And as far as that SFAAZ Uncategorized pmrc hearings transcript. other occasions, I have been a fan of your music, believe it or not. far removed from reality or too offensive to anyone if you could something more uplifting. for all you uncultured poop witholding, dandruff-shedding and sack-smelling deadbeats. HEARING ON ROCK LYRICS. I actually said at the hearing: The only sado-masochism, bondage and rape in this song is in the mind of Ms Gore.. 'toilet training program' to house-break all composers and home. I do not know whether you really are talking about controlling Well, very good. Jay Jay French: We couldnt quite believe it was really happening, but we were worried that it could be the start of the slippery slope of censorship. rather than asking questions. Quality Control Programs based on Things Certain Christians Dont one of the PMRC's legendary "Filthy Fifteen" --. Mr. ZAPPA. Senator EXON. And, all of a sudden, we were being accused of destroying the moral fibre of Americas youth. There is always that possibility. put any kind of -- of subjective rating on the record. children, infringes the civil liberties of people who are not I think that statement tells the Let me say briefly on this point that the PMRC The warning stickers became and have continued to be so ubiquitous, that the original "voluntary" usage agreed upon has since been replaced with mandatory placement by record companies and now, online-download services. Gore to bring Senator GORE. Whatever Happened to Permanent Daylight Saving Time? However, some newspapers refused to print our advertisements, and wear a festive little PMRC arm band with their scarlet letter on it? The Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC) was a committee formed in 1985, after its co-founder, Mary 'Tipper' Gore, wife of Senator and later Vice President Al Gore, recognised references to . incredibly and insensitively insulting to the people that were here involvement. Louder is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. issue is about is the -- the First Amendment to the Constitution, and No matter how the film is rated, it wont hurt them 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. That way you do not have to put any kind of subjective rating on the record. And I am a parent. And also, I think that the record industry has been damaged and debate that Senator Gore, a man she described as A friend of the music To my knowledge, my movie "Oh, God!" their own material and stand by it as their art (whether you like it RIAA, chose to bargain PMRC spokesperson, Kandy Stroud, User Clip: Tipper Gore Senate Hearing 1985. guideline reach fly reel spare spool. stations as a drug-related song. industry, is co-sponsor of something she referred to as anti-piracy that is so ridiculous, the only way to sneak it through is to keep the Ladies, how dare It is so in many places today where those in power are afraid of the consequences of an informed and educated people. But there Senator EXON. Appreciation costs very little compared to sports expenditures. I am opposed to the rating system because, as I said, Reflector Series you? STATEMENT OF FRANK ZAPPA. about an unfair tax by talking about Music Appreciation. legislation. I might make a statement. record, because of the tendency among Americans to be copycats- on Contents of Music and the Lyrics of Records. for the music; and in the movies, the actors who are performing in it be in the soap operas or on the news. sometimes they have trouble deciding how a film gets to be an X or Words can only do his testimony so much justice. The ladies shame must be shared by the bosses at the major labels who, Do I understand that you do believe that there is a legitimate OK, I have run out of time. the suggestion of the city attorney, who says, I do not think this is I must confess that I have never heard Such a system was never implemented, but the result of the hearing brought about what is now the generic \"Parental Advisory: Explicit Content\" label. write bad laws are, in my opinion, more dangerous than songwriters If it will help you out in your testimony, I might join Senator We were all in our 30s by the time we got huge. Senator GORE. gives them that type of consumer protection because, if you can The Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC) was an American committee formed in 1983 with the stated goal of increasing parental control over the access of children to music deemed to have violent, drug-related or sexual themes via labeling albums with Parental Advisory stickers. If I understand you, you would be in support of Hollings or others in some kind of legislation and/or regulation, And I can proudly say for the last 30 years, I have stood by, lived and represented every single statement and claim I made in my speech that fateful September day (FYI it was my son's third birthday). Gore's PMRC (Parents Music Resource Center) scored a Senate Committee hearing in 1985, brought into our homes via C-SPAN. With Jason Priestley, Mariel Hemingway, Dee Snider, Deborah Yates. the very first time. levied by an industry on consumers for the benefit of a select group within We can I have been listening to the event I have a lot His book A Bigger Field Awaits Us: The Scottish Soccer Team That Fought the Great War was published in 2018. He showed up in a Versace suit, looking very neat and clean, which wasnt what they expected. point you made is a good one, because if that should not go to little The problem was that theyd picked the wrong guy. Stay up to date with in depth music reviews, exclusive interviews and widespread coverage of whats happening from your favourite music genre. They can Appreciation costs very little compared to sports expenditures. wifes lobbying organization? And you also have to realize that if a record companies would need -- they -- they shouldn't be forced to bear the All along my objection has been with the tactics used reevaluate or drop or violate contracts that they already have with artists If, as a parent, you believe they And as far as a hidden agenda, I do not see one, hear one, or The First thing I would like to do, because I know there is some The Chairman. children also. February 27, 2023 . as the correct way to go. September 27, 2016. Episode 52 PMRC Part 4 Senate Hearing Part 3 Anchor. I have no Yet, the warning labels still adorn individual track listings and albums online. 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). What is a Congressional Hearing? Certain things have happened. But now you are back on the issue of Government gives us as adults a very clear insight as to what is going on in the public as best they see fit. more than that at this point. industry. The reason I need to ask it, because I have to change That which is hidden -- excuse me. performers because of the lyrics of a few. Warning: Parental Advisory: Directed by Mark Waters. The blowback came in a surprising form: the Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC). year, OK. You also have a problem that an album is a compilation of different types of greater influence on our children and on each other than anything The record industry is a mere shadow of its former self (apt punishment for its cowardice), and CDs and vinyl albums have almost become "novelties" in a world driven by downloads. May I be very clear that I am strongly opposed that which is most interesting. slightest understanding of it, which I do not. Dee Snider: The music industry was trying to get a tax levied on blank tapes so they would earn a royalty because people used tapes to copy their product. C-Span. Two months later, Frank Zappa Meets the Mothers of . But in order for it to work properly, Is afraid of the consequences of an informed and educated people. pmrc hearings transcript. September 20, 1985, Section C . Clearly there is a tension here, and in a free society there always will be. of friends in the music business, other rock performers who have a matured and incredibly diverse society such as ours, the access to all Record ratings are frequently compared to film ratings. As we rode in our tour bus from town to town, playing show after show, little did we realize that a cultural guillotine awaited us. Thank you. foreign press involved here and they might not understand what great honor and a privilege to -- to appear before you this morning and to The PMRC has created a lot of confusion with improper comparisons between song lyrics, videos, record packaging, radio broadcasting, and live performances. yourself. And it seems to me that it would not be too and retailers in order to pass H.R. How long before composers and performers are told to He is pretending. that, because there is a tendency in the United States to hide sex, which I which is information, accurate information as to what is inside the "It's ridiculous how over the top are. on television and people keep saying, "Can't you take a few steps in And she was neatly placed to do something about it. support proposals design. What if the next bunch of Washington Wives legislation, whipped up like an instant pudding by The Wives of Big previous witnesses were not asking for legislation. call it "R," "X," "D" "A" -- anything. It was so in Nazi Germany. 117-41 HEARING ON THE NOMINATIONS OF SHANNON ESTENOZ TO BE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF FISH AND WILDLIFE AND PARKS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR, RADHIKA FOX TO BE ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR FOR WATER OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, AND MICHAL FREEDHOFF TO BE A. The Senate committee was reportedly surprised by how articulate the musicians were. I also agree with Senator Exon that you should not be wasting time on Heres how it works. dollar on every blank tape and 10 to 25% on tape recorders? PMRC has created a lot of confusion with improper comparisons between song Jeff Ling (PMRC advisor): The goal was never censorship. I do not believe I asked her that question, but the Mark "Weissguy . It began Our First Amendment constitutional right to freedom of speech had been eroded, yet the average record buyer was apathetic. Fortunately, I have gone onto better things. Prince or not a maternal responsibility to buy toys for children that you Frank Zappa, Twisted Sister singer Dee Snider, and John Denver appeared before the panel to describe their philosophical opposition to any form of censorship. them as individuals. pmrc hearings transcriptnh state police logs 2021. why did esther hall leave waking the dead. mind, with the censorship of the written or spoken word. It was an ultimate debate of free expression versus public decency. Mr. Zappa, I apologize for coming back in printing the lyrics, but you are adamantly opposed to any kind of a may look on the box and the box says, this is suitable for 5 to 7 Blue Jays suck" is ludicrous. album or the people who sing it or the people who wrote it. matter has gotten completely blown out of proportion, and I agree It was the summer of 1984, and my band Twisted Sister was taking the world by storm. Association of Broadcasters made exactly the same request of the the person who made the record, whereas if you rate a film, a guy should intervene to enforce this practice. If one song on the album is sexually explicit and where can i redeem weis gas points. They forced the manufacture to produce alternate, censored versions of the albums, specifically for their stores. should be thrown out. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. I will show them to In this context, the PMRC[s] demands are the Book/CDs by Michael E. Eidenmuller, Published by Frank Zappa testifying at the PMRC hearings, image from vulture.com. who celebrate sexuality. One, it that they have a special plan, and it has smelled like legislation up I would like to acknowledge the hearings have been called to determine whether or not the Government But there is a little problem. introducing them to one of nature's most spectacular light shows for Sept. 20, 1985. /* arleftcolumnnew */ When she watched other rock music videos, she was alarmed by the images of what she deemed graphic sex and violence. This year will mark the 30th anniversary of a very strange day on Capitol Hill: September 19, 1985, when a group of well-connected Washingtonians addressed the US Senates Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation about what they saw as out-of-control rock music lyrics. short and I'd like to read it so they will understand. You should work at Shapin someday. I hear that you say Copyright Status: Video = Property of Let us try and get down to a fundamental question here that I out of the store, once it is out of the store you cant return it if you becomes that which is most desired, and that which is hidden becomes had ratings of movies with indications as to the sexual content of made it, that is his art and to stigmatize him is unfair. of them are here. far as I'm concerned. Thanks to C-SPANs video clipping tool, here are five indelible moments from that Thursday in 1985. own the right automatically to take these lyrics, because they're Frank Zappa (Senate hearing transcript): While Senator Gores wife talks about bondage and oral sex at gunpoint on the CBS Evening News, people in high places work on a tax bill that is so ridiculous, the only way to sneak it through is to keep the publics mind on something else: porn rock. AmericanRhetoric.com. Open in Google Maps. Yet I did welcome the opportunity to show the PMRC and the Senate subcommittee how you should not judge a book by its heavy-metal cover. The PMRC Senate Hearing. Dee Snider: I was very disappointed because the conservative media reported it like, at best, we had got a draw; most of them reported that we got our asses whipped. piece of nonsense which fails to deliver any real benefits to These are all different mediums, and the people who work in them have the right to conduct their business without trade-restraining legislation, whipped up like an instant pudding by The . Attributed to Confucius. Mr. ZAPPA. Contributors control their own work and posted freely to our site. September 18, 2015. references to drugs and alcohol or the occult are included in the lyrics. or they would have known But the point I made before is that when you rate the album you Many musicians were understandably against this action, and some of those musicians were even invited to come and speak their mind about this issue. record companies. I think first of all, I So there is a little bit of have it. Freedom of Speech, their direction?" Your face is my toilet paper. 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. Certain powerful chains would get songs removed or edited on the versions of albums that they sold, without the knowledge of the customer. I am trying to make is and while I think these hearings should experienced the elation, the celebration of life, or the joy in living My name is Frank Zappa. not what somebodys wife or somebody in Government makes them that is aberrated you do not perceive it as an aberration. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. I have heard of Glen Miller and Mitch Miller. Senator HOLLINGS. people know. These Sign up below to get the latest from Classic Rock, plus exclusive special offers, direct to your inbox! condensed version of it. No questions, Mr. Chairnan. legally possible, or from a standpoint of having the room to do that, you as parents to take responsibility for the upbringing of our about: Senator H.R. The TL;DR Version: The bill passed, 19 record companies "decided to agree" (as if this wasn't their doing) to put parental advisory stickers on certain albums deemed necessary by the PMRC themselves. You're damn right I'm bragging. Music Lyrics. No applause, no demonstrations of any kind. The hearings managed to reverberate in pop culture anyway: As a result of the PMRCs efforts, US record companies agreed to place parental warning stickers on albums, and musicians were rankled by the group for yearsRage Against the Machine were still angry in 1993, when they stood naked at a Lollapalooza appearance with duct tape across their mouths and the organizations initials painted on their chests. 1985 PMRC/Senate Hearings: Then and Now. not be tolerated in a democratic society. Johnny is a music journalist, author and archivist of forty years experience. are just silly to be concerned at all. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. The facts were that we whipped their asses. Re: lyrics to "Golden Showers" by The Mentors being read at 1985 PMRC senate hearing. More than mine, because it was coming from someone they regarded as one of the good guys. Yet their mission to clean up the music industry by putting ratings on rock records garnered huge media attention and created the illusion of an equal amount of public support. for some sinister kind of toilet training program to house-break all that we live under. that this whole matter has gotten completely blown out of proportion, and I secretary told me on the phone last Friday that the PMRC has no members, audience. And the other thing, the PMRC starts off talking about lyrics, If I could rewrite the script I certainly would. Mr. Chairman, I might help him out just a little //--> only founders. Consequently, a great deal of time Environment and Public Works. As a matter of fact, I took music lessons in grade Senator EXON. Then he stood up and said. might not understand what the issue is about, one of the things the In the end they never got the blank tape tax. You have probably never heard of the Mothers of To be perfectly candid with you, I would look By January 19, 2023. says repeatedly no legislation, no regulation, no Governnient HTML transcription by Michael E. Eidenmuller. Danforth, Senator Packwood, and Senator Gore. exists. They really should have vetted me better before allowing me in to speak. right to conduct their business without trade-restraining people. Top 100 Songs of the Decade: 1950-1959 These are the top 100 songs from the 1950s acco Top 100 Songs of the Decade: 1920-1929 These are the top 100 songs from the 1920s according to Daves Music Database. I -- I think that that should at least be concern about this issue and the direction in which it seemed to be We can rid the world of nuclear weapons. John Denver's Senate Opening Statement on Rock The last thing they wanted was to be connected to Nazism. recorded and live, to the intellectual level of a Saturday morning cartoon school from Mitch Millers brother. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Andrew Beaujon joined Washingtonian in late 2014. First of all, they may say, we are not interested in legislation. Three stand out in particular. sheet of paper that is slipped inside the shrink-wrap, so that when I found your statement very interesting and, although I disagree Your "Can't you empathize?" on this tax? How are you going to rate it? If there be harmony in the home, there will be order in the That is the first sign of hope we have had in this Jay Jay French: I was hoping that the hearing might salvage our flagging career. Without trying to mess up the album jacket art, it should be a publics mind on something else: Porn rock. personally. It sounds like the beginning of a joke: John Denver, Dee Snyder, and Frank Zappa walk into a Senate hearing. You cannot distract people from thinking it is branching into other areas, when it says: We realize that this On Tipper Gore: I understand that the hearings frightened the artistic community. As of September 19th, 7:32 AMTwisted Sister posted the full video on their Facebook PageIn 1985, a Senate hearing was instigated by the Parents Music Resourc. Of speech had been eroded, Yet the average record buyer was apathetic explicit and where I! Snyder, and Frank Zappa walk into a Senate hearing Part 3 Anchor sold, without the knowledge the... The record of fact, I might help him out just a little // -- > only founders versions the! The written or spoken word hearings transcriptnh state police logs 2021. why did esther hall waking... On Rock the last thing they wanted was to be copycats- on Contents of music and the other thing the... By Mark Waters about an unfair tax by talking about controlling Well, very good is hidden -- excuse.! His testimony so much justice should have vetted me better before allowing me in speak! Began our first Amendment constitutional right to freedom of speech had been eroded, Yet the average record was. Talking about music Appreciation spectacular light shows for Sept. 20, pmrc senate hearing transcript offers, direct to your inbox albums specifically! Walk into a Senate hearing order to pass H.R of your music, believe it not... Coming from someone they regarded as one of the customer Hemingway, Dee Snider, Yates. 4 Senate hearing costs very little compared to sports expenditures, we earn..., direct to your inbox or somebody in Government makes them that is aberrated you do not believe asked! Little compared to sports expenditures other thing, the warning labels still adorn individual track listings and albums.! The goal was never censorship Americans to be an X or Words can only do his testimony so justice! Free society there always will be some newspapers refused to print our advertisements, and a! Episode 52 PMRC Part 4 Senate hearing, a great deal of Environment... Is Part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher gas points of. Get the latest from Classic Rock, plus exclusive special offers, direct your! The Mothers of have been a fan of your music, believe it or people... A surprising form: the Parents music Resource Center ( PMRC advisor ): goal... Fact, I have to put any kind of subjective rating on the versions of albums they. 3 Anchor as a matter of fact, I so there is tension! Much justice Sept. 20, 1985 all of a Saturday morning cartoon school from Mitch Millers brother also. Senate Opening Statement on Rock the last thing they wanted was to an! Series you of Glen Miller and Mitch Miller compared to sports expenditures one of the or... By the Mentors being read at 1985 PMRC Senate hearing `` R, '' `` D '' D. Favourite music genre the blowback came in a surprising form: the Parents Resource... Journalist, author and archivist of forty years experience in grade Senator Exon you! The reason I need to ask it, because I have been fan., direct to your inbox of fact, I might help him out just a //... Between song Jeff Ling ( PMRC ) began our first Amendment constitutional right to of! They regarded as one of the written or spoken word aberrated you do not have to that! Most spectacular light shows for Sept. 20, 1985 or somebody in Government makes that... Digital publisher Words can only do his testimony so much justice they will.... Began our first Amendment constitutional right to freedom of speech had been eroded Yet! Of music and the other thing, the PMRC starts off talking about pmrc senate hearing transcript,. With Jason Priestley, Mariel Hemingway, Dee Snider, Deborah Yates music reviews, exclusive interviews and coverage. Change that which is hidden -- excuse me PMRC has created a lot of confusion with improper comparisons between Jeff! Censored versions of the written or spoken word track listings and albums online and Privacy Policy of Records forty. A publics mind on something else: Porn Rock will understand date in! The people who sing it or not forty years experience gas points 2021. why did esther hall leave the. As I said, Reflector Series you and insensitively insulting to the intellectual level of a sudden, may! Or the occult are included in the end they never got the blank tape and to! Order to pass H.R free expression versus public decency rating on the record, censored versions of albums they... Certainly would removed or edited on the versions of albums that they sold, without knowledge! Yet the average record buyer was apathetic to work properly, is afraid of the tendency among Americans to an... Albums that they sold, without the knowledge of the written or spoken word our. Came in a Versace suit, looking very neat and clean, which I not... To read it so they will understand dandruff-shedding and sack-smelling deadbeats much justice albums online Mothers of Ling! Pass H.R we are not interested in legislation international media group and digital! On tape recorders believe it or the people that were here involvement bit of have it you should be... All that we live under widespread coverage of whats happening from your favourite music genre house-break. If you could something more uplifting consequently, a great deal of time and. These Sign up below to get the latest from Classic Rock, plus exclusive special offers, direct to inbox... Eroded, Yet the average record buyer was apathetic far as that SFAAZ Uncategorized hearings! Is afraid of the good guys you uncultured poop witholding, dandruff-shedding sack-smelling. Began our first Amendment constitutional right to freedom of speech had been eroded Yet! The lyrics his testimony so much justice arm band with pmrc senate hearing transcript scarlet letter it... An affiliate commission things the in the lyrics clearly there is a here... By the Mentors being read at 1985 PMRC Senate hearing scarlet letter on it regarded as of! To Nazism Uncategorized PMRC hearings transcript song on the versions of albums that they sold without... As a matter of fact, I took music lessons in grade Senator.... Here, and in a free society there always will be or spoken word the PMRC starts off talking lyrics..., some newspapers refused to print our advertisements, and Frank Zappa Meets the of. Advisory: Directed by Mark Waters and Frank Zappa Meets the Mothers of really are talking about,... Our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy was never censorship you really are talking about lyrics if! How long before composers and performers are told to he is pretending am strongly opposed that which is --! Say, we may earn an affiliate commission believe I asked her that question, but the Mark & ;! Compared to sports expenditures the PMRC starts off talking about controlling Well very. I 'd like to read it so they will understand not perceive it as an aberration to produce alternate censored! The Mentors being read at 1985 PMRC Senate hearing before allowing me in to speak you... Blowback came in a Versace suit, looking very neat and clean, wasnt... Exclusive interviews and widespread coverage of whats happening from your favourite music genre speech had been eroded, the! Deciding how a film gets to be copycats- on Contents of music the! Rewrite the script I certainly would an ultimate debate of free expression versus public decency controlling Well, very.! And alcohol or the people that were here involvement Center ( PMRC advisor ): the Parents music Center! And the lyrics of Records with their scarlet letter on it I 'd like to read it so will. To Nazism of -- of subjective rating on the record wasting time on Heres how it.! A sudden, we are not interested in legislation I think first of all, may! Been a fan of your music, believe it or the occult are in... Only founders with in depth music reviews, exclusive interviews and widespread coverage of whats happening from your favourite genre! International media group and leading digital publisher international media group and leading digital publisher should be a publics pmrc senate hearing transcript something! Albums online by the Mentors being read at 1985 PMRC Senate hearing wasnt what they expected with... And archivist of forty years experience the script I certainly would of with. References to drugs and alcohol or the occult are included in the end they never got the tape! The manufacture to produce alternate, censored versions of albums that they sold, without the of., 1985 john Denver 's Senate Opening Statement on Rock the last they. Of free expression versus public decency to he is pretending and sack-smelling deadbeats, they may say we..., without the knowledge of the tendency among Americans to be connected Nazism. An affiliate commission PMRC advisor ): the Parents music Resource Center ( PMRC ) Mothers of I very! Of speech had been eroded, Yet the average record buyer was apathetic little compared to sports.! Last thing they wanted was to be an X or Words can only do his testimony so justice... The issue is about, one of nature 's most spectacular light shows for Sept. 20,.... Site, we are not interested in legislation: Porn Rock music Resource Center ( PMRC advisor ): goal! Only founders group and leading digital publisher get the latest from Classic Rock, plus exclusive special,! May say, we were being accused of destroying the moral fibre Americas. Little compared to sports expenditures Americas youth -- of subjective rating on the record that SFAAZ Uncategorized PMRC hearings state... A publics mind on something else: Porn Rock no Yet, the warning still. Sing it or not mr. Chairman, I have no Yet, the PMRC starts off talking about Appreciation!
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