Bob Dylan’s Motorcycle Accident
Bob Dylan is one of the most influential musicians whose career as a singer-songwriter spans over five decades. Songs like, “Blowin’ in the Wind”, “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” and “Like a Rolling Stone” are cemented in pop culture. 2016 marks the 50th anniversary of one of the most famous and mysterious, motorcycle accident.
U.S. News covered the story in summer of June 29, 1966. A young Bob Dylan was riding his Triumph T100 motorcycle in upstate New York. What happened that day is still a mystery with the only people who know the truth,Dylan himself and a loyal selected few, including his wife. Reports that Dylan had been injured in a motorcycle crash started appearing in headlines. Even though no official police report of the accident meant that rumors had free range as to what caused the motorcycle crash and how injured Dylan was.
The Motorcycle Crash Mystery
“Dylan Hurt in Cycle Mishap”, was the headline written at the top of a two-sentence story in The New York Times. The article stated that Dylan was under doctor’s care, but nothing else. Rumors that he was brain damaged, blind, critically injured, or disfigured started to sprout on the grapevine. All that is known about the accident is that it is possible that Dylan was leaving the Woodstock home of his manager, Albert Grossman, before the accident. Like rumors, eventually different stories as to what caused the accident started to appear. A patch of oil on the road, the morning sun in his eye, or losing control going into a turn. At that time nobody knew the real answer to his motorcycle accident.
Howard Sounes, author of Dylan’s biography, writes that Dylan’s wife, Sara, was following him in a car behind at the time of the accident. It was Sally who carried injured Dylan back to Grossman’s home after the motorcycle accident.
He was transported to the home of a doctor in Middletown. Not wanting to go to a hospital, Dylan stayed with Doctor Ed Thaler and his family in the third-floor bedroom. Dylan stayed there for a month, recovering, although Dr. Thaler’s wife mentioned that she cannot recall Dylan showing any visible signs of injury, nothing life threatening.
Motorcycle Crash Hoax?
Up until the accident, Bob Dylan was living an exhausting lifestyle of writing and recording music and doing one tour after another. Being the voice of generation started making him uncomfortable. In his memoir, Dylan writes that living in Woodstock, New Work, had become a nightmare with people showing up at his door. Moochers or goons looking to steal something from the famous Bob Dylan. The publicized motorcycle accident gave Dylan a chance to slow down, hide out and hit the reset button. He went on a hiatus.
Dylan Historians even suggest that the motorcycle accident may have saved his life. Allowed him to slow down before reaching a breaking point. Dylan started to release music in 1967 but didn’t make an appearance on stage until 1969 for the Isle of Wright Festival. He started touring again by 1974 when he joined his old backup band, The Hawks, known now as The Band.
An article in folkmusic.com states that certain theories that debate whether or not the motorcycle accident actually happened. It also suggested that the accident was a hoax to give Dylan a much-needed break or that it was cover up for him to hideaway in rehab. That moment in Dylan’s career has been such a milestone that diehard fans refer to his career in terms of “Pre-Accident” and “Post-Accident.”
Motorcycle Crashes
The Insurance Information Institute (III) reported that there were 8.4 million motorcycles on the road in 2014. That same year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported 4,586 deaths and 92,000 injuries in motorcycle accidents. Motorcycle riders in 2014 were 27% more likely to die in a crash
Look Twice for Motorcycles
One of the most popular PSA ads for motorcycle safety is THINK. Encouraging motorists, as well as pedestrians, to look twice before crossing an intersection.
In conclusion, we may never know the cause of Dylan’s motorcycle accident. But the dangers of traveling on motorcycle in San Antonio are with us every day. Davis Law Firm would like to remind everyone; motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians, to look both ways and to share the road. Call the 4’s if you or a loved one were injured in a motorcycle accident. Davis Law Firm is here 24/7 to listen to your case. Our legal representatives offer free consultations! Contact us at (210) 444-4444.