Bob Dylan loves playing music, whether in his own band or sitting in as a guest with other musicians. He always adds a special touch no matter who’s sharing the stage with him. Joining others on stage during live performances isn’t uncommon for this troubadour. But Dylan also lends his talents to several albums released by some top-notch performers. Let’s dive in!
Born on May 24, 1941, in Duluth, Minnesota, Robert Allen Zimmerman got a taste for music during his teen years. At 14, he picked up his first guitar. Early influences included Little Richard, Elvis, and Hank Williams. During high school, Robert formed a few different rock and roll bands, mostly playing covers of some of his favorite musicians. After graduating, he moved to Minneapolis to attend the University of Minnesota.
Bluegrass legend Earl Scruggs helped popularize the five-string banjo with his unique playing style. Scruggs performed with other musical greats, including Bill Monroe and Lester Flatt. On this 1972 album, Bob Dylan performs an instrumental song he wrote in 1969. Many of his fans complained when he released it because it was too country. But for this bluegrass-centric album, it was a perfect fit.
With a career spanning 60 years, there’s no shortage of Dylan material. But finding albums featuring Bob Dylan as a guest in some form wasn’t the easiest. It was sure fun digging deep for them, though!