HE’S one of the biggest names in the music industry and he’s coming to Southampton.

Fans of Bob Dylan couldn’t believe their luck when the American musician announced he was coming to the O2 Guildhall for a concert later this year.

The singer-songwriter will be coming to the South as part of the tour for his latest studio album – his 36th – Shadows In The Night, a collection of songs originally by Frank Sinatra.

The one-off Southampton gig  in October comes at the end of a UK tour featuring appearances in London, Manchester and Cardiff.

Tickets for the show went on sale this morning.

One lifelong fan, Wayne Marshall from Calmore, said it was a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see a living legend in Southampton”.

Wayne, 56, said: “For many people it will be a dream come true. I’m sure many fans will have gone to London to see him, but now he’s coming here.

“It’s almost like we’re back in the 1960s when we had all these big stars coming here.

“I imagine tickets will be sold out almost immediately.”

Born in Minnesota, the multi award-winning artist has had hits ever since the 1960s when his songs chronicled social unrest in the United States.

It isn’t the first time that the 73-year old has performed in the South. He agreed to headline at the 1969 Isle of Wight festival after promoter Ray Foulk pestered him for six months to do so and performed in front of 150,000 people.

Dylan is to visit to Southampton – US rapper Snoop Dogg is appearing at the Switch club this Thursday (May 21) and Fatboy Slim and Grace Jones will be headlining at Common People on Southampton Common this weekend.

For tickets (standing £60, seated £70) visit o2guildhallsouthampton.co.uk or call 023 8063 2601 or for group bookings call 023 8083 3612