What would Sid do?

RE Chris Lee’s “Rock for Sale” [July 22]: I wanna cry to the Flaming Lips, the Cure, Dylan “say it ain’t so,” but it’s a moot point now; the incorporation/cooption of rebellious music (the last vestiges of allowable subversive activity within the dominant culture) for advertising purposes has been a long time coming.

What’s sad is that the article left out the fact that it is the very same corporations that squeeze out smaller record labels and monopolize the commercial and noncommercial radio stations (see Urban Outfitters and Toyota’s sponsorship of Free YR Radio on KXLU-FM), who now insist the best way to get exposure is through licensing agreements with faceless monstrosities like McDonald’s (see the Shins).

In an alternate universe, Dylan, Jimmy Page and Devo are on trial for crimes against artistic integrity, presiding judge Cecil B. Demented. Paul McCartney has been de-knighted, and Elvis Costello is forced to be a curator at Graceland. And all the while, Karl Marx is up in commie heaven screaming, “I told you so!” ... wearing Doc Martens, of course.

DAVID SILVA-ESPINOZA

Los Angeles