Ludovic Hunter-Tilney is mistaken when he states that David Bowie added a new opening line and altered the lyrics to Jacques Brel’s “My Death” (Pop, Life & Arts, FT Weekend, February 8) for a performance of the song during his Ziggy Stardust “retirement” London concert in 1973.
Bowie sings the “My Death” lyrics exactly as they were written for the 1968 off-Broadway musical Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris — the original cast recording of which Bowie included in a 2003 listing of his 25 all-time favourite albums.
Tris Penna
London W1, UK