David Bowie

Early four-page handwritten letter by David Bowie, to fellow musician Dick Jones, 1969.

• David Bowie is writing about the possibility of Dick’s group, Drama Band, performing at the Three Tuns Pub at a concert organized by the Beckenham Arts Lab, the collective in which David was heavily involved with during his early career.
• David Bowie's phone number, name and home address at the top of the first page.

Highlights from the letter

DICK, 

Firstly this is to confirm that we wish you to appear at the Three Tuns, BECKENHAM HIGH ST. on Aug 3rd somewhere between the hours of 7:30 and 10:45 for a duration of anything you like but for not less than ¾ of an hour.

I’m really looking forward to seeing your band, unless I’m mistaken we should have a very happy constructive evening with interplay from both sides.

So as not to stamp on the toes of “Catalyst” we would steer away from mass agency concepts ie not have 3000 blues-groups on books. We would concentrate only on music/visual/oral – activity media.

Your ideas please

Yours in Dharma

Bowie

Headed paper isn’t printed yet? Next week maybe! Oh! And a S.E. underground paper.

If you wanted any details of the Lab, please don’t hesitate to ask. We have a million and 1 things going SUCCESSFULLY. I may sound over-opt on things but it’s because I’m so excited by what’s happening down here. Dig?