Bob Dylan's 'Freewheelin' Muse Susan Rotolo Dead

By PopEater Staff Posted Feb 28th 2011 10:55AM

Susan "Suze" Rotolo, who inspired several of Bob Dylan's love songs, died Friday night at home in her New York City loft following a long illness. She was 67.

When Rotolo was a teenager, she met Dylan backstage after one of his concerts. He described her in his book 'Chronicles' as "the most erotic thing I'd ever seen." The two began dating between 1961 and 1964. She is most known as the woman walking with Dylan on the cover of his album 'The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan.'

When she left New York to study at the University of Perugia in Italy, the separation inspired Dylan to write two love songs: 'Don't Think Twice, It's Alright' and 'Tomorrow is a Long Time.' The couple eventually split.

In 1972, Rotolo went on to marry Italian filmmaker Enzo Bartoccioli and had a son, Luca.

Rotolo would later appear in Martin Scorsese's film 'No Direction Home: Bob Dylan,' a documentary focusing on Dylan's early career from 1961 to 1966. In 2007's semi-biographical Dylan film 'I'm Not There,' Charlotte Gainsbourg portrayed a character that was part Rotolo, part Dylan's early wife Sara.

Tags: bob dylan, celebrity deaths, Susan Rotolo

Comments

(31)

Monday 28 February

By manduhcash

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

you two made such a cute couple. so sad. r.i.p suze rotolo

By stu

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

after seeing Bobby on the grammys..i think he'll be joining susie real soon.

Tuesday 01 March

By lily

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

stu.. you are a disgusting pig and im sure everyone hopes its you and not dylan that goes first

By ANONYMOUS ANONYMOUS

I believe Woody Guthrie wrote "Don't Think Twice."

By andy

i am afraid you are mistake then, it's 100% dylan

By Denis

Nope, but stangely enough it was Peter, Paul and Mary who had the bigger hit with it.

By tommie

Vote down Vote up Report this

No, Dylan wrote it among thousands of other hits for many many artists. He can write MUCH MUCH better than he can sing.

By Pete Lincoln

Suzi Rotolo published a book about their relationship a couple of years ago. It's a great read - literate, insightful, and doesn't exaggerate her role in his life. A don't miss for Dylan fans.

By clancy

thanks for the heads up on the book, sounds like a good read

Wednesday 02 March

it's the book that has the cover of the same picture as above right but just a little different?

By lewis

MY PRAYERS & CONDOLENSCES TO MR DYLAN & FAMILY.

By jwfoust

Everyone gets old. Everyone dies sometime. Bob Dylan is no exception. However that will never take away his stature as a song writer and performer. One of the greatest of all time. Sorry to hear about Susan. From the album cover she looks exceptionally cute. Dated Bob, married a film maker. She had a good life. Rest in peace.

By Kai Ferano

jwfoust -- My sentiments exactly. Believe me, according to today's standards, this lovely woman died too soon...but she did have a blessed life. I wonder how Dylan reacted to the news of her loss. Perhaps another song?

By Jambrina

All your fans were impacted (indirectly) by this lovely girl, as she so contributed to the creation of who you are, Bob.
My deepest condolences for the spark that left us all.

By JEB BUCKINGHAM

My sincerest condolences go out to Bob Dylan. I know how hard it is to lose a friend, even if it's someone from long ago.

By Graydonpow

RIP, Suze. To quote the poet you inspired:

When your rooster crows at the break of dawn
Look out your window and I’ll be gone
You’re the reason I’m trav’lin’ on
Don’t think twice, it’s all right...