Joan Baez Reveals How She Found ‘Total Forgiveness’ for Bob Dylan Years After Breakup (Exclusive)

Joan Baez has lastly discovered “complete forgiveness” with Bob Dylan.

In an unique interview with PEOPLE, the “Farewell, Angelina” singer, 82, displays on her relationship with Dylan, 82, which can be a subject she covers in her new documentary Joan Baez: I Am a Noise (in restricted launch Oct. 6).

After breaking out in 1960, Baez started collaborating with and relationship a then-unknown Dylan. Regardless of their productive artistic partnership, the connection got here to a record-scratching halt when he abruptly broke her coronary heart in 1965. Their love affair impressed one in all Baez’s largest hits with 1975’s “Diamonds & Rust.”

“We have been in our early 20s,” says Baez, who calls the connection “completely demoralizing” within the movie. “We have been silly, and you’ll’t blame any person eternally. I definitely tried however lastly stopped.” 

She later discovered “complete forgiveness” for Dylan after she painted a portrait of him in his youth: “I put his music on, and I simply dissolved into tears. Once I was by with the portray, I had no animosity left. None. It’s remained that means.” 

In response to Baez, the pair has by no means reconnected over time.

A rep for Dylan has not but responded to PEOPLE for a request for remark.

I Am a Noise, directed by Karen O’Connor, Miri Navasky and Maeve O’Boyle, is a stunningly candid portrait of the folks legend that particulars her profession as an artist and activist, whereas delving into her relationships, household and trauma,  as she wraps her closing tour in 2019.

Whereas talking with PEOPLE, Baez additionally opened up concerning the hardship she confronted at dwelling. Within the movie she reveals recollections of early household abuse. “It was a darkish childhood,” Baez says. “Some deep, traumatic issues occurred.”

Baez additionally revealed she started experiencing panic assaults at a younger age and infrequently confronted racist remarks at college due to her Latin heritage. “ ‘Skinny, dumb Mexican’ is mainly how I noticed myself,” she says. 

“I feel it is as clear as it may be within the movie. As you progress alongside by the movie, it retains recurring; that that is how I am residing was from panic to panic,” she says of how her psychological well being was affected.  

Her mom struggled to determine what was troubling her when she was rising up. 

“My mother says that at one level, ‘’There’s one thing in there. We do not know what it’s. I assumed she was a cheerful little one, however one thing’s bothering her. I do not know if she is aware of what it’s,’” Baez remembers.

In a while, her panic assaults have been exacerbated by public appearances, however she nonetheless was uncertain what was triggering them.

Baez formally retired from touring in 2019, however made an exception in Could for San Francisco’s 2023 Acoustic-4-A-Treatment, organized by Sammy Hagar and Bob Weir.

Whereas touring could also be off the desk, is new music?

“I do not know,” she tells PEOPLE. “It appears slightly late within the sport.”

A part of her uncertainty has to do with Baez not too long ago discovering her voice has modified.

“With a purpose to sing something, I’ve to surrender the previous one and any ideas I had that I may actually revitalize that,” she says of her voice. “There’s a few of it left that strikes into this new period within the decrease vary, which is sort of enjoyable for me. It is a problem.”

In any other case, Baez is having fun with her retirement, relishing time spent together with her son Gabriel Harris (with ex-husband David Harris) and granddaughter Jasmine, in addition to drawing and writing poetry.

“The phrase ‘retirement’ didn’t have any which means to me,” she says, “nevertheless it’s loosened up this artistic vitality that simply sort of exploded.”