The romantic relationship between Bob Dylan and Joan Baez, icons of the 1960s folk movement, dissolved amid artistic divergence and personal betrayals. Their partnership peaked from 1963-1965, symbolizing folk music's political conscience. However, Dylan's shift toward electric rock with Bringing It All Back Home (1965) sparked tension, as Baez viewed it as an abandonment of their shared folk ideals.

Key Reasons for the Split

• Artistic Differences: Dylan’s embrace of electric music alienated Baez, who dismissed his new sound as "selling out." Her reluctance to support his evolution during his 1965 UK tour strained their bond.
• Dylan’s Secret Marriage: Baez discovered Dylan secretly wed Sara Lownds in late 1965 via tabloids, feeling humiliated after years of commitment.
• Public Snubs: During the '65 UK tour, Baez confronted Dylan after he refused her stage requests, detailed in her memoir And a Voice to Sing With. Dylan’s aloofness solidified the rift.

Surprising Revelations

Baez later acknowledged Dylan’s song "To Ramona" (1964) foreshadowed the breakup, interpreting its farewell tone as prophetic. Surprisingly, both revisited tensions in Dylan's 1975 Rolling Thunder Revue tour, where Baez publicly teased him about their history onstage. Their complex friendship endured despite betrayals, culminating in Dylan’s backstage apology to Baez at the 2009 Newport Folk Festival.

Legacy of Conflict & Collaboration

Post-breakup tensions infused iconic works. Dylan’s "Diamonds & Rust" (1975), written by Baez, lyrically dissects their romance with biting lines like "You burst on the scene already a legend." Conversely, critics interpret Dylan's "Visions of Johanna" as an indirect homage to her influence. Their sporadic collaborations until Baez’s 2021 retirement underscore mutual respect amid lingering discord.