FEEDBACK

Interesting think piece on the theatrical stylings of Lady Gaga, Adam Lambert and Katy Perry (“When Fake Feels Real,” July 12), but I’m still figuring out how Ann Powers managed the trick of getting through an entire article without once mentioning that most theatrical of rock stars and perhaps the biggest common influence on all of them: Freddie Mercury.

Perry has repeatedly cited Queen as one of her earliest musical influences and dressed up in costume as Mercury last Halloween. Lambert borrows at least half his vocal and performing style from Mercury, and performed with Queen’s remaining members on the “American Idol” finale. And Gaga, well, she only named herself after a Queen song.

After all these years, the lack of respect rock critics still show this monumentally influential and beloved band belongs in the Theatre of the Absurd.

Tim Merrill

Hollywood