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Original Rejection Letters to Superstars early in their Careers

 

There was a time before the likes of U2, Andy Warhol, and Madonna were universally known, a time when they were still struggling to find any recognition for their work.

U2, rejected by RSO Records, 1979 (We have listened with careful consideration, but feel it is not suitable for us at present. We wish you luck with your future career.)

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Andy Warhol, rejected by The Museum of Modern Art, 1956 (The Committee decided, after careful consideration, that they ought not to accept it for our Collection. P.S. The drawing may be picked up from the Museum at your convenience.)

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Sylvia Plath, rejected by The New Yorker, 1962 (We like the second section of AMNESIAC very much, but cannot see any relation between it and the first section. Perhaps we are being dense.)

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Madonna, rejected by Millennium Records, 1981 (The only thing missing from this project is the material. I did not like “Love On The Run” at all. I do not feel that she is ready yet.)

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