The Region - News from Feb. 8, 1985

A man seeking a position as a drummer in a rock band faces a criminal charge for allegedly mailing a phony bomb to rock star David Bowie to get the singer’s attention. George Simpson of Berkeley has pleaded not guilty to a single felony count of mailing a facsimile bomb, a spokesman for the Los Angeles district attorney’s office said. He faces a Feb. 13 preliminary hearing. Simpson allegedly mailed the phony bomb to the offices of Bowie’s record company, EMI America Records, on Sunset Boulevard. Also inside the package were a manuscript and a rambling letter, signed by Simpson, asking Bowie for a job as a drummer and urging the musician to read the manuscript. The package listed Simpson’s name and return address.