BREWPUBLICITY

I have served as Stan Ridgway’s personal manager for over seven years and, contrary to last Sunday’s Pop Eye, Mr. Ridgway was never “thrilled” to be selected as part of Zima’s “Bold New Taste--Bold New Band” ad campaign. In fact, he had no wish to be associated in any way with this product. Period.

Mr. Ridgway has always believed that his personal integrity as an artist is his most precious commodity, and over his 15-year career he has turned down numerous offers for various corporate offers and/or sponsorships.

Mr. Ridgway is appalled by the implied association to this product, and he hopes his impending legal action will assist in preventing large corporations from exploiting the reputation of artists and musicians under the guise of “free publicity.”

CHRIS LAMSON

Long Arm Talent, Los Angeles

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I want to thank Coors Brewing Co. and the L.A. Weekly for their unauthorized endorsement of Stan Ridgway and his band Drywall in their recent “advertorial” for Zima Gold.

Ridgway’s music is dark, disturbing, cynical and a bit paranoid. It’s full of twisted hustlers and successful scam-artists, dubious motives, unscrupulous behavior and shady handshakes between dark forces.

By using Ridgway and Drywall without permission to sell the Almighty Alcohol, Coors-Zima and the Purveyors of Hip at the Weekly have not only validated Ridgway’s sardonic vision of the world, but also fueled him with inspiration for lots more great music.

RANDALL JAHNSON

Westwood

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What?! Stan Ridgway doesn’t want to be associated with a product designed solely to lure unsophisticated young palates into the pleasures of alcohol overconsumption? Go figure.

LARRY GRENNAN

Los Angeles