POPPING BACK : FANS FUME, OTHERS CHEER BRUCE BLAST

In the Popping Off column in the March 15 Calendar, Kristine McKenna aired her negative views on the Bruce Springsteen phenomenon. Here’s a sample of the heavy reader response, which ran roughly 60% to 40% against McKenna’s opinion.

McKenna criticizes Springsteen for “liberally plagiarizing” ’50s rhythm and blues. A basic tenet of rock is that artists draw from the past, refine the genre and take it a step farther. All artists reap inspiration from those who came before.

Yes, Kristine, rock ‘n’ roll is “about change.” And Springsteen has done as much to change the face of rock in the last 10 years as Bob Dylan did in the ‘60s.

DAVID CROSLEY

Redondo Beach