Patti Smith to sing for Nobel winner Bob Dylan
December 5, 2016
To the disappointment of fans around the world, legendary singer and songwriter Bob Dylan announced in November that other obligations would keep him from personally accepting his Nobel Prize. He has, however, prepared a brief thank-you speech for the December 10 award event. It is unclear who will present the speech.
Patti Smith, an American music legend in her own right, will be offering up Dylan's musical talent - singing his song "A Hard Rain's a-Gonna Fall," the Swedish academy announced on Monday. Dylan and Smith are long-time music companions, having also toured together in 1995.
No to Obama, too
Dylan is the first musician ever to be awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature, for "having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition." However, Dylan waited nearly two weeks before responding to the announcement in October.
Likewise, the musician refused an invitation by US President Barack Obama. The president traditionally receives Nobel winners in the White House in the run up to the Nobel Prize ceremony in December.
The 75-year-old musician has announced he will be giving several concerts in Sweden in the coming year.
als/eg (dpa, AFP)