MUMBAI: Cultural icon Bob Dylan may have to do without the France’s highest civilian award- Legion d’Honneur- as the country’s far right raised questions on the legendary singer-songwriter’s eligibility to be bestowed the award.
According to reports, the committee that oversees the allocation of the award has cited Dylan’s marijuana habit and his anti-war stance as factors making him unfit as a candidate for the Legion d’Honneur.
The multiple Grammy-winning folk musician was deemed unworthy of the title by General Jean-Louis Georgelin, the Great Chancellor of the Légion d’honneur, who helps lead a 17-person committee in deciding the final shortlist of candidates.
The French general was alerted to the American musician’s controversial past by a routine police check on potential prize winners to ensure a candidate’s suitability.
Dylan had been officially nominated to become a Knight of the Order on the 50th anniversary of the release of his classic album ‘The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan by French Culture Secretary Aurélie Filippetti.
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Though non-French citizens cannot be members of the Légion, one criterion for a foreigner to be named in the Légion d’Honneur is that they “defend humanitarian causes”. Dylan was a pacifist icon and prominent campaigner against the Vietnam War; his protest song “Blowin’ in the Wind” was a constant feature of anti-war protests during the 1960s and 70s, report said.
Supporting Dylan’s removal from the list, Front National leader Marine Le Pen said, “The Legion d’Honneur should not be handed out any old how, to any old person. The president’s chef, the hairdresser of [former first lady] Carla Bruni and the favourite singers of Mme Filippetti… that’s not what the Legion is about. It is about a nation recognizing those who have fought for it or those who have been responsible for spectacular advances in culture or science. I like Bob Dylan a lot but one mustn’t exaggerate.”
But Culture Minister Aurelie Filippetti, an avowed Dylan fan, who nominated the American troubadour, said, “Something will be sorted out. Anyway it would be a good sign for France, and for all those who love rock and roll music in general, we pay tribute to Bob Dylan.”
If Dylan’s nomination is approved, he will join a list of foreign artists including latest recipient and peer Paul McCartney, Sean Connery, Miles Davis, Clint Eastwood, Gene Kelly, Liza Minelli, David Lynch, Norman Mailer, Luciano Pavarotti, Charlotte Rampling and Kristin Scott Thomas.
Meanwhile, Dylan will tour the US and Canada with his band WILCO and My Morning Jacket, this summer.
