POPPING BACK : FANS FUME, OTHERS CHEER BRUCE BLAST

In the Popping Off column in the March 15 Calendar, Kristine McKenna aired her negative views on the Bruce Springsteen phenomenon. Here’s a sample of the heavy reader response, which ran roughly 60% to 40% against McKenna’s opinion.

McKenna’s descriptions are perfect, especially the line about “vein-popping bleatings.” Check out his “War” video . . . I can’t watch it, I’m afraid his neck will burst.

I just don’t understand the guy’s popularity. When so many good musicians have so much to say (U2, Peter Gabriel, Dire Straits), where does anyone get off proclaiming the songwriting genius of a guy who grunts “Born in the U.S.A.” 3,648 times in one song?

My theory is that Yuppies see Bruce as a way of staying in touch with their roots.

Thank you, Kristine, for expressing your opinion so well.

AMY GONZALES

Los Angeles