Pop Picks

In regard to the “L.A.’s Rock Revival” articles (Aug. 22), specifically Robert Hilburn’s “Paint It Back” introduction, it seems shocking what is considered to be L.A. music.

It’s one thing to include such Orange County acts as No Doubt and the Offspring, who indeed have been part of the Southern California scene and whose home club circuit would include L.A., but to stretch it so far as to have to mention Alanis Morissette and Limp Bizkit because they have bought homes here is really pushing it.

To throw these names in with the other truly deserving acts, such as Beck, and at the expense of such artists as Sparks, which have been (and still are) at the cutting edge of L.A. music for almost 30 years, seems a little unfair, and certainly not needed to spice up the list.

ADAM WEISSLER

Entertainment Producer

KCBS-TV, Los Angeles

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The “Hotel California’s VIP List: Calendar Picks the Best of L.A. Rock” makes an unforgivable omission: Leaving Linda Ronstadt’s name out of a ‘70s list that includes Joni Mitchell (not really rock), Van Halen (huge-selling band who influenced nobody) and Tom Waits (wonderful, if, obscure cult singer-songwriter-actor) is an act of insensitivity, if not downright stupidity.

Linda is a woman who can rock as hard as anyone, who can sing better than most anyone, and whose integrity has never been questioned. And did you forget that the Eagles were originally her backup band?

Wake up, guys! Give the Queen of Country Rock her props, or kiss any credibility you might have goodbye.

JOHN BOYLAN

Los Angeles

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Calendar’s list is incomplete since it does not include one of the most prominent and influential musicians to come out of L.A.: Jackson Browne. His body of work over the last almost-30 years can be matched by few artists of his time. He has influenced so many other recording artists . . . and so many of them have recorded his songs.

STEVE FRIEDENTHAL

Northridge

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You’re giving L.A. rock short shrift in the ‘60s category if you don’t include several influential psychedelic bands. Although Southern California never generated the hoopla of the Bay Area, the groups below (at least, the first two) nonetheless had sizable followings and record sales:

* Spirit (with Jay Ferguson and the late Randy California): Their “12 Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus” LP was hailed as one of the top albums of the era by various critics.

* Arthur Lee & Love, who--among many other accomplishments--first popularized “Hey Joe.”

* Kaleidoscope, arguably the first “world music” band, with guitar god David Lindley playing Turkish ouds and other strange stringed things.

PATRICK HUDSON

New York

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Seeing as the Offspring don’t actually write quality melodies but rather steal them, was it wise for Dexter Holland to call the English dance music scene “rubbish”?

It would would seem to me that a few spins of the Stone Roses’ LP, a pedestal bettered by no one, could provide his lot with an album or two of material.

STUART NEELING

Irvine

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If Steve Hochman is going to extensively quote Taime Downe and earmark him as a seminal figure in the ‘80s L.A. Strip metal/glam scene and the current resurgence of rock in L.A., the very least he can do is spell Downe’s name correctly and get the pronunciation right.

It’s pronounced “tay me” as in “Tame Me Downe.” You know, because he’s so wild.

GAIL WORLEY

New York