Select the sentence from the passage that best answers the question.
Select the sentence in which the author provides evidence for the claim that the merging of folk and rock music occurred prior to Dylan's transformation into a folk-rock artist.
Click on a sentence in the passage to make your selection.
Bob Dylan received the Nobel Prize in literature for his contributions to American folk music, reflecting the prevailing view of Dylan as a visionary poetic lyricist, an acoustic troubadour and a central figure of the 1960s protest song movement. Dylan also played a significant role in transforming rock music when he switched to electric instruments to create songs that blended rock elements with folk lyrics and themes.
The fusion of folk and more-commercial genres had actually occurred prior to Dylan's bold reinvention. Notably, two groups—The Byrds and Peter, Paul and Mary—had achieved popular success with renditions of Dylan folk songs into which they integrated rock drumbeats. But Dylan's songwriting prowess, greater familiarity with the folk tradition, heightened social awareness and distinctive voice better positioned him to propel the emerging folk-rock genre forward. In 1965 and 1966, Dylan cemented his transition from folk artist to rock star with the release of three folk-rock albums, including Highway 61 Revisited. The lead single on this album, Like a Rolling Stone, combined Dylan's folk sensibilities with rock aesthetics and is generally recognized for its revolutionary use of the rock genre to convey socially conscious themes.
Answer (2)
The sentence that best addresses the merging of folk and rock music before Dylan's transformation is, 'The fusion of folk and more-commercial genres had actually occurred prior to Dylan's bold reinvention.' This indicates that the blend of these musical styles was happening before Dylan’s shift to electric instruments. Groups like The Byrds and Peter, Paul and Mary played significant roles in this integration, laying the groundwork for Dylan's eventual influence.
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The sentence that best answers the question about the merging of folk and rock music occurring prior to Dylan's transformation into a folk-rock artist is: 'The fusion of folk and more-commercial genres had actually occurred prior to Dylan's bold reinvention.'
This sentence clearly states that the blending of folk and more commercial music styles happened before Bob Dylan made his well-known switch to electric instruments and began creating folk-rock music. The passage further supports this by mentioning The Byrds and Peter, Paul and Mary as groups that successfully integrated rock elements into their renditions of Dylan's folk songs.
This historical context is important because it helps us understand that while Dylan is often credited with popularizing folk-rock, he was building on existing musical trends. His influence, however, was significant due to his songwriting talent and awareness of social issues, which helped propel the folk-rock genre to new heights.
