Mail from our readers
Dear John
Thank you, Dave Marsh, for taking the time to remember John Lennon
(42, Nov. 30) for us. It is refreshing to read a tribute by someone who
admired Lennon for the music he created and not by someone quick to
criticize a man whom the writer has not even attempted to understand.
We all make our mistakes, we all have our triumphs, we all have our
dreams. With his music and his life, Lennon showed us a little bit
about learning from those mistakes, about trying to get along, and
about making this world a better place to live. Give peace a chance.
Toni A. White
Fort Smith, Ark.
The photos you published of John Lennon were exceptionally
exquisite; I'd never seen any of those particular pictures before. I
adore all your articles about the Beatles. They are well written and
always have clear, vivid, photographs to accompany them.
Amy Fowler
St. Peters, Mo.
John Lennon was one of the greatest personages in pop music. Since
his death 10 years ago, I feel that the world, not just the music
world, has suffered a tremendous blow. It pains me to think what he
might have been capable of had he lived. As for Yoko, I find it hard
to think of anyone else for whom I have as much respect as I do for
that woman. She has endured the greatest tragedy and pain any person
could suffer and turned it to her benefit and the benefit of mankind
by fighting for justice and equality in John's name. Thank you, John.
Thank you, Yoko.
Jeff Reding
Cleveland
You asked ''Why does the world hate Yoko Ono?'' It's simple — Barry
Manilow's fame, or Tiffany's fame, rests with their fans; Yoko's
fame comes from John Lennon's fans. All of Lennon's millions can't
buy any love for Yoko — or any other singer we don't want.
Mike Sakara
Lehighton, Pa.
Your cover story was good except for the piece on Yoko. Is Mim
Udovitch a paid publicist for Yoko? Lennon's best work will always
remain Lennon/McCartney, not Lennon/Ono.
Lynn Walker
Purcell, Okla.
Why should we, as your headline says, ''give Yoko a chance''? Why
do you even suggest that we consider Yoko while we consider Lennon's
music? Lennon's music stands alone without factoring in his personal
life, which was pretty messily public for my taste. I've never had
any interest in Yoko. She is incredibly boring, and her singing is
not worth recording for human consumption.
Thomas Mitchell
Fort Worth
Thank you for your cover story about John Lennon, the greatest
contemporary musician to grace this earth. It's hard to believe it's
been 10 years since I heard Howard Cosell announce Lennon's murder on
ABC-TV's Monday Night Football and felt that horrific numbness.
That's the day I turned from innocent to cynic. That's the day not
only the music — but something inside me — died.
Sherry L. Bale
Chicago
One Last Rocker
Your ''5 Enemies of Rock & Roll'' listing (39, Nov. 9) erroneously
linked the Parents' Music Resource Center to the Peters brothers. We
work closely with the National PTA and the American Medical
Association only. We also stood alongside the record and retail
industry in 1990 to put out the legislative fires in favor of
voluntary labeling, a system that Prince and Cher both praised in
recent interviews. As a frequent concert-goer and former rock & roll
drummer, I am more fan than foe.
Tipper Gore
Parents' Music Resource Center
Arlington, Va.
Ed. Note: Ms. Gore, a cofounder of the Parents' Music Resource Center, fails to note that Why Knock Rock? — a book by Dan and Steve Peters, fundamentalist preachers who stage public burnings of rock recordings — was recommended from 1986 through 1989 by the PMRC's pamphlet Let's Talk Rock: A Primer for Parents. Why Knock Rock? was originally published in 1984 by Bethany House. The 1990 edition of Let's Talk Rock does not include a reading list.
Poem à la mode
Regarding your article on
Milli Vanilli (42, Nov. 30):
Maybe it's me,
But I think it's silly
To make such a fuss
Over Milli Vanilli.
The music's the same,
It's the picture that's not,
So don't get confused
And forget what's what.
Whether it's Rob, or Fab,
Or some other dude,
The music's what matters
And its effect on your mood.
So kick back, listen,
And ignore those dreadlocks,
And simply forget
Two nameless face jocks.
James C. Moore
Houston
