DAVID LEE’S BOY

I have a few questions for Terry Atkinson (Record Rack, July 6). First off, just how much payola was involved for you to be so duped into thinking that David Lee Roth’s “Eat’em & Smile” was worth more than the vinyl it’s pressed on?

“5150” is classic Van Halen, even without Roth. Eddie and the guys do what they do best: Play Van Halen. Roth, on the other hand, continues his musical career after a short absence (what happened to the movie, Dave?) without the best people in the driver’s seat.

Just think, if “Eat’em & Smile” bombs on the rock charts, it can always crossover to the contemporary (KJOI) stations. With garbage like “I’m Easy,” the 45-year-olds-and-up should eat Roth alive.

ROY E. MacKINNON

Euphoria Records store

Malibu