Bob Dylan made Honorary Member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters

According to Reuters, Bob Dylan was made an Honorary Member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters. He joins a varied cast of leading writers, musicians and artists in the 115 year old group. Henry Cobb, the president of the Academy, spoke very highly of the honorary members, saying that only the greatest minds are allowed entrance.

He says of Dylan, "For more than 50 years, defying categorization in a culture beguiled by categories, Bob Dylan has probed and prodded our psyches, recording and then changing our world and our lives through poetry made manifest in song - creating relationships that we never imagined could exist between words, emotions and ideas"

Dylan was unable to attend the induction ceremony, where actress Meryl Streep was also inducted, but his presence was without a doubt felt. Novelist Michael Chabon gave the keynote address, which quoted Dylan's influential lyrics.

He sent his apologies in a letter to the Academy, saying "I feel extremely honored and very lucky to be included in this pantheon of great individual artists who comprise the Academy of Arts and Letters. I look forward to meeting all of you some time soon."

It was said that Dylan was made an honorary member due to the fact that the Academy was unable to decide which department-art, literature and music-Dylan fits into best. This truly highlights his impact on music and the arts.