It was 50 years ago today, Bob taught the world how to play

Today marks the 50^th anniversary of the release of Bob Dylan’s first album for Columbia. For all the success, for all the honors Dylan has received during the last half-century, it is interesting to note the first album never once cracked Billboard’s Top 200 selling album chart during the year in which it was released.

Although Dylan became known for the songs he wrote (there are 375 covers of Dylan’s Blowin’ in the Wind alone), it is also interesting to note the first album contained only two original compositions, a tribute to Woody Guthrie and Talkin’ New York. However, at the same time, it is also important to remember that at the time of this album’s release, the so-called "folk music revival" that was rolling emphasized interpretation over composition. The major artists of the revival included non-composers Joan Baez and Peter, Paul & Mary.

One of the myths surrounding this album is Dylan’s version of House of the Rising Sun inspired the Animals to record the song. Actually, that inspiration came from Josh White’s recording.

In the last 50 years, no single artist has had a bigger influence on popular Music than Bob Dylan. He was the reason the Beatles’ lyrics became more sophisticated. His launched the singer-composer movement and the genre known as progressive country. Even his Subterranean Homesick Blues is credited by many as being the first rap song.

And it all began 50 years ago today.