THE BALLAD OF BRUCE S.

Regarding the cover story on Bruce Springsteen by Robert Hilburn (“Reborn in the U.S.A.,” Jan. 28):

When are you people going to catch on? When Bruce Springsteen signed with giant Columbia Records in the early ‘70s and the big boys wanted him to record with studio musicians instead of his Jersey pals, the future Boss would have none of it. “I don’t want guys with big houses playing on my record,” he said then, a good line that ought to be a lot more embarrassing for him to hear today than Pete Townshend’s famous “Hope I die before I get old” is for the venerable English codger.

And as for clock-punching, truck-driving, forklift-operating me, I’m handing none of my hard-earned dollars over to some phony millionaire mansion dweller and the multinational corporation he’s been in bed with for over 20 years just to hear his fantasies about what it’s like to have a real job.

GEORGE B. WOODS

Los Angeles

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The centerpiece of the article is the city and song “Youngstown” and the devastation wrought on the city by the closing of the steel mills. Although I am a huge Springsteen fan, I cannot help but note the irony that the closing of the steel mills and the consequent devastation of cities like Youngstown and my hometown of Buffalo occurred essentially as a result of the peace dividend and the diminished need to build tanks and planes.

In his “Born in the U.S.A.” blockbuster and in other songs, Springsteen has decried the devastation that the Vietnam War has had on our society. On balance, what is clear is that you cannot always get what you want: War brings a booming economy.

BRADFORD C. AUERBACH

Marina del Rey

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How fitting that Bruce Springsteen receives the cover once again. I’m surprised that the Calendar editors didn’t have Hilburn make a quick side trip to Pittsburgh to interview Donnie Iris (“Ah! Leah!”) or to Cleveland to talk to Wild Cherry (“Play That Funky Music”). I hear more Wild Cherry in clubs and being covered by bands today than the ex-Boss, so why not an update?

Not everyone worships Springsteen and his current direction. Check out his current sales.

DOUG PRIESTAP

Anaheim

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Springsteen is, was and always will be totally unimportant. Kind of like whatever Hilburn writes.

GLENN LANGDON

Garden Grove