The American Spectator

p> I was sitting in the office when this list came out, idling, waiting for a bit of work, and so had time to glance over this list. Mostly, it sucks. Of course, like navels, everyone has an opinion. Mine? The best rock song EVER is “Rock and Roll” by Led Zep. Best album? “Sticky Fingers” by the Rolling Stones. (I still have the album with the zipper in working order!) But of course, I haven’t listened to anything new in 20 years. br> — Janis Johnson br> Independence, Missouri /p>

Mr. Tucker’s article on Dylan is thoughtful, articulate and unfortunately stuck within the narrow perspective of its subject like a tire stuck in mud.

Face it people, in popular culture the density (intellectual) of the music must match the density (illiteracy) of the audience. As such rock ‘n roll should carry a government warning that states “Contains Only 13% Music”.

In Clint Eastwood’s movie “Bird” there is a scene where Charley Parker slowly walks down the aisle of a theater where his former tenor sax player is jukin’ and jivin’ playin a rock ‘n roll blues to a screaming crowd. This very sad moment signifies the handoff of the baton of popular music from jazz to rock.

p>The average jazz musician’s jock strap couldn’t be carried by the average rock musician. Rock is about sociology, the glorification of the cult of teenage youth. Music’s got nothin’ to do with it. br> — Darrell Judd /p>

William Tucker’s article on Bob Dylan is way off the mark… kind of like music today.

First off, what is the need to politicize this? Rolling Stone came out with a “best of” rock list, relax. Second, Mr. Tucker’s summary of Bob Dylan is much like a song from today’s current bands — WEAK.

For one thing, Bob Dylan has influenced every single worthwhile musician today, namely: Springsteen, The Beatles, U-2, Johnny Cash, Mike Ness and The Clash. Tucker’s comment that Dylan’s music prevents the listener from “dancing to the beat” and employs an “insulting voice” is laughable to say the least. His music isn’t supposed to be danced to and some of the all-time greats had less than stellar voices: Springsteen, Johnny Lee Hooker, Johnny Cash, Joe Strummer.