Critic Doesn’t Make Their Hall of Fame

Robert Hilburn has sunk to new depths in rock journalism with his latest diatribe against worthy Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Billy Joel (“Listening to the Rock Hall Honorees--Worthy or Not,” Dec. 4).

When Hilburn, a member of the nominating committee, gives a “question mark” to Joel’s credibility, he also questions the majority of the 1,000 industry professionals who voted for him. He brands Joel a “New Yorker,” like it’s some offensive tattoo, and chides him for having “no lasting impact on pop-rock tradition.” Ask Tori Amos or Bruce Hornsby if they were in any way influenced by the Piano Man. Or Marc Cohn. Or Garth Brooks. And why should the spawning of a legion of imitators be the barometer by which artists are judged for this honor?

In stating “all the music that you need” to hear for Joel’s ranking in history is his greatest-hits collection, Hilburn exposes that he is clearly unfamiliar with the best of Joel’s songwriting. In addition to the profoundly affecting “Nylon Curtain,” I suggest he check out the album cuts on “Turnstiles,” “Streetlife Serenade” and 1986’s underrated “The Bridge.” The epic, evocative “Scenes From an Italian Restaurant” alone qualifies him for the Hall of Fame.

The recipient of Billboard’s Century Award, a Congressional Caucus Citation and a Grammy Legend Award, William Martin Joel deserves to stand side by side with Springsteen and McCartney. He is arguably the best solo pop-rock songwriter of our time.

No question mark. Exclamation point. Period.

CHRISTOPHER JOYCE

North Hollywood

In agreeing that Paul McCartney deserves inclusion in the Hall of Fame, Hilburn takes the opportunity to point out that his work is inconsequential compared to John Lennon’s. It would be so easy, so reasonable, to say that they’re both great.

Hilburn parades the lazy common wisdom that Paul was nothing without Lennon as collaborator (when Lennon’s own interviews show that in many of the Beatles’ best albums, he and Paul were effectively writing apart). The best four songs in Paul’s worst album would make the reputation of 99.9% of current and past rock and pop stars.

When McCartney dies, Hilburn will pan the funeral.

T. MERLIN COMPTON

Santa Monica

I disagree with Hilburn’s assessment of Dusty Springfield as being somehow not worthy of being in the Hall of Fame--while Paul McCartney is.

Dusty’s gorgeous voice, her soulfulness, the truth in her work, the remarkable eclecticism of her material and her many great recordings not only merit her inclusion but do honor to the hall.

MICHELE KORT

Venice