Is it "Only Rock 'n' Roll"? (Letters to the Editor).

I am writing in response to the article "Is It 'Only Rock 'n' Roll'?" by Steve Bonta (THE NEW AMERICAN, April 8th issue). I will start off by admitting that Lam biased: Lam young; I am a liberal; and I love rock and roll music. That being said, I would like to state that I was displeased with this article. While all of the contents of the article are true and accurate to some extent, I think that the article generalized rock music to an unfair degree. Certain rock acts can influence listeners in a negative manner, but for every destructive rock act there is another that aims to accomplish nothing short of "the refreshment of the soul." I realize that the objective of this article was not to objectively detail the entirety of rock music, but a clarification that stated "certain factions or types of rock music may be contributing to the degradation of society" would have made for a much more fair assessment.

The biggest problem with this article, however, is the total breakdown of objectivity at its conclusion. Bonta's article was reasonably factual and objective until the concluding paragraph:

Fortunately, a wide variety of genuinely uplifting, edifying music is still available, from the timeless works of the classical masters to the refined rhythms of the Big Band era, the soulful romance of Hit Parade favorites, and many other wholesome genres. Winning the culture war requires us not only to understand the baneful effects of the "diabolical bawling and twanging" of today's popular music but also to seek out the refining and even ennobling influence of music at its best.

In my opinion, this paragraph destroys the credibility of the entire article. The writer's opinion has no place in objective journalism, and its presence conveys to me that the writer has some ulterior motive that he is trying to further. What this says to me is that Steve Bonta doesn't like rock music, so neither should I. Be sure to thank Steve on my behalf for informing me what wholesome music I should be listening to.

JUSTIN BARTLETT

Atlanta, Georgia

Mr. Landower's letter (April 22nd issue) disagreeing with Mr. Bonta's article "Is It 'Only Rock 'n' Roll'?" reminded me of how we tend to defend our beliefs regardless of the facts. Some examples based on my own personal experience are:

In 1959 Castro, "the George Washington of Cuba," was coming to Houston. Two friends tried to show me what someone named Robert Welch had said about Castro's Communist background. I didn't believe them and we almost had a fight. A year later I learned that they were correct and I had been fooled. That began my search for the truth.

In 1961 I was working in California when I was told that the Communists were supporting music that could mesmerize or hypnotize. I argued and the informer took me to two Communist bookstores in Los Angeles. I soon learned that he was correct and that I was again wrong.

In 1967 a drug-using hippie girl just laughed when I said that the song Puff the Magic Dragon was about a little boy and his stuffed pet. She pointed out that "their music" was not written for "you Christians" to understand. All they wanted was our money and our kids.

Just a few days ago I heard some hard rock types on TV talking about the history of rock music. Their comments sounded like Mr. Bonta's article.

BILL BUMGARDNER

Lawrenceville, Georgia

Send your letters to: THE NEW AMERICAN, P.O. Box 8040, Appleton, WI 54912. Or e-mail: [e-mail]. Due to volume received, not all letters can be answered. Letters may be edited for space and clarity.