Did Bob Dylan HELP The Wallflowers CAREER?
The story of Jakob Dylan’s band the Wallflowers & How They Got So Big in the mid 90’s thanks to their album Bringing Down The Horse.
0:00 – Introduction
2:22 – Wallflowers Early years
7:56 – First Album
11:56 – Tough Times
14:14 – Breakout Album
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The Wallflowers, led by Jakob Dylan, son of Bob Dylan, rose to fame in the mid-90s with their breakout album. Jakob, born in 1969, grew up in a musical environment influenced by his father’s career and the vibrant Greenwich Village folk scene. Despite academic struggles, Jakob received a robust musical education, inspired by British and American rock acts.
Jakob’s early exposure to the music industry, including touring with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, influenced his decision to pursue a career in music. He formed various bands in high school and eventually created The Wallflowers with friend Tobi Miller. The band faced multiple challenges, including lineup changes and industry indifference, but Jakob’s determination and songwriting skills kept them moving forward.
The Wallflowers signed with Virgin Records but struggled to gain traction with their self-titled debut album. They later signed with Interscope Records and released “Bringing Down the Horse” in 1996, produced by T Bone Burnett. The album featured hits like “6th Avenue Heartache” and “One Headlight,” which propelled them to stardom. “One Headlight” won two Grammys and became a significant success.
Despite the initial difficulties, The Wallflowers’ persistence paid off, leading to commercial and critical acclaim. Their success was bolstered by Jakob’s unique voice, strong songwriting, and the band’s cohesive sound, blending rock influences with a modern touch.
@rnrtruestories
January 23, 2026 at 6:14 am
Do you think Bob Dylan bring Jakob’s Dad had any impact on The Wallflowers success?
@fasst5511
January 23, 2026 at 6:14 am
One Headlight and their version of Heroes are their 2 best IMO. Their version of Heroes is so much better than Bowie's. There is a video of them performing it with an orchestra that is so good. And the way Jakob smiles at the end of it he knows. And RIP Michael Ward.
@R1Kyle
January 23, 2026 at 6:14 am
The title of this video sucks ass…. Who cares if Bob Dylan helped his son. Like what father would not want to help his kids.
@detroitlady7201
January 23, 2026 at 6:14 am
I saw Bob back in 70s. Honestly, I think Jacob is a better singer. It took Bob 3 songs to warm up his voice. He's a great songwriter, singer not so much. Maybe an off night, don't know, but wasn't best concert.
@pigglepower7794
January 23, 2026 at 6:14 am
sure he helped. he didn't live the starving artist lifestyle truly. but in terms of were the songs worthy of the success they achieved? absolutely. the songs stood on their own for sure. mike campbell contributing a riff for 6th avenue heartache seems far more significant. not hard to imagine that he was around rock legends like springsteen, petty, and more. that again, probably more significant in terms of influence. i didn't know mike campbell did that riff until now, but i have always felt that jakob was influenced by tom petty and heartbreakers musically.
@DonaldBermudez-k6u
January 23, 2026 at 6:14 am
MICRO WEENS unite! In all seriousness yo yo, did Bob Dylan help his son's career???? YES 100% whether or not intentionally or not, his name did BUT BUT BUT Jacob (or whatever the truck his name be) wrote some good songs so, we can all suck it, it was worthwhile nepotism if nepotism at all as it may have been all indirect help. At the time of the Wallflowers APEX (lol if you can call it that) I was too young and soooo not a fan of 1960s music other than the Beatles, that I did not even really realize or put two-and-two together to know that he was Bob Dylan's son.
p.s. despite jacob "not using his lastname" people had to talk about that shit and know because otherwise it is like "who TF is this dude with no last name and who TF he think he be CHER, PRINCE, TUPAC, ELVIS????" using no last name was more shady than just using a FAKE last name which he seemingly did not do lol people had to talk about that and speculate, especially since h did resemble his FATHER And I Am sure there were other context clues; plus as we heard in this video, people in da industry knew that Dylan had a son, and they had seen and met him lol there is no way he fooled anyone
@J.KyleHepp-qy7ow
January 23, 2026 at 6:14 am
I really don't think One headlight is Bob's lyrics.
I do believe Jacob's voice is a quintessential storyteller-vocalist, which has yet to be equaled.
@J.KyleHepp-qy7ow
January 23, 2026 at 6:14 am
I would love to hold down the bottom on my 5 string with either you or your dad.
You fakas rock out
@tWafflesS
January 23, 2026 at 6:14 am
I never liked Bob Dylan's music… Always loved the wallflowers, so I was pretty amused when I learned who his father was. I think it's admirable that he tried to keep his connection private and that he didn't use his connections to succeed.
@carterwatson1949
January 23, 2026 at 6:14 am
I didn’t even know Dylan had a kid
@nolandav6541
January 23, 2026 at 6:14 am
67 heartache
@TiffyCorbin
January 23, 2026 at 6:14 am
Jakob was my first celeb crush. Their album was one of the first albums I ever owned before I ever even saw him. I was probably 10-12 when I got that album and I'm 39 now. Took me til I hit my early 30's to even realize that's who his father even was. I always loved their music. Not who his dad was.
@SuperDrumwolf
January 23, 2026 at 6:14 am
all these guys that say "I didn't know his last name" total bullshit! there is NO WAY you can see Jake and hear Jake's voice on not figure it out.
@billjordan3952
January 23, 2026 at 6:14 am
Great song 💯
@SanFranita
January 23, 2026 at 6:14 am
Not youngest child, but he is the youngest son. The youngest child is a daughter born in the 80’s with his 2nd wife.
@frightbat208
January 23, 2026 at 6:14 am
I'm Australian and enjoy learning the links Jakob and his band had with our country during their early years. I listen to this song on the regular (54 years old) but occasionally come across the video. Jakob's eyes are …..
@BoldasLove1982
January 23, 2026 at 6:14 am
Saw them last night with ZZ Top . Great show
@mikegames3464
January 23, 2026 at 6:14 am
I saw them open for John Mellencamp 10 days before 9/11
@reminisco1776
January 23, 2026 at 6:14 am
Yeah, my father is a thief, I am not and I know the Feds are just running a grift cause I report his theft and they can easily destroy him, but instead they just accuse me of being a thief but won't confront me in person and won't reveal what I stole. It's pathetic, they are in bed with LCN and they all deserve to lose everything.
@jergervasi3331
January 23, 2026 at 6:14 am
They made SUCH a big deal out of downplaying Jakob's Dad, but I always wondered, "Wouldn't Jakob's legal name be Jakob Zimmerman? Who are they kidding?"… But it turns out 'Jakob Dylan' IS his legal name, so I guess Bob changed it legally all those years ago. Regardless, Jakob is his own man, and a brilliant artist. The Wallflowers records, along with Counting Crows, coincidentally, rank among my favorite of the otherwise arid 90's scene.
@TheDmccubbi
January 23, 2026 at 6:14 am
Nice job on the video. Thoughtful and interesting.
@KellyK387
January 23, 2026 at 6:14 am
I always thought he was the hotter version of his dad but he actually looks just like his dad. He came into my local guitar shop a few months ago when he had a show here in town (‘major city ) and took pictures with my friends who work at the store. I guess he and his band were getting guitar equipment for their gig. I wish I had gone 2 miles down the street to meet him since I took lessons there for 4 years but I didn’t
@MrGaryStaples
January 23, 2026 at 6:14 am
I’ve been delivered is one of the best songs ever written. I don’t care if his dad led to his success, because otherwise that song wouldn’t have reached the audience it has
@XavierOthon
January 23, 2026 at 6:14 am
ONE IN DECILLION
@thekillingfieldsable
January 23, 2026 at 6:14 am
You certainly aren't!
@bernadettemalec9472
January 23, 2026 at 6:14 am
Jakob you're a strong man, following your dad wasn't easy. I'm sure you had to fight for everything you've accomplished.🎶💜
@shadrach6299
January 23, 2026 at 6:14 am
He sure got all of the looks in the family
@henriettamoody9085
January 23, 2026 at 6:14 am
Oh honey, no one ever compared you to your dad.
@Youcantleavethisempty01
January 23, 2026 at 6:14 am
It sure would have been great to hear the story from Jakob instead of listening to you drone on.
@billdauphine951
January 23, 2026 at 6:14 am
Respect…but com' on… it helped…❤
@MJ-zx3ct
January 23, 2026 at 6:14 am
the wallflowers are awful
@cheryldanieri7359
January 23, 2026 at 6:14 am
😏 I realize Jakob & his Dad have a very different voice/ tone…but hey now, he would of been my choice in The Complete Unknown instead of Timothee Chala'MEH…….
@steveconn
January 23, 2026 at 6:14 am
I saw him accompany his dad onstage at Newport 2002.
@adriennepelletier9934
January 23, 2026 at 6:14 am
There are so many talentless nepotism babies out there. Jakob was beautiful and had better vocals than his dad. Why even write this article?
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