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David Bowie’s Letter to 14-Year-Old Fan Resurfaces After Singer’s Death
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TIME Staff
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Jan 11, 2016 1:57 PM CUT
David Bowie performs in 1987 in New York City.
David Bowie performs in 1987 in New York City.L. Busacca/WireImage
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TIME Staff
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Jan 11, 2016 1:57 PM CUT
David Bowie fans have been sharing a touching letter the British musician wrote to his first American admirer nearly 50 years ago as tributes continue to pour in following the iconic artist’s death.
The music legend died Sunday after an 18-month battle with cancer, his son and publicist announced. He had just turned 69.
Bowie was 20-years-old when he penned a letter back to his 14-year-old fan, Sandra Dodd, from New Mexico in 1967. She had just received a copy of his record as a gift from her uncle and offered to start up Bowie’s first fan club in the U.S., according to Buzzfeed News.
“A few moments ago I was handed my very first American fan letter – and it was from you,” Bowie wrote. “I was so pleased that I had to sit down and type an immediate reply.”
“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. My manager tells me lots about it as he has been there many times with other acts he manages.”
The Many Faces of David Bowie
David Bowie is seen c. 1965. CA—Redferns/Getty Images
David Bowie during a portrait session in 1966 in London. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
David Bowie in his "Ziggy Stardust" guise in June, 1972 in London. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Twiggy poses with David Bowie for the cover of his Pin Ups album in 1973 in Paris. Justin de Villeneuve—Getty Images
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David Bowie performs c. 1973. Archive Photos/Getty Images
From left: Angie Bowie, his son Zowie Bowie (Duncan Jones) and David Bowie, appear at a press conference at the Amstel Hotel on Feb. 7, 1974 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Gijsbert Hanekroot—Redferns/Getty Images
David Bowie is seen with a large barking dog while working on the artwork for his album Diamond Dogs in London in 1974. Terry O'Neill—Getty Images
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From left: David Bowie, Yoko Ono and John Lennon at the 17th Annual Grammy Awards on Feb. 28, 1975 in New York City. Ron Galella—Getty Images
David Bowie during the filming of The Man Who Fell To Earth in Los Angeles in 1976. Terry O'Neill—Getty Images
Iggy Pop and David Bowie in Germany in March 1977. Evening Standard/Getty Images
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David Bowie performs on Saturday Night Live on Dec. 15, 1979 in New York City. NBC/Getty Images
From left: Carmine Rojas, David Bowie, and Carlos Alomar perform during the Serious Moonlight tour in 1983 at Wembley Arena in London. Phil Dent—Redferns/Getty Images
Paul McCartney and David Bowie backstage at Live Aid on July 13, 1985 in London. Dave Hogan—Getty Images
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David Bowie plays an acoustic guitar while being photographed at a press conference in Tokyo on May 19, 1990. AP
Annie Lennox and David Bowie perform "Under Pressure" at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert on April 20, 1992 in London. Kevin Mazur—Getty Images
David Bowie onstage at Madison Square Garden for his 50th Birthday Concert in New York City on Jan. 9, 1997. Kevin Mazur—Getty Images
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David Bowie is seen while being honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Hollywood, Calif. on Feb. 12, 1997. Jim Smeal—Getty Images
David Bowie performs during the Isle of Wight Festival at Seaclose Park on June 13, 2004 in Newport, U.K. Jo Hale—Getty Images
David Bowie performs with Arcade Fire at Conde Nast's 2005 Fashion Rocks Show on Sept. 8, 2005 in New York City. Kevin Mazur—Getty Images
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David Bowie during his last live performance on Nov. 09, 2006 in New York City. Kevin Mazur—Getty Images
David Bowie attends the 2010 CFDA Fashion Awards at Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center on June 7, 2010 in New York City. Andrew H. Walker—Getty Images
David Bowie and Iman are seen on April 28, 2011 in New York City. Andrew H. Walker—Getty Images
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David Bowie in 2015. Jimmy King
The singer also tells his pen pal his real name, height and birthday. “In answer to your questions, my real name is David Jones and I don’t have to tell you why I changed it,” he wrote. “Thank you for being so kind as to write to me and do please write again and let me know some more about yourself.”