The death of Suze Rotolo was shocking to me. Each year, except the last one, I saw her at the annual Washington Square Folk reunions in Washington Square Park. At first she was very quiet, but over the years became loose and friendly. In the last couple of years, she approached me to talk.
She recalled the Rev. Gary Davis and remembered how the blind preacher could always “smell a woman” when he entered the room. She loved him, as did her her early boyfriend, Bob Dylan, with whom she appeared on the album cover The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan. The last time I saw her, on Sept. 13, 2009, she signed my copy of her book, A Freewheelin’ Time.
She was a very private lady and I was privileged to gain a little of her trust over time. We had a wonderful time with Izzy Young, the folk music legend, who Suze knew way back when. She often came to the park with her friend, Sylvia Tyson, of the Canadian folk group, "Ian and Sylvia."
She will be missed.
Sylvia Tyson and Suze Rotolo in Washington Square Park.