Simon Cowell Says Dylan Is a Dud

According to the New York Post, Simon Cowell recently indirectly refuted the long-standing (and patently ridiculous) rumor that Bob Dylan might appear as a guest judge on a future American Idol by saying that he prefers Kelly Clarkson's music to Dylan's.

"I've never bought a Dylan record," claims the Idol maker. "A singing poet? It just bores me to tears." But he didn't stop there. He goes on to say that a Dylan-inspired season of American Idol would suck. "I've got to tell you, if I had 10 Dylans in the final of American Idol, we would not be getting 30 million viewers a week. I don't believe the Bob Dylans of this world would make American Idol a better show."

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Song Stories

“Is It True”

Brenda Lee | 1964

As the British Invasion reached its peak in 1964, Brenda Lee went from Nashville to London to record one of her hardest-rocking hits, her perky vocal backed by a stuttering, squalling guitar. That guitar was played by session musician Jimmy Page, yet to skyrocket to fame with first the Yardbirds and then Led Zeppelin. "She said to me, 'I've come here to make a record with the British sound,'" remembered producer Mickie Most. "She felt she wouldn't get the same sound in Nashville because they're only just catching up on the British beat group sound of about six months ago."

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