Los Angeles, May 31 (IANS): Legendary musician Bob Dylan has been honoured with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honour given in the US.

Dylan is among 13 recipients of the honour.

US President Barack Obama said he is a fan of the 71-year-old musician.

"By the time he was 23, Bob's voice, with its weight, its unique, gravelly power was redefining not just what music sounded like, but the message it carried and how it made people feel. Today, everybody from Bruce Springsteen to U2 owes Bob a debt of gratitude. There is not a bigger giant in the history of American music," femalefirst.co.uk quoted Obama as saying.

"I have to say that I am a really big fan. I remember, you know, in college listening to Bob Dylan and my world opening up because he captured something about this country that was so vital," he said.

The president chooses the recipients of the medal, which is awarded to people who have made major contributions to the security of the US, world peace or culture, or have undertaken other significant public or private endeavours.