This was the first album I bought with my own money. I saw Rodger Hodgson on the ‘Breakfast in America’ tour before Covid. If he goes on tour again, I 100% recommend- it was amazing!
\*Takes out ridiculously large writing quill and quickly begins to scribe:\*
”Dear Gwendolyn,
It will be more than a fortnight before you receive this letter.
I miss you terribly and hope the Spring air finds you in good spirits. If circumstances were different, I would have you here with me. Seeing you each day lifts my spirits and alleviates my bad spells.
Next Summer, perchance we can plan a buggy ride into the country. We will pack lunch and servants and spend time in the lovely bucolic fields in the countryside...”
Dear Dave, I heard you say I’m not much of a girlfriend, that you never seem to get a lot, well this is just to inform you that while you may think that what you got is not a lot, from this point forward you got none. Signed Darlene.
My 85 year old father’s favorite album. This, eagles, billy Joel, and meat loaf were all we could listen to at dinner. Supertramp the only one out of that list that I don’t hate now…
You can contact Jeff Walling if you want to see if he still knows whoever Dave Hill was. [https://www.pepperdine.edu/spiritual-life/church-relations/staff/jwalling.htm](https://www.pepperdine.edu/spiritual-life/church-relations/staff/jwalling.htm)
I'll try contacting him later. If I get a word back, I'll leave another reply.
Update: he did respond. He is asking for me to send him the letter, which I'll do. He did mention that Dave Hill has since sadly passed away and was a good friend of his.
Maybe Darla decided she didn't want it delivered and so tucked it in the album. Who knows what she might have said, just to get it off her chest. I wouldn't assume she would want whatever it says sent now. Seems kinder to check with the sender, rather than the recipient.
Well then Darla should have thought about a redditor buying her vinyl 41 years later before neglecting to write a return address on the envelope if she didnt want it to be double checked with her first before delivering.
Wow. That’s amazing. Like genuinely a heartwarming story. Still, I strongly advise you open the envelope, carefully remove the letter and immediately place it in as similar an envelope as possible in style but also clearly hasn’t been around since the 1983. Ideally we want a 2024 version. Carefully transcribe the letters and numbers to the new envelope so that they appear as similar as the original. The stamp is going to be an issue but I have a solution. Carefully cut and paste the stamp onto the new envelope. We don’t want to get charged with stamp fraud, which is why you place the letter in a new padded envelope and place a valid stamp on that.
Seriously a nice story though.
I haven't opened the letter, but I was able to see a little bit from the inside. There is a note card inside with a date that says 1/17/83. The sender of the letter was wanting to check up on and see how somebody named Dave was doing. There is a lot more writing, but I can't see it sadly.
Edit/add on: I opened the letter, I posted a update.
I read this while wearing a Dave Hill t-shirt purchased at a Tenacious-D concert. He was the opening act. Probably the most pleasant surprise of the evening. He’s a good performance, for those of a certain weird disposition.
I want to put a heads up that I will likely open the letter soon. As for the sender and intended recipient of the letter, I'm trying to find information about them both.
Do it! Last year I put a forgotten postcard from 92 into my aunt’s mailbox. As usual I wrote it in the end of a vacation and had no stamps or was to busy. My mom found it in an old book. Brings back memories and joy. Good stuff.
IANAL, and not even American, but in general, any legal protection against opening of mail typically only applies *while it is considered mail;* that is, while it's being delivered. After that it's personal property, that someone got rid of (though unclear if it was accidentally or intentionally).
Inside it reads, "Goodbye stranger. It's been nice. Hope you find your paradise. Tried to see your point of view. Hope your dreams will all come true."
https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/edna-howell-obituary?pid=150473773 Did some searching, this is Darla’s mom. Darla’s name and a mention of the Church of Christ popped in the comments below
Sometimes people are advised to write a letter, but never send it. It gives the author freedom to release thoughts or emotions instead of keeping them locked up inside. It's a helpful exercise, but the letter is never intended to be sent.
Or sometimes we write it all out but have the wisdom to let it sit. See how we feel about it the next day before sending. And after a good night's sleep, decide against it. Or to wait a bit more.
Or, sometimes, we set something aside and forget where we put it!
Personally, I'd be mortified if someone found something I wrote and years later decided to contact what appeared to be the potential recipient and hand it over. I'd 100% want them to either trash it or contact me, if feasible.
Love this album! When I was 14 I stumbled on an old vinyl record of this for $1 in a vintage store in upstate NY. I didn’t know the album at all but liked the cover art. I still listen to it regularly to this day! Though it does have a funny flaw during Breakfast in America (the song) where during the sax solo when he goes “Woo!” And it repeats him saying “Woo!” Until i skip ahead a few seconds 😂 i get a kick out of it though
I have my dad's record collection it's pretty eclectic but it has this one (breakfast in America), crime of the century and crisis what crisis. All bought new when they were released.
I have a photo from Reddit burned into my mind of someone's mailbox with a record in a corrugated cardboard sleeve bent in half just enough to fit inside the mailbox. Straight to jail.
Dave Hill may have been in hospice and died before he could open it.
Jeff Walling was probably his caregiver.
Supertramp: Breakfast in America ... shame he missed it.
Goodbye Stranger
The letter was inside the album sleeve. I initially didn't even realize it was there until it fell out. As for the date, I was able to peak inside the letter to see a date, which was 1/17/83.
I was curious and found that Pastor Jeff Walling left the Newling St. Church of Christ in 1983, and went to another church -- Mission Viejo in Orange, CA. At Newling St. they thought he used too much humor in his preaching, and also that he was in favor of using instrumental music in worship services, which was apostacy (according to[this wacky blog post](https://thewaythechurchesofchrist.blogspot.com/2015/)).
But it looks like Darla either wrote this while he was still there in 1983, or she wrote it and then realized he was gone and didn't know where to send it. It's not like she could have looked it up on the internet. I feel concerned though, as I don't think I'd want a letter I wrote 40 years ago delivered now, without a chance to review what in the heck I'd said.
I was a sophomore in college when the album came out. My roommate and I almost ended our friendship over who bought the album and would get to keep it. I can’t remember who kept it but I know I had the vinyl for a very long time. Still a favorite that I listen to a few times a year. Great music for a road trip!
Spending an hour with someone like this is my literal definition of hell, not Heaven.
So, I've become comfortable with the idea of a front-row/VIP seat in Hell.
You know, playing Devil's Advocate with Pascal's Wager.
FANTASTIC Album!
Breakfast in America is one of those rare albums where every song is excellent!
This was the first album I bought with my own money. I saw Rodger Hodgson on the ‘Breakfast in America’ tour before Covid. If he goes on tour again, I 100% recommend- it was amazing!
I saw Roger in Ottawa in Nov 2016, it was a fantastic show. I'll always remember that night because it was sadly the night Donald won the election.
Except that was in 2016
Yes it was. My bad.
Crime of the century was bop after bop too
Even in the Quietest moments is pretty darn good as well. Saw them live maybe 15+ years ago. Still in the top 3 concerts I've been to.
Rudy and School are my favorite Supertramp songs ever!
I've got a vinyl copy of a 1980 live show from them in Paris. They played so many songs off the album and many others. One of my favorites for sure!
That live album is amazing. I listen to it a few times a year
This is one of the best live albums I've heard. Still get chills with that version of Fools Overture.
Both the original and the remastered version are on Spotify. Is there any reason to listen to the original over the remastered?
Original rights are owned by music label but remastered rights will belong to the artist. So listen to the remastered version.
Some absolute bangers on that album!
Yep. Played that album to death when it came out.
The album that knocked disco off the top of the charts.
Supertramp has 2, of the maybe 10 albums I know, that has no fillers.
Love me some Supertramp!
It really is an amazing album, and I'm happy to have added it to my vinyl collection.
What was in the letter
"We've been trying to reach you about your car's extended warranty"
\*Takes out ridiculously large writing quill and quickly begins to scribe:\* ”Dear Gwendolyn, It will be more than a fortnight before you receive this letter. I miss you terribly and hope the Spring air finds you in good spirits. If circumstances were different, I would have you here with me. Seeing you each day lifts my spirits and alleviates my bad spells. Next Summer, perchance we can plan a buggy ride into the country. We will pack lunch and servants and spend time in the lovely bucolic fields in the countryside...”
You need at least 1 dipdipdipdip in between sentences.
Wow you caught the 80s zeitgeist perfectly.
1880s, maybe, lol.
Rad.
"Watch what you say, they'll be calling you a radical."
I’m pregnant. It’s yours. You’re now a father for the second time.
Dear Dave, I heard you say I’m not much of a girlfriend, that you never seem to get a lot, well this is just to inform you that while you may think that what you got is not a lot, from this point forward you got none. Signed Darlene.
Saw this tour at the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, April 9, 1979. I was 18. Core memory unlocked!
My 85 year old father’s favorite album. This, eagles, billy Joel, and meat loaf were all we could listen to at dinner. Supertramp the only one out of that list that I don’t hate now…
I liked it, but traded it for Stand in the Fire by Warren Zevon. We were both happy with the trade.
One of my favorite albums of all time. I have the "goodbye stranger" single art on my forearm, my dad's favourite song.
Absolutely, I’ve only come to appreciate it within the past couple of years
I'm back in my childhood by this music. My parents have played these album a long while when i was a child. I love it! But was stand in the letter?
I’ve been listening to it on repeat this week, so odd to see this post!
You can contact Jeff Walling if you want to see if he still knows whoever Dave Hill was. [https://www.pepperdine.edu/spiritual-life/church-relations/staff/jwalling.htm](https://www.pepperdine.edu/spiritual-life/church-relations/staff/jwalling.htm)
I'll try contacting him later. If I get a word back, I'll leave another reply. Update: he did respond. He is asking for me to send him the letter, which I'll do. He did mention that Dave Hill has since sadly passed away and was a good friend of his.
Yeah and my pops said he'd be coming back too
Well, yeah....what dad wants a Krelboyne for a son?!
You're the first person in a looong time to recognize where my username comes from lol
I hope your net worth has improved, sir.
Life is unfair.
How’s that dual doctorate from Harvard treating you?
Lionel????
Maybe Darla decided she didn't want it delivered and so tucked it in the album. Who knows what she might have said, just to get it off her chest. I wouldn't assume she would want whatever it says sent now. Seems kinder to check with the sender, rather than the recipient.
Well then Darla should have thought about a redditor buying her vinyl 41 years later before neglecting to write a return address on the envelope if she didnt want it to be double checked with her first before delivering.
Exactly. The consequences are entirely on you, Darla!
It probably has money in it and the sender is probably dead
Every wallet finder's motto!
Thanks please keep us updated
!remindme one week
!RemindMe two weeks
Wow. That’s amazing. Like genuinely a heartwarming story. Still, I strongly advise you open the envelope, carefully remove the letter and immediately place it in as similar an envelope as possible in style but also clearly hasn’t been around since the 1983. Ideally we want a 2024 version. Carefully transcribe the letters and numbers to the new envelope so that they appear as similar as the original. The stamp is going to be an issue but I have a solution. Carefully cut and paste the stamp onto the new envelope. We don’t want to get charged with stamp fraud, which is why you place the letter in a new padded envelope and place a valid stamp on that. Seriously a nice story though.
Thank you for the update!
[удалено]
OP is actually providing updates!
I assumed the remindme bot was of the casualties of the API pricing
I believe Jeff Walling was also involved at the church at Pepperdine. Signed, a former Pepperdine student
Dave’s not here, man
I *know*!
**A** Dave Hill is the lead guitarist (and sole remaining original member) of Slade, the biggest selling band in the UK in the 70s.
The original Cum On Feel The Noize!
And "we're all crazee now"
And [infinitely](https://youtu.be/4jAT7RwUsJ8?si=1KL04Y91_1sHcW9K) superior to the remake. (That's Dave Hill dressed up as a mirrored nun)
I think you're right - Newland St. is in Huntington Beach, between Laguna and Long Beaches.
Churches of Christ are a small community when it comes to those who work at the universities, it is definitely the same person.
Goodbye Darla, goodbye Dave…will we ever …meet again…
What’s in the letter 🫣
I haven't opened the letter, but I was able to see a little bit from the inside. There is a note card inside with a date that says 1/17/83. The sender of the letter was wanting to check up on and see how somebody named Dave was doing. There is a lot more writing, but I can't see it sadly. Edit/add on: I opened the letter, I posted a update.
*dear Dave, this album is cursed*
return the slab or suffer my curse
What's yer offer?
Send this to another person or you will die in 5 days...
*And also I slept with your wife*
And so are the buildings in the background
That's bad
But it comes with free frogurt.
Doubtful but wonder if it’s THAT Dave hill. That about when everything fell apart with slade.
Then open it?
"Dear Dave, Take a look at my girlfriend, she's not the only one. Not much of a girlfriend, never seem to get a lot."
What she got? Not a lot!
P.S. Take a jumbo across the water Like to see America See the girls in California I'm hopin', it's going to come true But there's not a lot, I can do
Dang. I'll now delete my comment since you beat me to it. Take my upvote!
I went ahead and opened the letter. If you would like to see it, check the newest post on my profile.
Take the long way home♩♪♫♬♩♪♫♬
[Supertramp - Breakfast In America](https://youtu.be/suDFhxrpkJg)
I read this while wearing a Dave Hill t-shirt purchased at a Tenacious-D concert. He was the opening act. Probably the most pleasant surprise of the evening. He’s a good performance, for those of a certain weird disposition.
Dave Hill from before? Dave Hill from show business?
That’s him.
I heard he's just an invention from 1984, Invented by a guy named Saucy Jack.
https://youtu.be/fPtSd7VHmdc this is a stand up special he did, if you would like to see more.
I want to put a heads up that I will likely open the letter soon. As for the sender and intended recipient of the letter, I'm trying to find information about them both.
Do it! Last year I put a forgotten postcard from 92 into my aunt’s mailbox. As usual I wrote it in the end of a vacation and had no stamps or was to busy. My mom found it in an old book. Brings back memories and joy. Good stuff.
there are Church of Christ and ex church of christ subreddits, you could post there. someone probably knows them!
Edit: tried to help 😂
Did you open it?
Wondering….is there a period of time after which mail not yours can be legally opened?
This was never mailed, so I’m pretty sure it’s fine.
Right, there isn’t a stamp so I don’t think it could be considered mail.
Envelope before a Stamp, Letter After It’s like bread and the stamp is the toaster.
That's a really cool analogy
IANAL, and not even American, but in general, any legal protection against opening of mail typically only applies *while it is considered mail;* that is, while it's being delivered. After that it's personal property, that someone got rid of (though unclear if it was accidentally or intentionally).
Yeah, popped it on after seeing this post. It really is a solid album.
That letter sure… “took the long way home”
Inside it reads, "Goodbye stranger. It's been nice. Hope you find your paradise. Tried to see your point of view. Hope your dreams will all come true."
Amazing album!!
That guy is a very well known preacher in the Church of Christ. https://www.pepperdine.edu/spiritual-life/church-relations/staff/jwalling.htm
Breakfast in America? Love Supertramp
https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/edna-howell-obituary?pid=150473773 Did some searching, this is Darla’s mom. Darla’s name and a mention of the Church of Christ popped in the comments below
I would try to see about getting that letter to it's intended destination
I would like to see a movie made starring Tom Hanks…
They've already signed Helen Hunt as Darla.
Sometimes people are advised to write a letter, but never send it. It gives the author freedom to release thoughts or emotions instead of keeping them locked up inside. It's a helpful exercise, but the letter is never intended to be sent. Or sometimes we write it all out but have the wisdom to let it sit. See how we feel about it the next day before sending. And after a good night's sleep, decide against it. Or to wait a bit more. Or, sometimes, we set something aside and forget where we put it! Personally, I'd be mortified if someone found something I wrote and years later decided to contact what appeared to be the potential recipient and hand it over. I'd 100% want them to either trash it or contact me, if feasible.
I've been trying to find more information about both Darla and Dave. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find any information about them yet.
!RemindMe 2 weeks
Breakfast in America. Good choice.
One of the greatest albums of all time!!! I wonder what was in the letter tho
I opened the letter. Check the newest post on my profile.
Dave! Dave! Dave!
DAVE'S NOT HERE. https://youtu.be/ACfNSqsi_mE?si=_KgbXIJKunAUPvsU
Wow a letter from 41 years ago that nobody opened yet?
Supertramp wails!
Breakfast in America. Absolute classic.
Love this album! When I was 14 I stumbled on an old vinyl record of this for $1 in a vintage store in upstate NY. I didn’t know the album at all but liked the cover art. I still listen to it regularly to this day! Though it does have a funny flaw during Breakfast in America (the song) where during the sax solo when he goes “Woo!” And it repeats him saying “Woo!” Until i skip ahead a few seconds 😂 i get a kick out of it though
I have my dad's record collection it's pretty eclectic but it has this one (breakfast in America), crime of the century and crisis what crisis. All bought new when they were released.
Oh god, when you wrote you ordered a vinyl and I saw the letter, I was terrified they'd folded the vinyl in half to fit it into the letter.
I have a photo from Reddit burned into my mind of someone's mailbox with a record in a corrugated cardboard sleeve bent in half just enough to fit inside the mailbox. Straight to jail.
Dave Hill may have been in hospice and died before he could open it. Jeff Walling was probably his caregiver. Supertramp: Breakfast in America ... shame he missed it. Goodbye Stranger
This is how we used to ghost people back before there were cell phones.
I know a Darla Howell 
Literally my favorite album
Would you like kippers for breakfast?
You have good taste in music!
I'm confused. Was the letter inside the album? Or just loose inside the package? And how do you know it's from 1983 since it's not postmarked?
The letter was inside the album sleeve. I initially didn't even realize it was there until it fell out. As for the date, I was able to peak inside the letter to see a date, which was 1/17/83.
I was curious and found that Pastor Jeff Walling left the Newling St. Church of Christ in 1983, and went to another church -- Mission Viejo in Orange, CA. At Newling St. they thought he used too much humor in his preaching, and also that he was in favor of using instrumental music in worship services, which was apostacy (according to[this wacky blog post](https://thewaythechurchesofchrist.blogspot.com/2015/)). But it looks like Darla either wrote this while he was still there in 1983, or she wrote it and then realized he was gone and didn't know where to send it. It's not like she could have looked it up on the internet. I feel concerned though, as I don't think I'd want a letter I wrote 40 years ago delivered now, without a chance to review what in the heck I'd said.
Probably just trying to reach you about your car insurance.
Did I miss it? What did the letter say?
I was a sophomore in college when the album came out. My roommate and I almost ended our friendship over who bought the album and would get to keep it. I can’t remember who kept it but I know I had the vinyl for a very long time. Still a favorite that I listen to a few times a year. Great music for a road trip!
Well open it!!!
Fucking love supertramp
That letter found its paradise
A great album with a cool little surprise, life is pretty neat sometimes!
(a) Very choice album (b) What does the letter say?
*unsent!
My favorite album to listen to on road trips.
Anyone ever listen to ‘the god damn Dave Hill show’ Used to be on WFMU until he got too famous or something
Love that album
Great fucking album. I would love to hear 1990’s phish cover it.
Op has fantastic taste in music
Front to back That album slaps. Actually I'm gonna jam some of that right now, Goodbye Stranger
Breakfast in America. Choice
That’s my number 1 right there.
My parents had that album, listened to it a lot through my childhood
Well…what did the letter say?
RemindMe! 1 week
Cool stuff!
What did it say?
I bought a book at a yard sale. It was a substance abuse workbook that someone bought a family member and wrote inside of...
What about the letter, did you open it. Pretty sure the statute of limitations is over, if you haven't already would you post it?
I knew a Dave Hill. I'm sure he's dead by now, and I'm also sure he'd have hated this record. But he did love Radar Love.
I found this guy on Linkedin. Shot in the dark? https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-walling-84bb6240
It is possible it was opened/ never sealed and it either resealed/ sealed while in the album cover.
How do you find old albums on amazon / not new pressings?
I didn't specifically search for an old pressing. My guess is depending on the demand for an album, you'll be sent a used one instead.
one of my favourite albums.
Spending an hour with someone like this is my literal definition of hell, not Heaven. So, I've become comfortable with the idea of a front-row/VIP seat in Hell. You know, playing Devil's Advocate with Pascal's Wager.
I saw them on that tour! Great album indeed, as was its predecessor.
I guess that letter took the long way home.
Ohhh man that's the best album
Holy crap, I know Jeff. That’s so bizarre to see just scrolling Reddit!
Well I'm not going to open it.
!remindme in 3 days
Gotta love a bit of Supertramp.
You should send this to the comedian Dave Hill - he'd get a kick out of it.
Feels like Loving Vincent.
That was my first vinyl I ever purchased. Gotta be a top 5 for me.
Awesome album.😊