Dylan finally accepts Nobel Prize

Robert Allen Zimmerman was born on 24 May, 1941 in Minnesota. He took up the name Bob Dylan while playing music in college in the late 1950s (legally changed in 1962).

Zimmerman was Jewish and his paternal grandparents had moved to the US from the Russian empire in 1905.

Since high-school, Dylan has constantly evolved his musical expression and continues to, to this day.

Legendary 75 year old singer/songwriter Bob Dylan has been bestowed with the Nobel-Prize in Literature.

He has been given the award "for having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition."

Though the award is usually announced along with the Science medals, this year's delay in announcing the literature award, fueled speculation that the panel was in disagreement over a controversial candidate.

Bob Dylan broke his silence over the Nobel prize win, saying he will "absolutely" attend the prize ceremony, "if it is at all possible."

Reacting to the news of his victory, Dylan said "it's hard to believe", in an interview to a British newspaper.

A member of the Swedish Academy had earlier termed Dylan's silence as "impolite and arrogant."

The Swedish Academy has confirmed that Bob Dylan would not be coming to pick up his Nobel Prize at the ceremony in Stockholm.

In a statement, the Academy said Dylan wished "he could receive the prize personally, but other commitments make it unfortunately impossible."

It is unclear who would accept the prize on Dylan's behalf, and more information is expected in the coming days.

The Swedish Academy has stated that Bob Dylan will meet them in Stockholm to accept the Nobel Prize in literature and will also present them with a taped version of his acceptance lecture.

The academy said if he fails to deliver the lecture, he will forfeit the prize and the money.

They clarified that "no media will be present", as per Dylan's wishes.

The Swedish Academy stated that Bob Dylan finally accepted the Nobel Prize at a "private ceremony in Stockholm."

The Academy's permanent secretary, Sara Danius said the ceremony was attended by 12 Academy members, adding that "Spirits were high. Champagne was had." Dylan is the first songwriter to receive the award.

The meeting took place ahead of his first concert in Stockholm.