Expecting Rain

Here's one that, unlike the Nobel Prize for Literature, Dylan is actually qualified for, yet has never received: the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, named after George and Ira Gershwin.

The prize was created by the Library of Congress in 2007. It's first recipient was Paul Simon. Other recipients are: 2009 Stevie Wonder, 2010 Paul McCartney, 2012 Burt Bacharach and Hal David.

The most recent recipient is Carole King. King will receive her award from President Obama at a White House event on May 23 in her honor. Performers at the event will include: Gloria Estefan, Billy Joel and James Taylor. The event will be streamed live that evening at 7 p.m. at

http://www.whitehouse.gov/live


and will be broadcast on PBS on May 28th.

King attended an event honoring her last night at the Library of Congress. King will also be honored at a luncheon with Library of Congress executives, members of Congress and PBS executives. King is the first woman to be honored with the Gershwin Prize. Carole King is 71 years old and has written as many terrific songs as any songwriter alive.


Why Bob has never won this award - well, who knows? The choice is made by the Librarian of Congress

"in consultation with a board that is both credible and broad enough in scope to represent the full spectrum of popular song. Board members may include but need not be limited to scholars, producers, performers, song writers, music critics, and subject specialists within and outside the Library of Congress.

"The recipient, whether composer, singer-songwriter or interpreter is recognized for entertaining and informing audiences, for drawing upon the acknowledged foundations of popular song, and for inspiring new generations of performers on their own professional journeys."


(from the Library of Congress/Gershwin Prize website)

That description of the 'recipient' fits Bob like a glove, doesn't it? This omission is a mystery wrapped in an enigma....

There is still time for him to receive this honour. The fact he has not yet received it could be due to many factors.

I heard this on the radio late this afternoon and thought the same thing. I imagine it will only be a matter of time until Bob is a recipient.

I know! I'm fine with all the people who have won so far but according to the criteria, it seems like Bob would have been the first choice coming out of the box, doesn't it? This prize sounds like it was INVENTED for Bob Dylan!!!!! puzzling.......

Like a lot of awards where one is awarded each year , the fact that an outstanding person like Dylan does not win is no reflection on him nor the panel . All of the other people who have received it are also worthy of the honour.

blegh, if they weren't gonna give it to Dylan first, it should've been Chuck Berry, not Paul Simon.

there are many fine songwriters who deserve it.

Few who deserve it as much as Chuck Berry.

a matter of opinion

I agree with you there. Who used the roots of American music more profoundly and who was a bigger inspiration to all the songwriters who followed? Chuck Berry wins over Simon hands down. Actually, he would have been a better choice than Stevie Wonder too. Without Chuck Berry, there would have been no Paul Simon or Stevie Wonder!

I agree. What's takin' so long??!!

Could it be Director James H. Billington, who initiated the idea for the prize and has been the Director of the Library of Congress since 1987? That list so far - Simon, Wonder, McCartney, Bacharach and Carole King - doesn't it sound like somebody's favorite 'easy listening music' from the 1960s and 70s? Billington is 83 years old.... who was he listening to back in the 1960s and 70s? Is it likely he was interested in Zep or Iggy or Screamin' Jay Hawkins? ??????

Maybe if you bestow upon him your eponymous lifetime achievement award it'll fill the void of this baffling blank on his cv. Or have you already, and I've just not heard about it?

Sounds about right. Neil Diamond for 2014, then.

He is not eligible for my award and for to award it to him would just be making a mockery of his achievements. He deserves real honors that respect his wonderful talent , not a fun award like mine.

odds on 2014 Gershwin Prize:



Paul Anka 2:1

Neil Diamond 3:1

Jackie DeShannon 8:1

Brian Wilson 40:1

Chuck Berry 100:1

Who is on the selection panel?

We must think alike, rev. If I hadn't picked Diamond, it would have been Anka.

To what misfortune does he owe his ineligibility for your award? This is, after all, a Bob Dylan forum, and to my knowledge his name is Bob Dylan. Also, remember that by honouring him with your award you will be placing those already so honoured in his esteemed company, instead of puncturing their flushed sense of pride and towering achievement by characterising your award as a frivolous trifle.

He is not a member of this forum and any way that award is nothing to which Dylan would or should aspire. It is just for fans.

This is all a desperate attempt by Zeppelin Crumble to win your lifetime achievement award oldmanemu - he seems obsessed with it!

Regarding the less prestigious Gershwin Award, they seem to be giving it to artists producing very hummable songs.

I've just checked. It's a special, not lifetime, achievement award. As such I couldn't accept it, although I might send a Tahitian girlfriend up to reject it on my behalf.