England is a rockin’ place for musicians

Robert HILBURN’S “Are You Ready to Rock?!” [May 22] brought back a flood of wonderful memories of the 12 years I lived and worked as a singer and recording artist in London. Noel Gallagher was right: England’s rain, cold and island isolation have long fostered a culture of introspection and guitarists laboring away at their often-lonely craft.

I would add that Britain’s welfare system plays an enormous role in supporting artists while they learn, work and grow. Artists can live, with their rent or even mortgage paid plus a small biweekly stipend that barely covers the bills.

Hilburn didn’t mention that London has long been the hub of international music. Although Paris is teeming with African, Algerian and Caribbean talent, it was London and its record labels that launched artists such as Youssou N’Dour, Salif Keita, Baaba Maal, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Papa Wemba.

Sometimes I miss London so much: the parks, the humor, the Forum, the mix and glory of it all.

Ashley Maher

Santa Monica