LETTERS - Brief Article - Letter to the Editor

Interview, April, 2000

The Va-Va-Va Votes Come In

Dear Interview,

Bravo to Ellen von Unwerth for shooting the smokingest, sizzling-est, hottest Valentine's story ["Va-Va-Va-Valentine," February] I've ever seen. The whole section was killer, but I especially loved the photo of Rah Digga--she looks as fierce as she sounds. And Dimitri Ehrlich's interview was a sweet little nugget also (but next time, please give the lady more room to speak). I love how she describes a woman warrior as someone with inner strength, and the way she talks about how she and her little daughter would both rather get dirty in the park than run around all dressed up. Sounds to me like a woman who knows how to live.

ROBERTA GIVENS

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK

Dear Interview,

I was just wondering why there is no interview with Discovery Portfolio va-va-va Ashton's photo? Ellen Von Unwerth's two page shot definitely captured my attention!

STEVEN B. MONZ

VIA THE INTERNET

Shut In, But Not Shut Out

Dear Interview,

Your excerpt from the biography of the miraculous Rubin Hurricane Carter ["The Force Before Hurricane," January] was intense. Rubin was awe-inspiring. The most amazing thing is, despite his troubled past in and out of mental institutions, jails and reformatories, nothing suppressed his spirit. For instance, he took up the teachings of Zen, which allowed him to shut off the outside world while he completed his manuscript. Unlike most people who go to jail and let their minds and bodies rot, he used his time wisely to produce a book and have valuable self-introspection. Thank you for having enough guts to excerpt this important book about such a wonderfully enlightened human being.

ISAAC S. WOLLMAN

SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA

From Her Mouth to Our Ears

Dear Interview,

I loved the interview with Cate Blanchett ["Cate," January]. What she said about fitting her "self" into her art, and about freedom and direct emotional expression, totally inspired my thoughts about how to be the most honest, personal classical music performer I can be. Isn't that what the best interviews should do? Reveal enough about the subject to inspire people across genre boundaries?

AMELIA HOLLANDER

ROCHESTER, NY

Make that Rock 'n' Roll Fan Hall of Fame

Dear Interview, I've always been a faithful reader of Greil Marcus's Music Column, because I think his style is excellent and his observations insightful. Most of the time I read his pieces and wish I could say things half as well. His column in the March issue is no exception. What is out of whack, however, is the fact that its subject, Beatles manager Brian Epstein, is not in the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame. I sent a letter to the nominating folks on the Avenue of the Americas in New York City, and I'm waiting for a response, but it's probably to be expected that someone like me won't be heard. On the other hand, I'm convinced that you and Greil Marcus (especially with his reputation in the music industry) cannot be denied.

So what say? You've already run the first lap by publishing the column in the March issue. Now go the extra mile. Be courageous. Use your influence to get the nominating committee to induct Epstein into the Hall in the non-performer category. Hell, why not pick up the phone and call McCartney, Harrison, and Starr and get them to help? Epstein has as much right to the honor as Ahmet Ertegun's brother Nesuhi, or for that matter Syd Nathan or Paul Ackerman. I know you can do this. I can feel it.

SEAN BRICKELL

VIA THE INTERNET

Just What the Patients Ordered

Dear Interview,

It's too bad more physicians couldn't be like Dr. Jerome Groopman ["The Human Touch," February]. He cares about his patients as human beings, not as dollar signs. Instead of just treating his patients, he wants them to become involved and ask questions and play an active role in their medical treatment. He not only evaluates a patient in terms of his body, but sees the whole person--their personality, their emotions, their culture, their religion, etc., as he believes this is all vital to the treatment process. If more doctors emulated Dr. Groopman, our world would be a much kinder, gentler, healthier place in which to live.

KENNETH L. ZIMMERMAN

HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA

His Miss Universe

Dear Interview,

In your January issue you had pictures from your Birthday bash ["Parteeeee!," January 2000]. In one of them was a female bodybuilder standing next to the girl popping out of the cake. I'd like to suggest that you put her in an article. She really got my interest up.

RICHARD REED

SAINT JOSEPH, MO

Every Dog Has His Day

Dear Interview,

I never realized what a disgustingly ugly freak Tommy Lee was until I received my March issue of Interview. Although I've never seen the video, how the most beautiful woman in the world can sleep with that man is beyond my comprehension. Thanks for the great interview and photography.

JON WEST

BEL AIR, MD

Correction: The portrait of Ashton in February's Va-Va-Va-Valentine portfolio failed to credit Barbara Pfister Casting, who represents him.