He is the member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and has also been bestowed with the Kennedy Center Honor in 1997. Obama also presented him with National Medal of Arts in 2009, but Dylan did not receive that in person
The former U.S. President Bill Clinton said that he had more impact on his generation than any other creative artist of the time. According to Obama, Dylan captured something that America’s vitality and called him the biggest giant of American music. Dylan was obviously overwhelmed with this experience and honour and had a serious expression throughout the ceremony.
Respecting singers like Dylan, who is not only a life-pulse of American music, but also has been revered by other music-lovers around the world, shows that a nation recognizes their cultural heroes. It is important to acknowledge those that represent your country and its arts in the broadest way. Dylan’s music has reached to all corners of the globe and has generated for him fans from all around the world.