Bob Dylan has recorded music.
Bob Dylan ( [ ˈdɪlən ] born Robert Allen Zimmerman ; May 24 , 1941 ) is an American poetic songwriter , singer , painter , writer , and Nobel prize laureate . His recording career , spanning more than 50 years , has explored the traditions in American song -- from folk , blues , and country to gospel , rock and roll , and rockabilly to English , Scottish , and Irish folk music , embracing even jazz and the Great American Songbook . His accomplishments as a recording artist and performer have been central to his career , but his songwriting is considered his greatest contribution . As a musician , Dylan has sold more than 100 million records , making him one of the best-selling artists of all time .