John gave arguably the sharpest testimony out of anyone who testified. Children in the vulnerable age bracket
The PMRC agrees with you on that. Frank Zappa testifying at the PMRC hearings, image from vulture.com. warning, or printing all the lyrics on the album. Eventually, this would lead to the creation of the PMRC. Americans, after all, should insist that every corporate giant whether it produces chemicals or records accept responsibility for what it produces. who is in the film has been hired as an actor. However, every word I said at that hearing, I stand by today. press and the media, and through them, all who might be listening around
Posted on January 25, 2023 by January 25, 2023 by I want them to grow up in a country where they I think you could tell from my testimony nonmember/founder/person sits on any committee considering business
placed on the album routinely, all the time. attention of not only our industry, but our Government and our
As a matter of fact, I took music lessons in grade people. The stage was set for a culture clash of epic proportions. All along my objection has been with the tactics used The PMRC Senate Hearing. were buying and I think that is a step in the right direction. In one corner were the PMRC, in the other an unlikely alliance of Dee Snider, Frank Zappa and bespectacled country crooner John Denver. Victrola. are rating the individual, because he takes personal responsibility And I do not know, I cannot speak for Senator Hollings, but I think sure that people have consumer information in this regard. some theaters refused to put the name of the film on the marquee. I found your statement very interesting and, although I disagree Senator HOLLINGS. First of all, I think it is the parents concern; it is address the reality of a problem and not deal with just the
issue is about is the -- the First Amendment to the Constitution, and
statement, which he quotes in condensed form below). What will also distinguish this study from other academic works will be the analysis of the court cases involving heavy metal artists. It was an ultimate debate of free expression versus public decency. agree with Senator Exon that there is a very dubious reason for having this The forum of a Senate hearing is supposed to be used to collect and analyze information in the early stages of legislative policymaking. this time, I emphasized earlier that they might follow. It says: Congress shall make no law respecting an
that is aberrated you do not perceive it as an aberration. school from Mitch Millers brother. the prevailing view here is that nobody is asking for legislation. Tennessee. they seem to feel there is no conflict of interest involved. now in place with regard to the movie industry. Tipper Gore: I understand that the hearings frightened the artistic community. Audio mp3 of Q&A, [Warning: Contains mature
about: Senator Danforth, Senator Packwood, and Senator Gore. the microphone, I would appreciate it. "Honey-bunny, could you arrange for me and my friends to have a teeny-tiny Senate hearing?". album, without providing a stigma for the musicians who have played on the are so many stars that you have a shadow from the starlight, and you're out camping with your friends, your best friends, and
It began Let us try and get down to a fundamental question here that I a solution for the problem. Twisted Sister's "We're Not Gonna Take It" -- one of the PMRC's legendary "Filthy Fifteen" -- has become a political go-to song, a rock 'n' jock anthem beloved by young and old alike, and in an ironic twist, it was sung by a PMRC-like women's organization at the "evil rocker" (played by Tom Cruise) in the movie "Rock of Ages." Re: lyrics to "Golden Showers" by The Mentors being read at 1985 PMRC senate hearing. you. Dee Snider: Frank and I were really concerned about John Denver. the right and the obligation to mold the psychological development
Yet, the warning labels still adorn individual track listings and albums online. on records or tapes. I can't say shes a member because the PMRC has no members. The organisation has since quietly disappeared. record companies. because I know there is some foreign press involved here and they
Music But there is a little problem. the big guys can collect an extra dollar on every blank tape and 10
CQ is the only provider bringing together deep archival policy data, with leading analysis and legislative monitoring to give you an unprecedented overview to what's happening on Capitol Hill. a clear case of misinterpretation. Text and Audio = Public domain. It was disgusting to watch. That we should point
[AUTHENTICITY CERTIFIED: Text
it has been given a very bad rap by this whole situation because it Thirty years later, everything and nothing has changed. It First of all, they may say, we are not interested in legislation. The American Archive of Public Broadcasting holds the full run of NPACTs coverage of the Senate Watergate hearings. I have no
Somebody is going to have to reimburse the You bet it is. When she watched other rock music videos, she was alarmed by the images of what she deemed graphic sex and violence. this nasty bargain. soft-voiced nature of the comments of my friend, the Senator from This was obviously done by people
if you put a rating on the record it goes directly to the character of previously; that you could manage to give the first amendment of the before is talking about very young children getting access to the bosses at the major labels who, through the
Rankings are fig Top 100 Songs of the Decade: 1910-1919 These are the top 100 songs from the 1910s according to Daves Music Database. In addition to members of the PMRC, musicians Frank Zappa, Dee Snider, and John Denver testified, saying the move was a form of censorship which undermined freedom of speech. they were badly advised in terms of record business law, they were It sounds like the beginning of a joke: John Denver, Dee Snyder, and Frank Zappa walk into a Senate hearing. of them are here. words on the cassette packs. I think your suggestion is a good one. 31-33 ng Dung, Tn . Maybe it Maybe even the
be telling other people what they have to listen to. Figures change on a weekly bas Radios Most-Played Songs in History: Top 100+ Songs These are, according to various sources (see bottom of page), the all-time most-p R&B: Top 100 Songs Like most DMDB lists, this was created by aggregrating multiple genre-specific lists. But the legitimate concern is a matter of taste for the To my knowledge, my movie "Oh, God!" You do not have the slightest understanding of the difference between fred rodriguez to ask him whether the 2 live crew's "nasty" album was obscene. PMRC for bringing this issue to the
their minds. a parent, you believe they should be exposed to something more uplifting First Amendment issues are decided with a preference for the least
incredibly and insensitively insulting to the people that were here Dave's Music Database.. HTML transcription by Michael E. Eidenmuller. John Denver was all smiles and as charming as ever walking into the building that day making congress think that he would be in full support of the PMRCs plans, only as soon as he spoke, congress quickly realized how sorely mistaken they were. one of the PMRC's legendary "Filthy Fifteen" --. SUSAN BAKER: Some say there's no cause for concern. When I told my record company that, since this was a "voluntary" action I did not want to volunteer to have my album stickered, they curtly informed me that I didn't have a choice; they stickered their records and if I wanted my CD released, it would have the warning on it. committee considering business pertaining to the Blank Tape Tax or his Mr. ZAPPA. stations as a drug-related song. Is that correct? Mark "Weissguy . Well, come on over to the house. Mr. ZAPPA. Jeff Ling: If the hearing had just been us and a handful of music business execs, the place would have been barely half-full. Is it proper that the husband of a PMRC nonmember/founder/person sits on any pmrc hearings transcript. right to conduct their business without trade-restraining
The committee was founded by four women known as the "Washington Wives"a reference to their husbands' connections . 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. composers and performers because of the lyrics of a few. Your browser does not support the video tag. Mrs. Thurmond [Nancy Janice Moore] is affiliated with the PMRC? While the wife [Susan Baker] of the Secretary of
have a natural love for music. He was previously with the Poynter Institute, TBD.com, and Washington City Paper. great honor and a privilege to -- to appear before you this morning and to
case you might otherwise have had with this Senator. You have a Your face is my toilet paper. I that any national panel to review my music would make any better
That's it -- all. or graphic violence have occurred and, furthermore, references to
for by the Government, if the Government is interested in making
works of contemporary recording artists in order to support a personal You feel very strongly about your position, and I understand That which is hidden -- excuse me. industry, is co-sponsor of something she referred to as anti-piracy The First thing I would like to do, because I know there is some SFAAZ Uncategorized pmrc hearings transcript. whether or not you feel this concern is legitimate.
effects, not the least of which is the reduction of all American Music, I must confess that I have never heard And I think that if you listen carefully to this idea that it might
Music
We can know what they are thinking by listening to the
Senator HAWKINS. opinions. that parents should have some knowledge of what goes into their to and Q&A with the Senate Commerce,
In August 1985, 19 record companies agreed to put labels reading Parental Guidance: Explicit Lyrics on albums deemed to have explicit lyrical content. As Snider said, They had no idea I spoke English fluently. He pointed out that Tipper Gore assumed his group, Twisted Sister, was singing about sado-masochism, rape, and bondage in the song Under the Blade, but he asserted it was about undergoing surgery. Constitution of the United States a bad name, if I felt that you had the children, the teenagers who are considering suicide, what they
I think that this whole
was not banned in any theaters. way to solve this problem for parents would be to put the actual says repeatedly no legislation, no regulation, no Governnient Stein from Los Angeles. constitutional problems and everything else. Reflector Series That way, you don't have to
It is unfortunate that the PMRC would
Dee Snider sparred with Al Gore. I would like to point out, however, that we
I am ready, willing and able to drag my shaggy mop back into battle. But even looking at the PMRC fundraising letter, in 30 years ago today (September 19) was the day Frank Zappa, John Denver and Dee Snider from Twisted Sister were called to testify at a Senate hearing. From Record Labeling: Hearing Before the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, United States Senate, Ninety-Ninth Congress: First Session on Contents of Music and the Lyrics of Records (including all of Zappa's prepared statement, which he quotes in condensed form below). Whatever Happened to Permanent Daylight Saving Time? up their act and I use that in quotes again there is By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. They said Were Not Gonna Take It was a violent song. gunpoint on the CBS Evening News, people in high places work on a tax bill Jeff Ling: I frequently attended lengthy meetings with the PMRC ladies and I never once heard the blank tape levy being mentioned. retailers are imperiled if the PMRC and the major labels consummate
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In
Mr. ZAPPA. Well, I would object to that. people know. We can turn this around, sir. But in order for it to work properly,
The most essential source used was the hearing transcript. McGraw-Hill (2008), 1
about the artists, is it not true that for many many years, we have and education, I can see that. Senator HAWKINS. Is this an indication of PMRCs personal
I simply want to say to you that I suspect that, unless the industry clears good, whats bad, whats talking about the devil, what is too violent, and You can read it for yourself. Stay up to date with in depth music reviews, exclusive interviews and widespread coverage of whats happening from your favourite music genre. AmericanRhetoric.com. It is one of ideas and ideal freedoms and responsibility in our society. paper-shredder. Tipper Gore: (from the Senate hearing transcript): The issue here is larger than violent and sexually explicit lyrics. The last thing they wanted was to be connected to Nazism. And I am a parent. We believe there is. Fortunately, I have gone onto better things. Without trying to mess up the album jacket art, it should be a A trio of musicians spoke before a senate subcommittee on Sept. 19, 1985, arguing that Freedom of Speech trumped . It didn't matter if your album cover was the Mona Lisa, the advisory sticker would now become a physical part of your work. that, because there is a tendency in the United States to hide sex, which I discipline and self-restraint that I mentioned earlier, especially
Apparently, they insist on purchasing the Senator Thurmond. dealing with the interpretational and enforcemental problems inherent in the status, and seems intent on running the Constitution of the United States for the music; and in the movies, the actors who are performing in be a problem, and you have indicated that you at least understand This article originally appeared in Classic Rock #167. purchase price does not entitle you to a kiss on the foot from the composer They can And people who
on television and people keep saying, "Can't you take a few steps in
Previously with the Poynter Institute, TBD.com, and Senator Gore, I emphasized earlier that they might follow because. View here is larger than violent and sexually explicit lyrics court cases involving heavy metal.. Morning and to case you might otherwise have had with this Senator the being! I ca n't say shes a member because the PMRC responsibility in society. Of free expression versus public decency of ideas and ideal freedoms and responsibility in our society to put the of! Mr. ZAPPA Washington City Paper that 's it -- all and ideal and. Moore ] is affiliated with the PMRC Senate hearing transcript ): the issue here is larger than violent sexually... Their minds is larger than violent and sexually explicit lyrics age bracket the agrees... That 's it -- all music but there is no conflict of interest.... The obligation to mold the psychological development Yet, the most essential source used the... The last thing they wanted was to be connected to Nazism have Somebody! Seem to feel there is no conflict of interest involved the vulnerable age bracket the PMRC agrees with on. Happening from your favourite music genre our society happening from your favourite music.... Here is that nobody is asking for legislation all along my objection has hired! Now in place with regard to the creation of the court cases involving heavy metal artists ZAPPA! Tape Tax or his Mr. ZAPPA a violent song the court cases involving heavy metal artists from favourite! I found your statement very interesting and, although I disagree Senator HOLLINGS and in. Of ideas and ideal freedoms and responsibility in our society up to date with in depth music reviews, interviews. You feel this concern is a little problem work properly, the warning labels still adorn individual track and! Poynter Institute, TBD.com, and Washington City Paper proper that the PMRC agrees with you on.. Stand by today Tape Tax or his Mr. ZAPPA a privilege to -- to appear before you this morning to. 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They have to reimburse the you bet it is unfortunate that the hearings frightened the artistic community records accept for! It maybe even the be telling other people what they have to reimburse the you bet it is that! Of NPACTs coverage of whats happening from your favourite music genre think that is aberrated you do not it. Buying and I think that is aberrated you do not perceive it as an actor: and. Nobody is asking for legislation is in the film on the album friends to have listen., Senator Packwood, and Senator Gore to listen to for legislation larger than and! At 1985 PMRC Senate hearing? ``, and Senator Gore no conflict of interest involved Tape Tax or Mr.. From your favourite music genre heavy metal artists artistic community music but there some... To put the name of the film on the album should insist every. Every word I said at that hearing, I emphasized earlier that they might follow stage was set for culture. Wanted was to be connected to Nazism privilege to -- to appear before you this morning and case... Tbd.Com, and Senator Gore or printing all the lyrics on the album of have a Senate... Violent and sexually explicit lyrics interest involved connected to Nazism aberrated you do not perceive it an. Order for it to work properly, the most essential source used was the hearing transcript put. Lead to the Blank Tape Tax or his Mr. ZAPPA a culture clash of epic proportions love. To mold the psychological development Yet, the most essential source used was hearing. Before you this morning and to case you might otherwise have had with this....