Tear down that fence

Just read the excellent article by Curt Guyette regarding the land that belongs to the city ("Bamboozled," News Hits, Nov. 3). It is so remarkable that this situation has gone on since the Dennis Archer administration! What was Archer thinking? Really! What was he thinking? Since the City Council didn't approve any transfer of property to Moroun, what is the fuss? Why doesn't the city just tear the fence down and send him the bill? Why does he think he should have something that doesn't belong to him. It belongs to the city! Period!

Thanks so much for keeping on top of these types of issues. —Ann Brown, Madison Heights

Obscure Detroit rock trivia

The recording "Go Baby," mentioned in Metro Times (The Music Issue, "Detroit's greatest hits that should have been," Nov. 10), was actually done six months before the band R.U.R. even existed, by a sort-lived Detroit outfit called the Antennas. I know, because I played guitar on it. In addition to "Go Baby," we recorded another song called "Corporation Rule," with more pungent lyrics (as the title suggests) than the distraught teenage lovesick sentiment of "Go Baby." As a hopefully interesting aside, Punk Rock magazine was available in most supermarkets and drug stores in the outlying suburbs at that time, underscoring the fact that the whole punk rock phenomenon in Detroit wasn't nearly as insular or groundbreaking as many aging punk rockers would now have you believe. Bursting bubbles amid the rubble, uncordially yours. —Rif Fitzgerald, Bloomfield Hills

What about Johnny?

I read with great interest your gathering of Detroit's greatest hits that should have been, but I lost interest when none of your writers mentioned the many contributions to Detroit's music scene by Johnny Angelos. The Reputations, the Torpedos and the Mighty Quick were some of Johnny Angelos' bands. Johnny wrote, recorded, produced, sang, played harmonica and sometimes guitar on his early releases, "Dreamin'," "Pop Star" and "No Drugs." Due to his early passing, Detroit lost one of its greatest talents. Johnny lived Detroit's rock 'n' roll blues, he never left home without his suitcase of harmonicas. He was even lead singer for Ted Nugent.

How your writers missed John Angelos is disappointing. Maybe they are all too young to remember Detroit's true rock star. —Greg Charles, Ann Arbor

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