U2 Good, Not Great

With regard to Robert Hilburn’s review of U2’s concerts at the Coliseum (“Wide-Open Rock With U2,” Nov. 19), I have to reject many of his praises of the band.

U2 is my favorite band, and I respect their talent, their music and their message, and I admire their ability to present it to their audience so brilliantly. However, to state that their recent concerts here were examples of “a few prized moments over the course of rock ‘n’ roll’s first three decades” is going a little bit too far.

In his review, Hilburn says that U2 made the transition from arena to stadium more easily than Springsteen. I was at three of Springsteen’s four concerts at the Coliseum and I also attended U2’s show Nov. 18, and if Hilburn thinks that last week’s shows were more intimate and had the same quality of sound that the Springsteen shows had, then I believe that it is necessary for him to have his ears and eyes checked.

I guess what I’m really trying to say is this: The concerts last week were exciting, the music was enjoyable, and a good time was had by most but, Bob, you’re kidding yourself if you really believe that they “will stand among the great shows in Los Angeles rock history.”

DARREN S. DULLABAUN

Northridge