A Rock Revelation?
So Robert Hilburn is telling us that rock has a new passion (“Remember Rock?,” June 30). I am 46 and have seen this cycle before. The only thing stale about rock ‘n’ roll is how record companies do business. They and radio people will give you what they want you to have. Hilburn writes about their product. The bands get a push on TV (the Strokes on “Saturday Night Live”) and in major newspapers and magazines.
Despite what Albert Hammond Jr. of the Strokes says, they are trying to be famous and make money at what they do as well. Members of every one of these bands will be close to 30 in five years. Not what you would call youth-oriented.
Hilburn writes, “The buzz is definitely building.” It sure is, because the people who run the well-oiled machine want it to build. Just ask Clive Davis.
PATRICK K. GALLAGHER
Long Beach
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How appropriate that the same edition of Calendar that features a Hilburn cover story on new bands (the White Stripes, Hives, etc.) should also contain his negative review of the fine new Oasis album.
In a few years, he’ll be dishing out similar reviews to these currently new bands, claiming they’ve lost their passion, while praising the future flavors of the month. Hilburn is the one who has lost something, although being trendy is certainly not it.
RON REEVE
Covina
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Hilburn made it all the way to the second paragraph before pulling up a reference to Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, two war horses who had some truly great records 30 years ago. Enough with the war stories.
I stopped reading articles by Hilburn years ago due to his continual use of dated references to old rock bands and music.
Should every club review have a reference to the Fillmore? In the Food section, is every recipe compared to one from “The Joy of Cooking”? Or every restaurant to Ma Maison? Would you want to read that section if they were?
I have all of my old vinyl, and I saw dozens of great performances in the ‘60s and ‘70s, but if I can see a band at the El Rey without comparing it to the Stones and Stevie Wonder at Winterland (Tuesday, June 6, 1972, $5, no refunds), then so can Hilburn.
SCOTT WALLACE
South Pasadena