To be fair the article does say folk rock. I wouldn't call him an icon, but I would say he was as important a part of the whole folk-pop-rock era and I loved his earlier albums AND LOVE one of his latest, "Sutras." It has the most beautiful, haunting songs on it and his voice is more mature, imo.

Also, I know someone who interviewed him for a book they were writing; he was very open, honest, kind, and approachable..they got a great interview and there was no hoity-toitiness about him.