Has anyone here ever sent a fan letter?

Permalink Reply by entangled on January 17, 2009 at 10:00pm

Okay, okay! I'll admit it! I did write to Phil Collins and ya know what prompted me? In all seriousness, I saw a photograph of him shortly after his last divorce and I got such a "gutt wrenching" twisting kind of feeling which would not leave me for days into the next 2 weeks. I kept looking at it and it really upset me. So, I decided I'd write him a letter reinforcing all he's accomplished with his beautiful children as a wonderful "Pops" as Simon calls him.
I think he appreciated it because 1st. I received a signed in ink (yes! I checked the ink), not pre-printed signature from Annie (Callingham, his Personal Assistant) telling me how lovely my letter was that I wrote to Phil and she'd be sure he receives it. I was stunned!!! Then as time went on, I kinda forgot about the letter I wrote, Annie's personal letter to me, and possibly receiving an actual response from Phil himself?!
One day after a cranky day at work (possibly 2 weeks after Annie's letter), I came home not even wanting to talk to anyone let alone open the infamous mailbox (most likely filled with junk mail and bills). I figured "What the heck? I'll take the mail in." I get into the house, do my usual routine and drop the mail on the counter. Lo & behold, an envelope with Phil's personal letter along with the signed photo slid out when I plopped the mail down. My mood went from cranky to elated in less than 3 seconds!! I opened it up smiling ear to ear. I read his lovely letter to me "thanking me for being so thoughtful and kind to him" and found the autographed photo with just those words written on the corner of the photo!! with "Love Phil" below it!!
I just wrote the letter to cheer him up not expecting a reply. I only hoped he'd read it and feel better and not so hard on himself. So, in turn. I have a rotten day at work only to come home to his letter to me thanking me for being so kind & thoughtful??? I was beside myself.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Tails on January 18, 2009 at 9:45am

Thats so nice what you did for him. And out of kindness you got a reply!!!!!!! I cannot believe you got a reply from PHIL COLLINS!!! You must have really made him happy with your letter. I admit I sent Phil a letter about a month ago (and now I realize how dumb my letter was) but I got neither a reply from Annie or Phil (maybe Annie rejected my letter??), now I'm thinking about writing another letter to him, a good one this time!!! I just think it's amazing that Phil replied to you. How long did it take for Annie to reply after you sent it?

Thanks for your reply, it cheered me up!!! :)))

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by entangled on January 18, 2009 at 11:36am

Thank YOU for the acknowledgement!!
In response to how long it took for Annie Callingham to respond to my letter? I'm going to say 2 months. This was back when "Tarzan" was a few months old on Broadway. I'm thinking it was also around now, after "the holidays". Ya know how everything seems to come to a halt around that time? I think that may have been the hold up on the reply. Like I said, I really did forget about having sent the letter. It was an absolute shock to see a letter from her not to mention from Phil?! Both letters were so sincere & genuine.
I just felt sooo sad when I'd look at that photo of him. I had to write to him from an "outsider's" point of view showing him all the positve things he's done not as a performer but as a Dad. At the end of the day, being a parent myself, you just need the validation you've done the best you could for your kids. Being his children are in different countries and at different ages, the communication has to be extremely difficult at times.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Tails on January 18, 2009 at 11:55am

Yes, it must be hard for him to have his children all over the place. But what was the picture? I mean which one? Maybe could you have it in a reply so i could see it.

Its only been 1 month since i sent my letter but i dont think ill get a reply from Annie. My letter was kind of dumb. But I want to send him another letter that compliments his amazing music, how me and my friends who never got to see him in concert will miss him but we want him to be happy, and how beautiful his kids are, and how he shouldnt pay attention to what his haters say.

Does that sound good??? :D

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by entangled on January 18, 2009 at 6:58pm

Hey There Tails, Wow! You seem so determined! I like that. I don't have the photo anymore. As a matter of fact, when I finally sent the letter it was such a powerful cathartic experience I deleted it. It was a very sad Phil. {pouting}.
On the other hand, if you recently sent a letter, why not wait a while? You may get a response, or "reply" as Squonk Hunter would be delighted to see I wrote that.
Maybe even wait until Spring before you write to him. Who knows? By then he may do something ie:charity work, a new song with powerful lyrics, etc that will be in the media which will motivate you to personally write to him again.
Otherwise, 2 letters in such a short amount of time may not, unfortunately, work in your favour. If you understand what I mean?
Thank you for asking me my opinion. Please remember, that's all it is. It's just my opinion, there are always others who will disagree.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Tails on January 19, 2009 at 9:50am

Awwww, poor Phil =( the picture will probably turn up sometime.
Yeah I'm going to wait a while, but I'm almost certain Annie rejected it. I mean, I asked if it would be ok if he could send a reply, and I think she would reject it if it asked for a response. (I mean, if she rejects letters if they ask for autographs or pictures, then she will most likely reject one that asks for a response.) I'll wait a little while longer and see what happens but I kind of hape she rejected my letter so that way Phil can't see how dumb it was!!!! x_x

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by entangled on January 19, 2009 at 2:13pm

I doubt it was "dumb". You most likely expressed how you felt about his talent, drumming, voice, etc. Please don't be so hard on yourself.
I really think you should wait a few months and write another one again.

▶ Reply to This