The Bob Dylan That Stole Christmas

By Michael Lopez Fri., Aug. 28 2009 at 6:20 AM

Categories: Other People's Blogs

Behold: the cover of Bob Dylan's new Christmas album. The times they are a-changin', indeed

Let me preface this by saying that the fact Dylan is donating all of the U.S. royalties from his upcoming album to the charity Feeding America is a very noble move, and one that deserves respect. He obviously doesn't need the money, but there might be something more -- something regarding the theme of the album -- that lead him to such a decision.

We all know Bob Dylan's isn't the singer's real name. Those fans of Dylan's and even some casual observers of the icon's career know he was born Robert Allen Zimmerman on an unassuming May afternoon in Duluth, Minnesota in 1941. He grew up to become the performer that he is today, all under his assumed last name of "Dylan." There is no mistaking what he has done in his career to this point, especially considering his latest album will be his 47th -- an astonishing number. It's this newest album's content and theme, however, that makes it absolutely ridiculous and head-scratchingly odd.

Yes, if you haven't figured it out by now, the artist born Robert Zimmerman -- Zimmerman -- will be releasing a Christmas album. Christmas In The Heart will hit stores October 13, just in time for Halloween.

In reading the blurb about Christmas In The Heart on Dylan's website, the album will go a long way to providing those that go hungry during the Holidays with much-needed meals. Again, it's a very nobel and selfless act by Dylan to use his fame as an artist to provide charity for those in need. I, however, am noticing that all the initial press about the album is focused solely on the humanitarian effort rather than the fact that a Jewish man is recording Christmas music.

I suppose it's okay that Dylan is recording this album -- he's given himself the perfect distraction with his charitable efforts. I assume a lot of people will think, "Wait, Dylan is recording 'Frosty The Snowman?' Oh, he's donating proceeds to charity...but still, isn't he Jewish?" In the end, it's still an odd choice for someone like Dylan, but this is America and he'll get a lot more attention if he records a Christmas album than if he records a Hanukkah one.

Oh, for those keeping track, Bob Dylan's Hebrew name is Shabtai Zisel ben Avraham.

Here's some video of Kent Jones having a little fun at Dylan's expense (complements of BrooklynVegan):

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Bob Dylan, Christmas In The Heart, Feeding America, Robert Allen Zimmerman

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"In a statement, Feeding American president and CEO Vicki Escarra explained that, “When we reached out to Bob Dylan about becoming involved with our organization, we could never have anticipated that he would so generously donate all royalties from his forthcoming album to our cause . . . This major initiative from such a world renowned artist and cultural icon will directly benefit so many people and have a major impact on spreading awareness of the epidemic of hunger in this country and around the world.” In the same statement, Dylan himself commented, “It’s a tragedy that more than 35 million people in this country alone -- 12 million of those children -- often go to bed hungry and wake up each morning unsure of where their next meal is coming from. I join the good people of Feeding America in the hope that our efforts can bring some food security to people in need during this holiday season.”"
Wow... I think everybody might need to calm down a bit. I am a big Dylan fan and I am well aware of his Christian roots. However, the fact that he has been more or less a practicing Jew for the past couple of years (why yes, I do consider participating in Yom Kippur services an active participation in Judaism) makes this Christmas Album seem particularly out of place. While the author of the article (Mr. Lopez) might not be as well versed in Bob Dylan sightings as I or the rest of you are, he points out a relative point that the mainstream media might be confused by this Christmas Album. Truth is, Dylan is a bloody genius and can do whatever he wants and it will probably turn out fantastic. Dylan changes his religion almost daily and has stated to Rolling Stone recently that "Religion degrades true faith". Dylan's religious persuasion is hard to follow even for the most fanatic fan, give the author a little break. That having been said, Mr. Lopez obviously doesn't have the best music taste if he doesn't trust Dylan to make a superb album! And to the people who are writing that this article is anti-Semitic... fuck you, you are dumb asses and don't understand anything, much less this article. And to the people who are writing that Judaism is a race... any self respecting Jew (myself included) would punch you in the face for referring to Judaism as a "race". That is an outdated, arbitrary term that conjures up rhetoric used by the Nazis.
Is Michael Lopez a straight racist? The article is not just silly it is a terrible shame Phoenix NewTimes publishes ignorant simplicity like this. Yukky
This guy who wrote this article is a piece of fucked up human being that wants to make everything political. Let me ask you this Mr Lopez, how much have you ever given to those in need? Let me ask you this Mr Lopez, who cares where a person comes from? What matters is what he has done and is doing. I think Mr Lopez you better write a new article and give some apologies for your stupid mind.
Seems to me that Jesus was Jewish too!
This article is offensive, for all of the reasons already explicated above. I hope the good people at the Pheonix New Times are reading these responses. Lopez should issue an apology.
This is very strange. Why shouldn't a Jew, or a Muslim, or a Buddhist or an atheist anyone else play Christmas music? Christmas may be a religious holiday for some people, but for most it's a secular holiday that has nothing whatsoever to do with religion. It's about the season, expressing goodwill to others, and sharing joy with your family and friends. And even for those who are religious, it is about celebrating the birth of a Jew, and someone whose philosophy is very clearly based in Jewish thought and ethics.
And who stole your brain, mr. Lopez? As many have already commented, this is the stupidest thing I've read in my entire life. By the way, I am an Atheist, but I love (and even sing) many Christmas carols and other religious songs. Should I apologize for my 'outrageous' behaviour? The answer is: ho ho ho.
How exactly has anyone, let alone Bob Dylan or Bob Zimmerman, stolen anything, let alone Christmas? Seems he's in fact returning it back to the people from the corporate turds who stole it--many of them as Christian as your neighborhood pedophile priest.
Good God! Did your mother have any kids that lived??? Ever heard of Irving Berlin? Ever heard of Slow Train Coming? Do you know what Christmas is? I fear for your soul. What a huge symbol of all that print journalism has fallen into. This is less than fishwrap. Shame on New Times for propagating this idiocy into our already deeply misguided, narrow-minded world.
What you're saying here is that what we're born as is all we can ever be. Look, Dylan, in some bizarre way, considers himself a Christian. I sure don't like this -- I'm an athiest! -- but it's what he is. The insinuation that Dylan's charity efforts are a distraction to cover the fact that he's recording an Xmas album as opposed to Hannukah one (as if many people really care!) is very close to insulting. A black man can record country music, a white boy can rap, and a born Jew can ride in a one-horse open sleigh. We don't need to stay in our boxes.
When Neil Diamond issued a Christmas album in conjunction with a Christmas TV special, no one raised an eyebrow. And I don't recall that Neil gave his royalties to charity.
i will never understand why the idea that bob dylan is a christian offends so many people. every night before bob comes out on stage his taped introduction says he feel into substance abuse, found jesus, became sober and has went on to make some of his best music. if that is not a testimony to the fact he still believes and has a need to give god glory for it, i don't know what is. the jews have been waiting on a messiah, jesus says it was him and obviously some very wise jewish people believe the prophecy has ben fulfilled.
All the Men are MEN !
Michael Lopez- what's this guy doing writing for a newspaper? With a name like that (Lopez) you'd think that he'd be rolling burritos in some restaurant. Did the Phoenix Times check this guys papers?
Why do we defend like crazy against the so called "War on Christmas" and then bash someone for celebrating it?
This was hugely moronic article. Dylan's faith has been a matter of large public scrutiny since the early 80's with his conversion, and there is nothing anywhere that precludes anyone of any faith to sing any song they want, especially if your name is Bob Dylan. What I find particularly disturbing about this piece is that what it tries to do is create discord where there is none. The video was even dumber (if that was possible) with the throat clearing on the name Zimmerman. Is this the 1950's are we all going to laugh at your Jew joke, oh I get it, ha ha, he was born a Jew so he can't possible sing Christmas songs, ha ha. The joke is on this paper, that video, and any other moron who spent their time trying to create controversy for their own sake. It makes me a little sad that people who do this actually think they have a good job.
this is just another stupid article to take up space in another useless newspaper. so what if he is or isn't still jewish or christian? at least he can spell. Notice - noble - (spelled correctly in its first use) spelled incorrectly - nobel - in its second use. the media highway just full of useless info & opinion. like this.
antisemitism
Irving Berlin was Jewish and he wrote White Christmas. Remember Phil Spector's definitive Christmas album.
Should have done your research before writing such a pointless article
This is a very poor article. To be Jewish is a matter of race and birth, not faith. Dylan has shown only a little interest in Judaism (the faith) down the years but has made albums and written songs that are explicitly Christian. This doesn't mean that this new album is "religious" in anyway - it hasn't even come out or had a full track listing released - but Dylan like everyone one else has the right to explore ideas about God. Last time, I checked Jesus was a Jewish guy too.
@ Godzilla: I agree 100%. The article is just plain silly. I mean, Irving Berlin, who wrote White Christmas, was Jewish and nobody's making a big deal out of that.
And how many non-Christian people have recorded Christmas albums and have made money by doing so? Whats the big deal? Dylan can do whatever he wants!!!!! Last time I checked, he still performs his gospel songs once in a while in concert.
Check around, I'm sure you'll find lots of Jewish folks who observe Christmas. With many people, being Jewish is much more cultural than religious.
bob dylan released a bunch of christian albums, and actually converted to christianity for awhile. i'm a very casual fan, so i'm not sure if he still practices any religion at all - but being born jewish doesn't mean you grow up to be a jew. my dad, for example (robert HOROWITZ) became an episcopal priest during his 30s. people often ask me, "don't you mean a rabbi?"