David Bowie's Response To First US Fan Mail Shows How Truly Humble He Was

"Thank you for being so kind as to write to me..."

After the death of legendary rock star David Bowie on Sunday following a battle with cancer, an old letter from the iconic artist to a teenage fan made the rounds on the Internet -- and it says a lot about the star's character.

Bowie's response to then-14-year-old Sandra Dodd's fan letter -- his "very first" from the U.S. -- from September 1967 has resurfaced. In it, the artist excitedly thanked Dodd, who'd written to Bowie from New Mexico, for her correspondence.

"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," he wrote in his response. "Thank you for being so kind as to write to me and do please write again and let me know some more about yourself."

On her website, Dodd, who wrote that her last name was "Adams" at the time, recalled telling Bowie in her fan letter that she found his music to be as good as that of The Beatles. She also mentioned that she offered to start a fan club.

In addition to thanking her for her kind words, Bowie told the 14-year-old in his reply that he'd been waiting for some feedback from American listeners, and that while he'd received reviews from Billboard and Cash Box, their critiques "rarely reflect the opinions of the public." He also wrote that a fan club for him already existed in England, and it was probably too early to create one in the U.S. However, he did write candidly about how he hoped "one day to get to America."

The letter proves that Ziggy Stardust could also be very down-to-earth.

Read the letter's full text below.

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,

David Bowie

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