A Complete Unknown: How Woody Guthrie became an inspiration for Bob Dylan? Explained

A Complete Unknown was released in theatres on December 25, 2024, and has sparked discussions about various aspects of Bob Dylan's life. The film is an autobiographical musical drama that chronicles the singer-songwriter's rise to fame, including the controversies that surrounded him.

One of the topics that has gained traction among audiences since A Complete Unknown's release is perhaps, Dylan's influences from various artistic figures during his upbringing. Among them, American singer-songwriter and composer Woody Guthrie stands out as one of his most significant inspirations.

Guthrie was a prominent figure in American folk music, known for his political and revolutionary songs. His songs and style of music had a significant impact on Bob Dyalan's career, especially in his heydays as he too, sang about politics, revolution, and change. It is also believed that Guthrie was the one who inspired Dylan to pursue folk music.

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How old was Bob Dylan when he met Woody Guthrie?

Bob Dylan found a great deal of inspiration in Woody Guthrie, particularly from his specific genre of folk music and the extraordinary story of his life. Guthrie's autobiography, Bound for Glory, was instrumental in shaping Dylan’s aspirations regarding his career. It motivated him to immerse himself in folk music and narrate stories through his songs much just like Guthrie did.

Therefore, when Dylan found that he had the opportunity to meet Guthrie in person, he did not want to let that slip away. At the age of just 19, Dylan hitchhiked from Minnesota to New York City with just a rucksack and a guitar.

Driven by his admiration for the legendary artist, Dylan didn't waste any time to finally meet Woody Guthrie. During their meeting, Dylan took the chance to sing some songs for Guthrie.

This first visit marked the beginning of a significant friendship between the two individuals who had a shared love for music. Dylan continued to visit Guthrie frequently, providing companionship and support in his last days. He remained by Guthrie’s side, showing not only his admiration for him but also a profound sense of loyalty and respect as he faced the end of his life.

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What was Wood Guthrie's illness?

When Bob Dylan had first met Woody Guthrie he was gravely ill, and nearing the end of his long fight with Huntington's Disease. The disease had affected his life for several years.

For the uninitiated, Huntington's Disease is a condition that causes the gradual breakdown of nerve cells in the brain. It affects a person's motor skills, cognitive abilities, and emotional health.

This disease is relatively rare and is usually passed down through a mutated gene from one parent. Symptoms of the disease can appear at any age, but they typically start showing up in a person in their 30s and/or 40s.

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About A Complete Unknown

A Complete Unknown is a recently released film that chronicles the life of musician Bob Dylan. While it touched on almost all aspects of his life, it specifically focused on his rise to stardom and the challenges he faced during the journey.

The official synopsis for the film reads:

"Set in the influential New York music scene of the early 60s, A COMPLETE UNKNOWN follows 19-year-old Minnesota musician BOB DYLAN’s (Timothée Chalamet) meteoric rise as a folk singer to concert halls and the top of the charts – his songs and mystique becoming a worldwide sensation – culminating in his groundbreaking electric rock and roll performance at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965."

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A Complete Unknown is currently running in theatres.