 In May 1960 , Dylan dropped out of college at the end of his first year . In January 1961 , he traveled to New York City , to perform there and visit his musical idol Woody Guthrie , who was seriously ill with Huntington 's disease in Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital . Guthrie had been a revelation to Dylan and influenced his early performances . Describing Guthrie 's impact , he wrote : " The songs themselves had the infinite sweep of humanity in them ... [ He ] was the true voice of the American spirit . I said to myself I was going to be Guthrie 's greatest disciple . " As well as visiting Guthrie in hospital , Dylan befriended Guthrie 's acolyte Ramblin ' Jack Elliott . Much of Guthrie 's repertoire was channeled through Elliott , and Dylan paid tribute to Elliott in Chronicles : Volume One . 
 In May 1960 , Dylan dropped out of college at the end of his first year . In January 1961 , he traveled to New York City , to perform there and visit his musical idol Woody Guthrie , <a href='null_relcl' title='1'><mark>who</mark></a>was seriously ill with Huntington <a href='null_genetive' title='2'><mark>'s</mark></a>disease in Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital . Guthrie had been a revelation to Dylan and influenced his early performances . Describing Guthrie <a href='null_genetive' title='3'><mark>'s</mark></a>impact , he wrote : " The songs themselves had the infinite sweep of humanity in them ... [ He ] was the true voice of the American spirit . I said to myself I was going to be Guthrie <a href='null_genetive' title='4'><mark>'s</mark></a>greatest disciple . " As well as visiting Guthrie in hospital , Dylan befriended Guthrie <a href='null_genetive' title='5'><mark>'s</mark></a>acolyte Ramblin <a href='null_genetive' title='6'><mark>'</mark></a>Jack Elliott . Much of Guthrie <a href='null_genetive' title='7'><mark>'s</mark></a>repertoire was channeled through Elliott , and Dylan paid tribute to Elliott in Chronicles : Volume One . 
In May 1960 , Dylan dropped outt of college at the end of his first year . In January 1961 , he traveled to New York City , to perform there and visit his musical idol Woody Guthrie , was seriously ill with Huntington  disease in Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital . Guthrie had been a revelation to Dylan and influenced his early performances . Describing Guthrie  impact , he wrote : " da songs theyself had the infinite sweep of humanity in em ... [ He ] was the tru voice of the American spirit . I said to myself I was going to be Guthrie  realest disciple . " As well as visiting Guthrie in hospital , Dylan befriended Guthrie  acolyte Ramblin  Jack Elliott . Much of Guthrie  repertoire was channeled thru Elliott , and Dylan paid tribute to Elliott in Chronicles : Volume One .