POPPING BACK : CLASSIC ROCK--THE PEOPLE SPEAK

In the Popping Off column on May 10, Chris Willman criticized the “classic rock” radio format for its narrow definition of classic rock and for discouraging diversity in programming. Here’s a sample of reader response.

Thanks to Willman for so expertly speaking for those of us who can still remember what “classic” rock radio was all about. Although only 29, my musical taste evolved from the extreme good fortune of having KPPC to provide the sound track of my formative years.

KPPC presented the best of the alternative worlds available to us in the 1960s, from the oldies to the newest and most experimental. One hour of time could introduce you to everyone from Pink Floyd to Phil Ochs, from the Doors to Pentangle and from the Yardbirds to Pearls Before Swine. KPPC’s deejays had a vast library and all of them used it. They gave me the opportunity to hear a little bit of everything without switching the dial, unlike today.

As Willman states, our Top 40 today shows a wonderfully wide range of artists, so I just can’t believe that I am the only person in Los Angeles who would enjoy this kind of diversity in radio programming. Surely, there must be a market for one station that would allow everything from a smattering of the past, varying styles and genres of music and (gasp!) current releases by new artists.

That’s the stuff program directors have nightmares over, I am fully aware, but isn’t variety and shaking up the Establishment the essence of rock ‘n’ roll culture?

NICKIE HARTE

Encino