Bob Dylan (born Robert Allen Zimmerman; May 24; 1941 in Duluth; Minnesota) is an American singer-songwriter; author; poet; and disc jockey who has been a major figure in popular music for five decades. Much of Dylan-s most celebrated work dates from the 1960s; when he became an informal chronicler and a reluctant figurehead of American unrest.A number of his songs; such as -Blowin- in the Wind- and -The Times They Are a-Changin--; became anthems of the anti-war and civil rights movements. His most recent studio album; Modern Times; released on August 29; 2006; entered the U.S. album chart at number one; and that same year was named Album of the Year by Rolling Stone magazine. "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" is a song written and performed by Bob Dylan for the soundtrack of the 1973 film Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid. It reached #12 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. In 2004, representatives of the music industry and the press voted it #190 in Rolling Stone magazine's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time issue.Bob Dylan (born Robert Allen Zimmerman; May 24; 1941 in Duluth; Minnesota) is an American singer-songwriter; author; poet; and disc jockey who has been.