I am a Dylan fan from the time I was barely a teenager. The first album I ever heard by him was Subterranean Homesick Blues. He had already 'turned his back ' on the folk scene but b/c of him, I followed the thread of his older albums and became engaged with folk music for the rest of my life. So even if he 'abandoned' folk music, for a while anyway, he turned thousands (millions?) into fans through his artistic journey.

Dylan is an absolute original who has irrevocably changed the face of popular music - there is no one who has followed Dylan who has not been affected by his unique talent, whether they are aware of it or not. He soaked up every musical influence he could find,which is a hallmark of any innovative artist, and whether he borrowed, bastardized or innovated the songs, they all came out as unmistakeably Dylan.

Over the years, I have heard him badmouthed for how he treated others musicians as he pursued his muse, and put down for his ambition. It seems that we don't put down other popular icons for their rise to the top as harshly, whether it's Elvis, Sinatra, Madonna, etc. To me what really matters is the music and I for one feel a great deal of appreciation for Dylan's unique perspective. Whatever personal imperfections he may have had (and the recent Scorsese film lends great insight into the pressures he had as a performing artist encountering the dark side of fame) - he has been generous and true to the heart with his gift of song. I have never felt he couldn't sing- just that he did so in his own style. But even his detractors have to agree he sure could write. And I agree with Dylan himself when he says he doesn't feel fully responsible for his own creativity, the songs just pour out of him. He is driven by his own creativity, first and foremost.

Dylan is a musical hero who has not faltered from sharing his music directly with his audience , albiet on his own terms more often than not: he has been touring for decades, and his last two recordings are masterpieces.

I don't think Dylan really turned his back on the folk scene, but as Picasso 'graduated' from one artistic phase to another, whether it's a blue painting or cubism- so Dylan just felt compelled to evolve. And those who resented his evolution may just have to 'get out of the way if they can't lend a hand.'