Los Angeles Times
February 10, 1991, Sunday, Home Edition

SINEAD O'CONNOR AND THE VALUES OF THE AMERICAN MUSIC INDUSTRY



   On Feb. 1 Sinead O'Connor announced in a letter to the National Academy of
Recording Arts & Sciences that she would not perform on the Feb. 20 Grammy
telecast and would accept no award that might be voted her. The Irish singer,
nominated in four categories, said she was protesting "false and destructive
materialistic values" in the music industry.  Below is a sampling of the many
letters on her action received by Calendar.

   I would like to applaud O'Connor for making a courageous political statement.
Her claims that the music industry has false, materialistic values is nothing
new, but the world is in dire need of voices speaking the truth.

   I hope that many more people of power and influence will follow her lead.
Where are you stars in this time of crisis? Are you still a "material girl,"
Madonna?

   MICHAEL J. HERIZA