NOTES FROM THE UNDERGROUND

LETTERS

Rocking in the trenches; Mr. Hitchens comes to America; J.Lo overflow; the Brit parade; Costello's in the house; rock snobs take on Dolly Parton and Rosanne Cash

WAS TOO YOUNG to hit the clubs, but I "Rebel Nights" [by Lisa Robinson, November] made me feel as if I were I right there in the trenches when Lou Reed, Iggy Pop, Television, Blondie, I the Ramones, and the New York Dolls were saving rock from itself. Thank God Lisa Robinson held on to all of her notes— the world's a better place for it.

EARL DOUGLAS New York, New York

I FELT VERY NOSTALGIC reading Lisa Robinson's article on the New York punkglitter scene of the 70s. Back then we took for granted that a night at Max's Kansas City or CBGB's would be a thrilling, raw night of rock 'n' roll. What do our children have to listen to today but polished, poppy, studio-created performers and songs? I am glad to see groups such as the Strokes and the Hives make it, to remind us that this kind of music will never die. Otherwise, I can only imagine what Johnny Thunders, Jerry Nolan, and Joey and Dee Dee Ramone would think of today's music scene.

ROBERTA BETHENCOURT Millstone, New Jersey

LOST HIGHWAY

"THE BALLAD OF ROUTE 66" [by Christopher Hitchens, November] brought back memories of watching the construction of that world-famous road through my hometown in Crawford County, Missouri. I had just celebrated my fifth birthday when the work crew stopped at my family's farm and asked for some drinking water. This was more than 75 years ago, but I still remember it.

In 1999, on a visit back there, I discovered a neglected but still-operating stretch of 66 running between the cities of Bourbon and Cuba. It is narrow and bumpy in places, but it nonetheless returned me to a bygone time. Many thanks to Christopher Hitchens for allowing me to do so again.

MARTHA CROSS Lawrenceville, Georgia

HITCHENS SEEMS TO INSULT what makes America important. If he is offended by roadside stands and restaurants that sell tourist souvenirs, then he should tour his own

country. These establishments are what makes America work.

As for his supreme ignorance of Gallup, New Mexico, and the "hostility" with which he feels he was treated, maybe Mr. Hitchens should have done a little more research. The Native Americans who bless us with their art and culture abhor interrogations and interference into their lifestyles. It is not something they are free about—and that's O.K. in the United States.

MARY JEAN SCHEID Taos, New Mexico

THE COMPANY SHE KEEPS

IT'S EMBARRASSING TO LOOK at your music cover and see nine talented musicians posed in a setup that makes them look like J.Lo's backup band. Must the one entertainer you selected who doesn't write songs, play an instrument, or produce albums be front and center?

MEG SYLVESTER Washington, D.C.

I WANT TO COMMEND your Music Issue for the warm, down-to-earth feeling its cover gave off, with Gwen Stefani, Jennifer Lopez, Sheryl Crow, and Alicia Keys embracing, rather than posing isolated. You don't see covers like that very often. To see so many high-powered women having a grand of time together was refreshing.

KRISTIN WELLS New York, New York

BRIT HAPPENS

I FOUND DAVID KAMP'S oral history of the British Invasion fascinating ["The British Invasion," November]. In 19641 was working at WPIX, Channel 11, in New York and remember the first Rolling Stones American tour. I was there the morning they arrived at the Clay Cole show to pre-tape their segment, direct from Kennedy airport. They awkwardly lip-synched their way through "Not Fade Away." A few weeks later, at the end of their tour, they made another appearance on the show and gave an infinitely more assured performance. They had clearly figured out what would play in America.

CHRISTOPHER DALRYMPLE New York, New York

CONGRATULATIONS on a well-done and long-overdue piece on a period in 20thcentury pop history whose significance cannot be overstated. Extra points for the Paul Jones and Gordon Waller quotes!

GARY TATELVintage Voltage, KRCC-FM Colorado Springs, Colorado

A TOUCH OF ELVIS

EVERY YEAR I look forward to Vanity Fair's Music Issue, and now I'm learning to expect a feature from Elvis Costello. Please don't ever disappoint me. Smart, hip, stylish, wry, erudite, and thought-provoking—the two of you are a perfect match.

KITTY WILBUR Portland, Maine

HELLO, DOLLY FANS

STEVEN DALY AND DAVID KAMP'S assertion in "The Rock Snob's Dictionary" [November] that Dolly Parton was Porter Wagoner's "romantic partner" is incorrect. Mr. Wagoner has often stated that he was infatuated with Ms. Parton for years but that nothing untoward ever occurred. In fact, he has said that upon hiring Ms. Parton he had a meeting with both Dolly and her husband and explained that one inevitable pitfall of stardom would be the linking of their names in the press.

SOUTH G. HAYES AND MANDY CHAKERES Yucca Valley, California

"THE ROCK SNOB'S DICTIONARY" states that June Carter Cash delivered singer Rosanne Cash into the world. This would be news to Ms. Carter, who married Johnny Cash in 1968, given that Rosanne was bom in 1955. Rosanne's mother is Mr. Cash's first wife, Vivian.

DARRELL BERGER Millburn, New Jersey

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