Earlier this year it was revealed that Bob Dylan would be the first musician to win the Nobel Prize in literature, pleasing basically everyone but Dylan.
The award ceremony happened over the weekend and while Dylan didn’t turn up, Patti Smith did, delivering a rousing rendition of Dylan’s A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall.
She did a valiant, eight minute rendition of the song, becoming so overwhelmed at one point that she had to stop.
“I’m sorry, I’m so nervous,” she told the audience, before resuming the song.
As Pitchfork report, Dylan said he’d “absolutely” do his best to attend the ceremony and while his best wasn’t enough to get him there, he gave a speech to be read out.
“I’m sorry I can’t be with you in person, but please know that I am most definitely with you in spirit and honored to be receiving such a prestigious prize,” he said.
“Being awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature is something I never could have imagined or seen coming.”
You can watch Dylan honoured here at the 55:58 mark.
Smith will be in the country early next year for Bluesfest to perform her iconic album Horses in full.
Watch: Patti Smith – ‘A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall’ (Live At Nobel Prize Award Ceremony 2016)
