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I think for people that grew up in the 50's and 60's, Dylan was a bridge between Folk music Rock music, and the Beatnik poets. While his voice was grating, his poetry, mixed with a social conscience, struck a nerve during the turbulent times of Vietnam, racial discord, and the widening gap of a more conservative older generation with their ever growing liberal minded youth. In fact, to some degree, his voice, rhythm and cadence weirdly brought some of the song's messages through like a slap to society's face, which to some degree they were. I find today, he is harder to listen to, because I no longer have the backdrop of Nam, Selma, Watts, flashing thru my head as I listen. He deserves the reverence he's gotten thru the years.
By the way, i saw him live twice, once around 1979-80, and once around 2002. Hugely disappointed each time.
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