When Bob Dylan played the Brighton Centre in May 2002

The US musician is loved, revered, and idolised the world over, but for one night 19 years ago, it was fans in Brighton who had the chance to see their hero in the flesh.

We delved into the Argus archives to find a review of Dylan’s performance at the Brighton Centre on May 4, 2002.

Bob Dylan celebrates his 80th birthday today

Dylan used the concert to showcase songs from him impressive back catalogue and “thrilled” the audience with favourites including Like a Rolling Stone, Mr Tambourine Man and Subterranean Homesick Blues.

The Argus reviewer said that whilst Dylan’s voice was not “what it used to be”, the crowd was “transfixed” with an evening of “brilliantly played rock.”

Supported by his band, Dylan treated the crowd to fresh arrangements and vocal interpretations to classics such as Mr Tambourine Man, Like a Rolling Stone and Subterranean Homesick Blues, to “give them a new edge.”

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Dylan is said to have been visibly and “genuinely” moved by the “warmth and enthusiasm” of the applause and treated the crowd to a rousing encore of All Along the Watchtower.

The legendary musician had previously played at the Brighton Centre in March 1995, when the price of a ticket would have set you back just £20.

At that time, Dylan had already been inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame, when musicians including American rocker Bruce Springsteen and Rolling Stone Mick Jagger paid tribute to his achievements.

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Born Robert Zimmerman on May 24 1941, in the backwaters of Minnesota, he reinvented himself as folk singer-songwriter Bob Dylan.

He famously sparked controversy by shifting to electric guitars in 1965 and was criticised by leading members of the folk movement for moving away from political songwriting.

In 2008, the singer-songwriter won the Pulitzer Prize for his contributions to music and American culture.

The Times They Are A-Changin' singer was left “speechless” after learning he had become the first musician to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature.

Dylan was handed the prestigious accolade earlier for "having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition".

He has sold more than 110 million records and inspired countless musicians, so despite the advice of his famous documentary Don't Look Back, many will take this opportunity to reflect on the extraordinary life and music of Bob Dylan.