30 May 2008

AMSTERDAM - Bob Dylan's much reported motorcycle crash in 1966 never actually happened and the pop icon went in rehab instead, according to a new book published on Friday.

Dutch painter and author Jan Cremer claims to have seen Dylan during the detoxification process. Cremer, 68, makes his claim in his book, Ik, Jan Cremer III, that went on sale in The Netherlands.

In the book, Cremer writes about his life in The Netherlands and New York in the 1960s when he lived a wild life, mixing with the stars of the pop music scene.

In the 1960s, Cremer lived in the Chelsea Hotel in New York where Dylan also had a room. This is where Cremer allegedly saw Dylan suffering from the detox process.

Dylan was known to have used drugs to help him cope with his punishing lifestyle. After the motorcycle accident on 29 July1966, Dylan remained out of the public eye for almost two months, raising questions about what happened to him.

Rumours increased in later years, but Dylan always insisted he did not go into rehab.

Dylan's music changed radically following his return. Also, the frequency of his concerts was reduced substantially.

Dylan always said the accident had made him understand that his family came before his music.

[dpa / Expatica]