Hi y’all,

Well, I know you’re all waiting to hear when "Spirit in the Sky" is going to be released. At the moment I’m really hoping that it will be before Christmas, but it’s hard to say for sure.

We still have the final mixing to do, but so far I’m really pleased with the way it sounds.

By the time you read this I’ll have long hair again!!! I hope you’ll be pleased to hear that I’m having the dreads all put back in – I felt it was time for another change. I spent a few days in London recently. It was great to be hone for a while, tho I’m very happy with my life in New York. I’m living right next door to John Taylor of Duran/Power Station, and we’re becoming really good friends. We’re planning to work together soon.

Please keep writing to me – even tho I’m so far from London, your letters do still reach me – it just takes a little longer – and I’m always interested to read what you have to say.

I do appreciate your support and faith in me – I really want to make you proud of me.

Thank U 4 your love,

Love + kisses,

MARILYN

Hi Folks!

MARILYN has told you that he was in London for a short time in September, and it was wonderful to see him again. I was finally able to hand over all of your presents that I’d been keeping for him – it was like Christmas morning in his flat that day! He loved them all.

Whilst I was with him, MAZ played me his un-mixed tape of Spirit in the Sky and I was most impressed. It’s very Gospel and very exciting. I can’t wait for you all to be able to hear it – I promise you won’t be disappointed.

Finally, I so much want to thank all of you for being such wonderful people. I get so many letters saying such kind things about the Club and me. I really do try very hard to run the Club well for you, and it makes me so happy to hear that you appreciate what I’m doing.

Thank you for taking such active part in all the competitions and so on – it’s your enthusiasm that makes the Newsletter the full and fun-packed read that it’s become.

You really are the best Fans in the world – but then, you’re MARILYN’s fans, so what more needs to be said!

Love,

Valerie

P.S. MAZ phoned last night and mentioned that he now may not put the dreadlocks back in his

hair, so we’ll all just have to wait and see!

"Marion took me to a club called Watersplash when I was 14, and that was great after years of people calling me a tosser and a queer and a bender – it was like God giving me a Golden Fleece. And I used to really fancy this Marion, too"

"I love England, but in New York they’re giving me a chance. That’s important because I want my fans in England to be proud of me. I’ve decided to concentrate on New York for a while until I’ve achieved something in America and I have something to bring back to England, rather than just myself. It’s important to me that I bring some success back with me."

"I think fear’s a ridiculous emotion. Don’t fear anything."

"Baby U Left Me is about a love affair I had with someone for two years, and I started taking them out to parties and things, and unfortunately the parties and other stuff became more important than me. It was a horrific experience for me to watch, but the song is – fuck you! Look what you missed, arsehole."

"I flirt like mad if I find someone attractive. Chatting people up is tremendous fun – a lovely little game. But that next step is crucial and I don’t take it easily. For me to have sex with someone, I have to be 100 percent in love with them. And they have to be faithful, that’s essential."

"Perhaps people will like me one day – I’m not taking my make-up off though!"

I was so glad my friend Jeanne had flown up from Florida; not only so I might have someone with whom I could share the experience, but also as proof that it had indeed taken place.

The next morning as I burrowed out from underneath my covers, I mumbled, "We did see MARILYN at the Palladium last night, didn’t we?"

"Mm-hmm"

"Good," I smiled. I dropped my head into my pillow and recalled the night.

After seemingly endless hours of waiting, 2.00 AM rolled around and MARILYN appeared. The instant he walked onstage, my feet stopped aching, my eyelids sprung open, and I’m certain my jaw hit the floor, though I didn’t feel a thing.

He leaned forward to take hold of the microphone and I noticed the sides of his head were shaved. For some odd reason, the now exposed vein on either side of his head fascinated me – what isn’t fascinating about MAZ? – but another part of his anatomy quickly caught my attention, and held it throughout the song.

His shredded jeans had two strategically placed rips that allowed me to cast my adoring gaze upon his behind each time he passed by. When he turned around I was able to peer up another tear in front and behold his navy-blue skivvies. As perverse as this may be, I’m sure anyone else in my position would have been as equally engrossed as I. Jeanne was.

So, I happily continued leering at his loin until he leaned over Jeanne to accept some cards being poked at him from the audience. As he did, I scanned the hundreds of button badges that bedecked his white denim jacket. One bright yellow one with four pink letters stood out. My eyebrows shot up when I read it, and remained raised when he slipped out of his jacket to reveal a slightly tattered, white sequinned top, and his bare midriff. MARILYN in the flesh! And how.

Because of all these welcome distractions, I must confess I didn’t catch too many lyrics. However, I’ve been informed that our beloved MAZ sang "Spirit in the Sky", his forthcoming single.

We were permitted one final glimpse about one-half hour later when he led the crowd in a verse of "Happy Birthday" to Boy George. By then he had changed into blue sweatpants and a yellow tank top with # 32 emblazoned in front. Shortly thereafter, Jeanny, my father and I departed. (Yes, you read correctly. My father came too!)

I felt so much like Cinderella: getting all dressed up, attending a special event, seeing my Prince Charming. Only one thing was missing.

"Jeanne, I should have thrown my shoe at him!"

She understood, and we both laughed.

CHRISTA

Dear MAZmail,

As an American fan of MARILYN, it is very hard to find his records here, and impossible to get the latest news on him. That’s why the Fan Club and Newsletters are so important to us. At least, we finally have the chance to buy MARILYN’s records and receive the latest news on him!

The MAZ magic is slowly being spread in America too. MARILYN still has a long way to go to be well known in America, but he will be soon! With his talent and great looks, America can’t help but fall at his feet! I already have!

Thanks,

LISA MASSIE, Kentucky, USA

Dear disheartened MAZ fans,

When "Baby U Left Me" did not reach the very biased Radio One charts, I resorted to listening to the local Liverpool charts from Radio City. As some consolation to all the loyal fans of MARILYN, "Baby U Left Me" reached number nine in these charts!…

Love,

MAZ (no, not that one) Widnes, nr. Liverpool

Dear Valerie,

… I couldn’t believe it when I saw MARILYN at Culture Club’s NEC concert in December ’84. He looked fantastic. I screamed and blew kisses as he walked by. I was amazed to see the whole of the NEC stand up and cheer for him. You see, all of us CC fans love him dearly…

Yours sincerely,

MICHELLE KELLY, Coventry

Dear MAZmail,

… "Despite Straight Lines" is brilliant!!! One big kiss to our hero, even though he’s in New York. Hurry on home – it isn’t the same without you!

Luv,

DAWN "BUBS" STEVENS, Scunthorpe

"I am NOT gay!!"

"I’ve had my sheets on my bed for six months and I’ve not changed them. Many things have happened in that bed, so they’re very dear to me. I’m going to take them off and put them in the cupboard and keep them. I don’t want to ever change them or wash them – it’s fabulous."

Q: Is there anything you’d hate to live without?

A: My brain and my friends.

Q: Who in your opinion most deserves a good kick up the backside?

A: 99.9% of the population.

Q: Have you ever written a fan letter to someone? Who?

A: Yes, to David Cassidy.

Q: Have you ever had to run away from someone? What was it all about?

A: I had to run to LA from New York to escape the Mafia.

Q: What is your favourite way of spending an evening?

A: Getting really out of it.

"I like feeling happy more than feeling said, but when I feel sad, it reminds me I’m still a person."

"My fantasy would be to be in Jamaica, have a nice dinner and then to go down to the beach nude and have it off on the beach. I’d be with someone I really love. I’d be drinking white wine and Pimms, and listening to Bobby Womack."

I tried to read your letter

But the tears began to show

I wish I could find the words

So I could beg you not to go

I’ve never had a feeling

Like the one I have today

I always thought that you’d be here

And never go away

Please come home soon sweet MARILYN

From far across the sea –

Until you do, America

Please look after him for me!

Love, TINA BATE

I wish I were your lipstick

Then I could touch your lips

But I’d rather be your underpants

Snuggled round your hips…

I wish I were your pillow

I’d help you rest your head

But I’d rather be your duvet

And lie on you in bed…

I wish I were your teddy-bear

You’d cuddle me so tight

But I’d rather be your boyfriend

Then I’d hunch you all night…

However hard I wish, I know

These wishes can’t come true

So I’ll cry myself to sleep, dear MAZ

And dream that I’m with you

Love, GEE

"Making "Baby U Left Me" was a traumatic, tense week of my life. Whenever I play it, I remember what I had to go through to get that sound, and that’s what makes me like it. I did it. And I’m proud."

Dreams they never cease to linger

Could be more than fortune finder

thinks to know

Melodies I cannot sing

Memories that used to bring you

closer to me

Third eye, Third eye. Third eye

Do you know I cannot say

Words won’t come from yesterday

I can’t reply

As your find your newfound friend

This is where it has to end

I don’t deny

Third eye, Third eye, Third eye

So I go on

Taking my strength from the planet

as it spins on so strong

There’s a delay of my mind and body

Prices to pay, yeah

Dreams they never cease to linger

Could be more than fortune finder

thinks to know

Melodies I cannot sing

Memories that used to bring you

closer to me

So I go on

Taking my strength from the planet

as it spins on so strong

There’s a delay of my mind and body

Prices to pay, yeah

And I’m positive you’re gonna stay

Don’t take away my hope someday

I don’t rely upon in though

Take my soul and feel it

Now I don’t want to say goodbye

You and I can try again

I don’t rely upon your soul

‘Cos you and I could feel so good

And I, I, I, my soul does cry

"My first unusual item of clothing was a green skirt I stole off my mother when I was eight. I hid it under some clothes in the airing cupboard and I used to wear it when she went out"