A Complete Unknown: Everything to know about Bob Dylan's motorcycle incident

Singer-songwriter Bob Dylan, the focus of the recently released film A Complete Unknown (released on December 25, 2024) has always been a figure who has inspired both admiration and criticism. So, when the film detailing his rise to fame and the controversies of his life came out, it was no surprise that reactions varied widely.

One topic that resurfaced in public conversation after a long time, is the serious motorcycle accident he was involved in back in 1996. On July 29, 1966, days before he was set to perform at the Yale Bowl in New Haven, Connecticut, Dylan lost control of his motorcycle while riding in upstate New York and eventually crashed.

The aftermath of the accident led to rampant speculation about his health. Numerous reports surfaced, with some claiming he had sustained severe injuries, including significant facial abrasions and a fractured vertebrae. The rumors intensified, with some even suggesting he had been disfigured or was completely paralyzed. In the more extreme corners of public discourse, there were even whispers that he might have died from the injuries he suffered in the crash.

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What song did Bob Dylan write after his motorcycle accident?

Following the 1996 motorcycle accident, (the occurrence of the same is briefly hinted at the end of A Complete Unknown), numerous stories began to circulate, resulting in a variety of interpretations about what actually occurred. Bob Dylan himself described the incident as quite serious, implying that it had significant effects on his health and career.

During his recovery at home, Dylan took the opportunity to write new music and recorded what would later be known as The Basement Tapes, with members of The Band in 1967. One song he released during the time was You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere, which he wrote shortly after the accident.

It is widely believed that this song was inspired by the accident and was shaped by his experiences throughout the difficult recovery period that prompted him to engage in deep reflection. This speculation comes from some of the song's lyrics, such as "You ain't goin' nowhere, you just sit right there," which fans think relates to the time Bob Dylan spent alone while recuperating.

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What type of motorcycle did Bob Dylan have?

Bob Dylan owned a 1964 Triumph T100 (Image via Getty)

Bob Dylan owned a classic 1964 Triumph motorcycle, specifically the Tiger 100, a well-known model from the British company Triumph. The Tiger 100 was first launched in 1939 as a standard motorcycle that captured the essence of the engineering and design of that time, leading to its immense popularity among motorcycle enthusiasts.

Unfortunately, the production of the Tiger motorcycles was interrupted when the Triumph factory was heavily damaged during World War II, due to the German bombings in 1940. However, the factory resumed its operations in 1946.

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About A Complete Unknown

A Complete Unknown features Timothée Chalamet in the role of Bob Dylan and explores his journey to fame as well as the backlash he faced during his rapid rise. The narrative also addresses the debates sparked by his decision to use electric instruments at the Newport Folk Festival, an incident that caught the eye of many. The official synopsis for the film reads:

"Set in the influential New York music scene of the early 60s, A COMPLETE UNKNOWN follows 19-year-old Minnesota musician BOB DYLAN’s (Timothée Chalamet) meteoric rise as a folk singer to concert halls and the top of the charts – his songs and mystique becoming a worldwide sensation – culminating in his groundbreaking electric rock and roll performance at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965."

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A Complete Unknown is in theatres currently.