On this day (September 16) in 2006, Bob Dylan’s Modern Times ascended to No. 1 album on the Billboard 200, becoming the legendary singer/songwriter’s fourth studio album to do so.
Dylan recorded Modern Times at Clinton Recording studio in New York City, and produced it under his Jack Frost pseudonym. He was accompanied by the members of his then-recent touring band, which included his longtime bassist Tony Garnier, as well as guitarists Denny Freeman and Stu Kimball, multi-instrumentalist, and drummer/percussionist George G. Receli.
Modern Times replaced girl group Danity Kane’s self-titled debut album at the top of the Billboard 200, and spent one week at No. 1. It was knocked from the top spot by Beyoncé’s B’Day.
The acclaimed collection’s 10 songs were credited solely to Dylan, which elicited some controversy. Some of the songs featured choruses and arrangements reminiscent of older compositions. In addition, lyrics featured in some of the tunes apparently were taken from or similar to the works of 19th century American poet Henry Timrod and first century Roman poet Ovid.
[RELATED: Watch Bob Dylan and John Mellencamp Exchange Renditions of “All Along the Watchtower”]
Dylan Set a Chart Record with Modern Times
Dylan was 65 years, three months old when topped the Billboard 200, making him the oldest living artist at the time to ever have a No. 1 album on the chart. Neil Diamond took the record from Dylan, as Diamond’s Home Before Dark album topped the chart in May 2008, when Neil was 67 years, four months old.
In May 2009, Dylan, at the age of 67 years, 11 months, again became the oldest living artist with a No. 1 album on the Billboard 200, when Together Through Life topped the chart.
In October 2011, Tony Bennett broke Dylan’s record when, at age 85, his Duets II album hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200. An 88-year-old Bennett eclipsed his own record in October 2014, when his collaborative album with Lady Gaga, Cheek to Cheek, topped the chart.
Modern Times was Dylan’s 32nd studio album. The Modern Times track “Someday Baby” achieved some success on Billboard’s Adult Alternative Songs chart, peaking at No. 3.
At the 2007 Grammy Awards, Modern Times won the Best Contemporary Folk/Americana Album honor. In addition, “Someday Baby” took home the Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance prize.
Modern Times has been certified platinum by the RIAA for sales of 1 million copies in the U.S.
Dylan’s Other Chart-Topping Albums
Modern Times was Dylan’s first to top the Billboard 200 in more than 30 years, since Desire in 1976. His other previous albums to hit No. 1 are Planet Waves (1974) and Blood on the Tracks (1975). Together Through Life was Bob’s fifth Billboard 200 chart-topper, and his last to date.
Dylan’s Upcoming Tour Plans
Dylan winds down a stint on Willie Nelson’s 2024 Outlaw Music Festival Tour with a performance on Tuesday, September 17, in Darien Center, New York.
After that, Dylan will launch a new series of fall 2024 European headlining concerts. Those shows are scheduled from an October 4-6 stand in Prague, Czech Republic, through a November 12-14 engagement at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
Modern Times Track List:
- “Thunder on the Mountain”
- “Spirit on the Water”
- “Rollin’ and Tumblin’”
- “When the Deal Goes Down”
- “Someday Baby”
- “Workingman’s Blues #2”
- “Beyond the Horizon”
- “Nettie Moore”
- “The Levee’s Gonna Break”
- “Ain’t Talkin’”
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Local News
Comments / 0