17,000 4 INXS

Once again Robert Hilburn missed the turnoff to his prayer meeting and mistakenly wound up at a rock concert. I refer to his condescending review of INXS at the Forum, which he found to be less than spiritually uplifting (“Good Fortune and Mediocre Rock in INXS,” June 6).

Speaking as a hard-core Stones-era rock fan, I was quite uplifted--emotionally and sensually. Rock ‘n’ roll is about dancing, moving, feeling and, hopefully, loving. To quote lead singer Michael Hutchence: “Rock ‘n’ roll is about sex.”

It isn’t essential to raise consciousness or inspire dreams; there is virtue in the joy a great band like INXS can bring to 17,000 people on a Friday night. That talent rates a cheer, not a sneer.

CATHERINE PEARL

Santa Barbara