Was it right to pull the plug on Hyde Park concert?

I MUST question Dominic Lawson’s pompous ‘Thank God they pulled the plug on these two’ attitude (Mail). The likes of Bruce Springsteen and Paul McCartney don’t rely on heavily cranked up computerised rhythms to hide musical deficiencies — they’re highly talented musicians. Nor would their music be a good choice for breaking down Guantanamo Bay suspects — they would probably be of more comfort to the inmates there than Mozart, Schubert and Beethoven. Mr Lawson is merely exposing the inadequacy of his perception of ‘modern’ music. I’ve been privileged to hear live music of many genres, but nothing uplifts me more than to see a rock band which understands its audience and is prepared to ‘go the extra mile’ — and nobody does that better than Springsteen.

MIKE HoRDYNSKI, olney, Bucks.

THE decision to ‘pull the plug’ on Messrs Springsteen and McCartney reminds me of a similar concert years ago. In 1968, I was a member of a band with Guy Mitchell, the Fifties singing star who was trying to revive his career. On this occasion, Islington Town Hall had a live music licence that finished at 11pm. On the dot, a little man leapt onto the stage and removed the plug from the socket. Guy was mic-less in mid-song and the concert ended in chaos. ‘Rules must be obeyed,’ was the call.

ALAN GRINDELL, Southend-on-Sea, Essex.

AS A professional musician for 38 years, I found Dominic Lawson’s comments on pop/rock music apt: it is indeed the most shallow, impoverished excuse for music ever served up to an unsuspecting public. Sir Thomas Beecham said: ‘The British don’t like music; they only like the noise that it makes’ and that only about 2 per cent of the population is musical. Both observations are true and lead to absurdities such as The Beatles being described as ‘profound’. But there was a time when popular music offered much more. Musical appreciation through exposure and knowledge would soon confine the music industry’s pathetic little ditties — whether from the ‘profound’ Beatles or the ‘stars’ of today — to the bin. If you did but know it, you’re all being conned.

PAuL SAWTELL, Mochdre, Powys.