Simon Cowell stirs drama with brutal take on Bob Dylan’s talent

Simon Cowell has never shied away from blunt opinions, but his latest revelation may shock music fans. 

The 66-year-old TV talent show boss has claimed that legendary singer-songwriter Bob Dylan would never make it past an audition on one of his shows.

He insisted that he simply isn’t a fan of the star’s famously unconventional voice.

Speaking on the Rolling Stone Music Now podcast, Cowell admitted he didn’t even realise Dylan had written Make You Feel My Love until he heard the artist’s original version. 

“When I heard Bob Dylan’s version, I didn’t know he wrote the song,” he said. 

“If he’d walked in and sang that version, I would’ve gone, ‘Forget it.’ Seriously. I just don’t think that would’ve been a great audition.”

The TV star doubled down on his long-running criticism of Dylan, insisting: “Look, I’m not a fan. But people like what they like. Everyone has different tastes.” 

It’s not the first time he’s taken a swipe at the music icon.

For the unversed, back in 2007 he said Dylan “bored him to tears” and that 10 Bob Dylans on American Idol would tank the show’s ratings.

The former X Factor judge also reflected on discovering One Direction in 2010, revealing he spotted “tremendous charisma” in a young Harry Styles, even if he wasn’t ready to be a solo star. 

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