Placing the Blame for the Condition of Rock ‘n’ Roll

Calendar received nearly 40 letters on Robert Hilburn’s July 15 cover story, “Is Rock Running on Empty?” Here are seven in addition to the dozen published July 22.

Blaming rock’s bankruptcy of originality on radio programmers and a complacent audience missed the mark like a Gerald Ford golf shot. The blame rests on the record companies and their A&R; people.

These “fat cats” have ridden the crest of rock’s monetary success for years by perpetuating clones of the latest fad. As soon as a label comes out with a new artist, every other label’s A&R; robots go out and sign a similar act in an effort to stay “current.” No wonder the poor radio programmers have changed FM radio from what once was a mecca of musical originality into a Top 20 joke! And as for MTV programming, ditto!

JOSEPH NICOLAU

San Diego