A Great Letter David Bowie Wrote His First US Fan At Age 20 Is Going Viral

As the world mourns the loss of The Starman, David Bowie – who died yesterday, after an 18-month cancer battle – fans are looking back to remember the legend that was.

Doing the rounds this morning is a freakin’ amazing letter a then 20-year-old David Jones (his real name) wrote in reply to fan mail from 14-year-old Sandra Dodd, from New Mexico, shortly after putting out his self-titled debut album. 
According to Bowie, she was the first of his American fans who sent him a letter of adoration, and he expresses srs gratitude that she knows about, and care enough to listen to, his music. 
“A few moments ago I was handed my very first American fan letter – and it was from you,” he wrote. “I was so pleased that I had to sit down and type an immediate reply.”
Sandra offered to start the first Bowie fan club in the US, and it tugs on the heartstrings to hear how modest a young Bowie was, obviously unaware he was set to be an icon for the ages.
“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,” he continued. “I hope one day to get to America.”
Twitter user Paul Kirby shared the letter in full, and it’s going viral the world over (almost 2K shares on Twitter so far) as a testament to the big heart/modesty he always had.

It’s a little hard to read so here’s the full transcript:


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’)

Does that not just hit you right in the guts?

<3 RIP DAVID BOWIE, 1947 – 2016 <3
<3 <3 A LEGEND FOREVERMORE <3 <3
Source: Daily Mail.

More Stuff From PEDESTRIAN.TV