Turn back the covers

I really enjoyed Randy Lewis’ “The Cover Story� (Feb. 22). Growing up in the ‘50s, I am well aware of all the early cover songs, and some (most) were bad. I do have to disagree with “Twist and Shout� and “Blue Suede Shoes.� I much preferred the original versions (Isley Brothers and Carl Perkins). I totally agree with “Sh-Boom.� No way could it compare with the Chords version. My mother threw that 78 in the fireplace and shattered it in a million pieces!

Lewis left out my all-time example of a “bad� cover: the Peggy Lee version of Little Willie John’s “Fever.� I was a young girl then, but I remember thinking how she ruined that song. I know the general feeling is that she did a great job, but not so in my book.

Rosalie Knudson

Chino Hills