Hermione Farthingale
Hermione Farthingale is a British folk singer and actress whose brief but influential career intersected with the formative years of David Bowie. Active during the late 1960s London folk scene, she is best remembered for her role in the acoustic trio Feathers and as the inspiration behind Bowie’s deeply personal song “Letter to Hermione”.
Although she later withdrew from public musical life, Farthingale’s presence left a lasting emotional and artistic imprint on Bowie’s early songwriting, marking one of the most intimate chapters in his pre-fame years.
- Born: United Kingdom
- Active: mid–late 1960s
- Genres: Folk, acoustic
- Known for: Feathers trio, “Letter to Hermione”
Early life and background
Hermione Farthingale emerged from the vibrant British folk revival of the 1960s, a scene that blended traditional ballads with contemporary songwriting. She possessed a clear, delicate vocal style that suited acoustic arrangements and intimate venues, aligning her naturally with the emerging folk-club circuit in London.
Relationship with David Bowie
Farthingale met David Bowie in 1967, during a period when Bowie was searching for artistic direction following the commercial failure of his debut album. Their romantic relationship was intense but short-lived, marked by shared artistic ambitions and contrasting personal goals.
When Farthingale chose to leave England to pursue acting opportunities abroad, Bowie was deeply affected. This emotional rupture directly inspired the song “Letter to Hermione”, one of Bowie’s most vulnerable early compositions, later released on his 1969 album David Bowie (also known as Space Oddity).
Feathers: the acoustic trio (1968)
In 1968, Hermione Farthingale joined Bowie and guitarist John Hutchinson to form the acoustic folk trio Feathers. The group performed harmony-driven material at small venues and BBC sessions, presenting a softer, pastoral contrast to Bowie’s earlier pop experiments.
Feathers represented a transitional phase for Bowie — a moment of introspection and simplicity before his move toward theatricality and rock stardom. For Farthingale, it was her most visible musical project.
Film and acting work
Alongside music, Farthingale pursued acting and appeared in underground and experimental films during the late 1960s. Her artistic interests extended beyond music, contributing to her decision to step away from a recording-focused career.
Withdrawal from the music industry
Unlike many of her contemporaries, Hermione Farthingale chose not to continue in the commercial music world. She gradually withdrew from public life, making her later years largely private.
This absence has only deepened the mystique surrounding her role in Bowie’s early life, positioning her as a quietly pivotal figure rather than a conventional collaborator.
Legacy and significance
Hermione Farthingale’s legacy is not measured in chart success or extensive discographies, but in emotional resonance. Her influence lives on through Bowie’s songwriting, particularly in works that value vulnerability, introspection and emotional honesty.
As such, she remains an essential presence in understanding Bowie’s artistic development during the late 1960s — a reminder that some of the most important collaborations leave behind no contracts, only songs.