David Bowie’s ‘vulgar sexual reference’ in poem to fan: 'Don't give it away'

The legendary singer first placed in the top five of the UK singles charts with Space Oddity in 1969 and from there went on to forge an illustrious career. After he died from liver cancer four years ago, aged 69, Rolling Stone magazine branded him the “Greatest Rock Star Ever”. The impressive narratives and concepts conjured up by Bowie in his lyrics set him apart from others at the time. However, Express.co.uk were informed of an arguably darker side to one written composure that he gifted to a fan.

Bowie penned the controversial poem for Claudine Pascal, the manager of Chunga King Recording Studios, in New York, in 1999.

The Ziggy Stardust performer had spent four days in the red room studio, when he met the “huge Bowie fan”.

After she read a poem to him, the star penned some literature of his own and signed the piece, which was addressed to “Little Claudine”. 

The written piece recently reemerged as part of the Gotta Have Rock and Roll Auction, which concludes this weekend, where it carries an estimate of $30,000 (£22,500). 

Ms Pascal preserved the note and a “big lock of hair”, which she cleaned-up after Bowie’s stylist gave him a trim. 

During their encounter, she recalled that the star made “a rather sexual reference” – a comment that “threw her for a loop”. 

Bowie’s poem to her read: “Little Cladine, you have a nice talent, don’t rent it or give it away. 

“Don’t tread on it or lose it on the street or ignore it to death but love it as much as life itself and it will be your noblest companion.”

US auction house owner Ed Kosinski recounted that Ms Pascal asked Bowie for an autograph but “the only paper she had was her poetry book”.

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He continued: “Bowie used that as an example but I don’t think it’s literal – he didn’t have a relationship with this girl. 

“He respected her, if he didn’t like her I don’t think he would have written that poem in her poetry book.”

Mr Kosinski noted that the piece is expected to do well under the hammer because of the “very interesting backstory” and that it is accompanied by some of Bowie’s hair.

He told Express.co.uk: “It comes with a large – a rather large lock – of his hair and there are people who just collect hair.

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“I have seen just one strand of Bowie’s hair sell for a great deal of money, let alone a big lock with a couple of thousand strands.” 

The auction will also feature a to-do list from John Lennon, where he penned a note to ask Yoko Ono “something RE FBI” and in brackets stated: “Don’t forget.”

The camera from Marilyn Monroe’s final photoshoot, Eric Clapton’s 1954 Fender Stratocaster and personal Paul McCartney letter will also go under the hammer.

To find out more about Gotta Have Rock and Roll’s recent auction, which concludes this weekend, visit here.

source: express.co.uk