Yeah, I got a new Macbook Pro. I got in much the same way I broke down and got an iPhone: the previous technologic gadget broke. I wasn’t in the market for an iPhone, since I’m the one in charge of paying the phone bill, but my crappy free t-mobile phone died. The very next day (and $600 later) we were bona fide iPhone users. I got a new laptop because Kyle’s ancient Dell (which has smelled like burning candles for the last two years and was really only being used to synch his iPhone anyway) finally bit the dust. (Sure, he did help it along a *wee bit*, but it really was time for it to be put out of its misery.) So I got a new Macbook Pro, Kyle has made the “switch” to my old Macbook Pro and I’m out $2500. I love/hate new techno-toys. *Sigh*

Recent Letters

Wednesday, 2 December 2009

My real name is David Jones

In September of 1967, aged 20 and yet to make much of an impression on the music scene, David Bowie was so enthused to receive his first American fan letter that he immediately typed out a reply from the office of his manager, Kenneth Pitt. The fan in question was 14-year-old Sandra Dodd, a young girl from New Mexico who had come to own a promotional copy of Bowie’s first album as a result of her uncle running a radio station. She was impressed and decided to write to Bowie, telling him his music was as good as that of The Beatles and then offering to start a fan club on his behalf.

Below is the lovely reply she received.

Transcript follows.

Source

Transcript

PITT

25th., September 1967

Dear Sandra,

When I called in this, my manager’s office, a few moments ago I was handed my very first American fan letter - and it was from you. I was so pleased that I had to sit down and type an immediate reply, even though Ken is shouting at me to get on with a script he badly needs. That can wiat (wi-at? That’s a new English word which means wait).

I’ve been waiting for some reaction to the album from American listeners. There were reviews in Billboard and Cash Box, but they were by professional critics and they rarely reflect the opinions of the public. The critics were very flattering however. They even liked the single “Love You Till Tuesday”. I’ve got a copy of the American album and they’ve printed the picture a little yellow. I’m really not that blond. I think the picture on the back is more ‘me’. Hope you like those enclosed.

In answer to your questions, my real name is David Jones and I don’t have to tell you why I changed it. “Nobody’s going to make a monkey out of you” said my manager. My birthday is January 8th and I guess I’m 5’10”. There is a Fan Club here in England, but if things go well in the States then we’ll have one there I suppose. It’s a little early to even think about it.

I hope one day to get to America. My manager tells me lots about it as he has been there many times with other acts he manages. I was watching an old film on TV the other night called “No Down Payment” a great film, but rather depressing if it is a true reflection of The American Way Of Life. However, shortly after that they showed a documentary about Robert Frost the American poet, filmed mainly at his home in Vermont, and that evened the score. I am sure that that is nearer the real America. I made my first movie last week. Just a fifteen minutes short, but it gave me some good experience for a full length deal I have starting in January.

Thankyou for being so kind as to write to me and do please write again and let me know some more about yourself.

Yours sincerely,

(Signed, ‘David Bowie’)

Labels: fan, music, thankyou ·

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3 comments:

froggyprager said…

That is really a great find. It sounds to me like Mr. Jones is a bit turned on by his young American fan. I like the part at the end “please write again and let me know some more about yourself”. I wonder if he responded to fan number 2, 3 and 4. He seems like a real person in this letter and not some fantasy rock star.

02 December 2009 08:57

Anonymous said…

“It sounds to me like Mr. Jones is a bit turned on by his young American fan.”

You know she was 14 right? It wasn’t signed ‘R. Polanski’.

02 December 2009 10:44

ps said…

Oh, that was so sweet. What a cool letter. I’ve always liked Bowie, even if I’m not a huge fan of his music. You rarely see him in interviews or anything (at least in the US, not sure about elsewhere). I think the last time I saw him on TV was on that episode of Extras he did — very funny and cool, and this letter reminded me of that as well.

02 December 2009 10:49

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Nom nom nom!

I really do have the frickin’ cutest dog ever.

My mom and I saw this tall, bent over police officer slowly walking this ancient lady in Penn Station. She looked an old-world nona straight off the boat from the old country. So cute. And the cop was so tall he was practically bent in half as they shuffled along. So sweet. I felt like traveled back to a simpler time when grandmas wore babushkas and police officers didn’t carry tasers.