Sinatra No Rocker? So?

It bothered me to read that Frank Sinatra and his lack of a rock connection was an issue either to Robert Hilburn or to readers who used his remark as an opportunity to attack rock music as a form (Saturday Letters, May 23).

I love Sinatra and I love rock ‘n’ roll. It is one of the insanities of the artistic world that people expect great artists to be equally great no matter what the form. Sinatra was the greatest at what he did. He could never sing like Robert Plant (of Led Zeppelin) nor could Plant sing like he did. Why would we devalue either as a result? And why must rock be deemed to be dreck or standards old junk just because people have preferences?

Greatness is rare enough. Why taint it by demanding more?

DAVID POLAND

Los Angeles

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It was opening day, Dodgers versus Astros at Chavez Ravine. Don Sutton starting, don’t recall the Astro pitcher.

The Chairman of the Bored was on hand to do the national anthem honors. To be charitable, the rendition was passable. Until:

“Oh say does that,” yada yada yada, then, “O’errrrrrcroakcroakcroak.” “The Voice” had clearly lost it.

Half the packed stadium, including yours surly, erupted in gales of laughter. So loud that the closing notes were virtually drowned out. When the anthem ended, the laughter turned to booing. The Dodgers were lined up on the third base line. Tommy Lasorda (friend of Sinatra) did not flinch, but some of the Dodger players exchanged smirking glances.

Sutton gave up a leadoff homer in the first, but the Dodgers went on to win.

Whenever I need a good laugh, I thank Frank.

You could look it up.

PATRICK GALLIGAN

Ventura

Editor’s note: We did. It was 1977 versus the Giants.

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On May 16, Calendar reprinted Frank Sinatra’s heartfelt 1991 article about the ideals of equality in America, and pointed out that the anti-discrimination short subject “The House I Live In” won a special Oscar.

The 1945 film is based around the song of the same name, written by composer Earl Robinson (“Joe Hill,” “Ballad for Americans”) and lyricist Lewis Allan, nom de plume of Abel Meeropol. Allan is also well-known for the anti-lynching song “Strange Fruit.” He and his wife, Anne, adopted the two sons of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg after their execution in 1953.

Earl Robinson’s autobiography, “Ballad of an American,” appeared posthumously earlier this year, published by Scarecrow Press. I am honored to be its co-author.

ERIC A. GORDON

Venice