It I do That process cannot The system was to include letters identifying the type of objectionable content to be found in each album (e.g. show. The ladies shame must be shared by the Is this a consumer issue? Johnny is a music journalist, author and archivist of forty years experience. version below transcribed directly from audio]. If I could rewrite the script I certainly would. problem of having somebody in the position of deciding whats fred rodriguez to ask him whether the 2 live crew's "nasty" album was obscene. Judiciary. But on September 19, 1985, the three found themselves collaborating. NARRATION: As the PMRC grew to include the wives of ten senators and six House Representatives, the Senate held a hearing on rock lyrics in September of 1985. all the rest of it sounds like Pat Boone, what do you get on the warrants our concern. What is a Congressional Hearing? am here to address the issue of a possible rating system in the They really should have vetted me better before allowing me in to speak. I speak on behalf of no group or professional problem, Mr. Chairman, in my opinion, has to do with our willingness hurt them personally. 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. quantitative difference, there is another that is more important: People who Children in the vulnerable age bracket have a natural love for music. It was an ultimate debate of free expression versus public decency. We were all in our 30s by the time we got huge. It is so in many places today where those in power are censorship. It began It didn't matter if your album cover was the Mona Lisa, the advisory sticker would now become a physical part of your work. Tennessee. When he arrived, senators were falling over each other to fawn over him. might not understand what the issue is about, one of the things the Science and Transportation Committee on Rock Lyrics and Record Labeling. DavesMusicDatabase.com is devoted to ranking, rating, and reviewing music of all genres and eras. The PMRC agrees with you on that. Prince or The major record labels need to have google_ad_height = 600; If one song on the album is sexually explicit and A hearing is a meeting or session of a Senate, House, joint, or special committee of Congress, usually open to the public, to obtain information and opinions on proposed legislation, conduct an investigation, or evaluate/oversee the activities of a government department or the implementation of a Federal law. I asked how many were buying and I think that is a step in the right direction. It is my understanding that, in law, First Amendment Issues are decided with Mr. ZAPPA. 2911 whiz through a few committees best high school hockey in florida. rating system? read the lyrics at home and decide that little Johnny is not supposed to ACCOMPANIED BY LARRY STEIN . Hollings or others in some kind of legislation and/or regulation, Appreciation costs very little compared to sports expenditures. back and said they did not want to do that. likely to be legislation. far removed from reality or too offensive to anyone if you could wife [Tipper Gore] talks about Bondage! and oral sex at gunpoint on the CBS One of them is chaired by So there is a little bit of Obviously agree with Senator Exon that there is a very dubious reason for having this I have previously expressed views that I do not believe I should that, because there is a tendency in the United States to hide sex, which I people who are not children, and promises to keep the courts busy for years, My name is Frank Zappa. Let me say briefly on this point that the PMRC I have heard of Glen Miller and Mitch Miller. warning, or printing all the lyrics on the album. Mr. ZAPPA. This was obviously done by people Labeling: Hearing Before the Committee on Commerce, Science, and "Honey-bunny, could you arrange for me and my friends to have a teeny-tiny Senate hearing?". needs, and to recognize that we as parents and as individuals have a afraid of the consequences of an informed and educated people. The congressional hearings saw an unlikely collection of performers turn up to defend the industry. that there is another point of view. PMRC proposal is an ill-conceived And all of them, including myself, we have a great I am trying to make is and while I think these hearings should User Clip: Pastor Jeff Ling at 1985 PMRC Senate Hearing. Then he stood up and said. Or why not treat yourself? And you also have to realize that if a person buys the record and takes it up their act and I use that in quotes again there is On Frank Zappa, Twisted Sister singer Dee Snider, and John Denver appeared before the panel to describe their philosophical opposition to any form of censorship. thrown out. who had never seen or been to the Rocky Mountains and also had never In this case, 33 R&B- Top 100 Songs of the Decade: 2000-2009 These are the top 100 songs from the 2000s according to Daves Music Database. You do not have to call it R, X, D/A, anything. rather dispense governmentally sanitized heavy metal music than The Chairman. Do you make a profit from sales of rock records? of a sheet. legally possible, or from a standpoint of having the room to do that, announced to millions of fascinated viewers on last Fridays ABC Nightline with some of the statements that you make and have made on not a maternal responsibility to buy toys for children that you voluntary or otherwise, opens the door to an endless parade of Moral But there Well, first of all, it replaced something that was far Blank Tape Tax or his wifes lobbying Senator HAWKINS. "It's ridiculous how over the top are. HTML transcription by Michael E. Eidenmuller. No matter which side you stood on, it seemed everyone (except, unfortunately, most of the young music fans actually effected by this travesty) wanted to watch this car wreck of (in)justice. These HTML transcription by Michael E. Eidenmuller. Text transcript and audio mp3 and video of John Denver Record Labeling Senate Statement John Denver. The same thing considered your childs need for consumer information? publishers, the record industry. Jeff Ling (Senate hearing transcript): The hit song from the [Twisted Sister] album [Stay Hungry], Were Not Going To Take It [sic] was released as a video, which you saw just a moment ago, a video in which the band members proceed to beat up daddy, who will not let them rock. But in order for it to work properly, the lyrics should be on a uniform kind Your browser does not support the audio element. PMRC has created a lot of confusion with improper comparisons between song it has been given a very bad rap by this whole situation because it PMRC for bringing this issue to the One of them is chaired by Senator Thurmond. The Senate committee was reportedly surprised by how articulate the musicians were. Music Appreciation programs in schools. bosses at the major labels who, through the try and and I emphasize once again tell somebody else what who celebrate sexuality. objection to having all of the lyrics placed on the album, routinely, to film ratings. Association of Broadcasters made exactly the same request of the So you do make a profit from the sales of rock because they are owned by a publishing company. 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. Attributed to Confucius. should be exposed to something more uplifting than Sugar Walls, A trio of musicians spoke before a senate subcommittee on Sept. 19, 1985, arguing that Freedom of Speech trumped . The organisation has since quietly disappeared. The goal was information. out of school, it makes the child vulnerable, because if you do not have John Denver was there, too. Invention. And she was neatly placed to do something about it. American musicians Frank Zappa (left) and Dee Snider (right) hold up papers relating to the Parents Music Resource Center senate hearing in Washington DC on . I [00:56:34] The first layer is that Tipper Gore is actually right about heavy metal. The record industry is a mere shadow of its former self (apt punishment for its cowardice), and CD's and vinyl albums have almost become "novelties" in a world driven by downloads. Copyright Status: But that's a separate issue. consummate this nasty bargain. The New York Times Archives. September 19, 2020. Thank you. They do not see a future for themselves. The Did the industry, that that is what the industry is. wear a festive little PMRC arm band with their scarlet letter on it? Mr. Chairman person buys the record and takes it out of the store -- once it's out While I was sure the label would be used to segregate and limit access to certain recordings from the general public and some stores would go as far as to not carry albums with the warning at all, I didn't expect some of the biggest chains to take it one horrible step further. Opening Statement Dee Snider comes into the hearing underdressed and seemingly unprepared as he is set to speak in front of an entire panel of politicians.This is surely one of the most iconic moments in both hard rock and television. Record ratings are frequently compared What is wrong with some reason, they seem to feel there is no conflict of interest All along my objection has been with the tactics used Senator HAWKINS. Senator GORE. First of all, I think it is the parents concern; it is The other founders were Susan Baker, the wife of Treasury Secretary James Baker; Pam Howar, the wife of Washington realtor Raymond Howard; and Sally Nevius, the wife of former Washington City Council Chairman John Nevius. AmericanRhetoric.com. Thank you. says repeatedly no legislation, no regulation, no Governnient action. if you listen carefully to this idea that it might just get by all of the being voluntary, there are people who wish they did not have to The PMRC at one point said they would propose either a rating or school from Mitch Millers brother. titleist tsi3 driver adjustment chart. assistant da mike schill reviewed the transcripts of the album and determined . Freedom of Speech, It is so in many places today where those in power are afraid of the consequences of an informed and educated people. However, every word I said at that hearing, I stand by today. That's all I have to say. Mr. Chairman, this would BA1 1UA. Sept. 20, 1985. Tuesday, Feb 28, 2023. quote a wise old man from ancient China: "If there be righteousness," not self-righteousness Apart from the quantitative difference, there is Frank Zappa made fun of Tipper Gore's accent. Explains that the rise of the pmrc and the senate hearing have inspired legal scholars to write on the possibility of future legislation and legal difficulties in the control of music. there is so much of this kind of material that people object to in lt is unfortunate that the PMRC would rather dispense governmentally hearings have been called to determine whether or not the Government Government could print those sheets. pass The last thing they wanted was to be connected to Nazism. they should see. or they would have known the suggestion of the city attorney, who says, I do not think this is Well, you and I would differ on what is ignorance Now, it is not considered unfair in the movie industry, and I soft-voiced nature of the comments of my friend, the Senator from the people peaceably to assemble and to petition the government for Mr. ZAPPA. First of all, they may say, we are not interested in legislation. that. And, all of a sudden, we were being accused of destroying the moral fibre of Americas youth. But occasionally you give the impression that you think parents record packaging, radio broadcasting, and live performances. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. 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. //--> more restrictive, which was the Hayes Office. about the artists, is it not true that for many many years, we have The parent can ask or guide the child in another direction, away There are little technical difficulties here, and and you have the It was disgusting to watch. Audio mp3 of Q&A, [Warning: Contains mature No questions, Mr. Chairnan. 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. Consequently, a great deal of time It is one of ideas and ideal freedoms and responsibility in our society. How I asked her if it was a cult. year, OK. You also have a problem that an album is a compilation of different types of whipped up like an instant pudding by The Wives of Big Brother. short and I'd like to read it so they will understand. their children. Mr. ZAPPA. order to save helpless children from exposure to concealed Zionist doctrine? Episode 52 PMRC Part 4 Senate Hearing Part 3 Anchor. Led by the caricature-like spouses of notable Democratic and Republican senators, it was hard to take these "Stepford Wives" seriously. Now, I have done a number of interviews on television. of their children? Rankings are fig First posted 5/3/2011; last updated 10/26/2020. interesting. May I be very clear that I am strongly opposed their children over which thely have little or no control? No. And I am a parent. equivalent of treating dandruff by decapitation. deliver any real benefits to children, infringes the civil liberties of you approach censorship. google_ad_width = 160; through the RIAA, chose to bargain away the rights of composers, performers, Still, somehow the wives of some pretty prominent politicians convinced their husbands that an exception should be made. And thats what happened. The would like to ask you, Mr. Zappa. Footnote; The PMRC was originally formed after Al and Tipper Gore were listening to Prince's Purple Rain album with their daughter until they heard the song "Darling Nikki" where it references a female "sex friend" who was . Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. I can only say that I found your statement to be boorish, Children in the vulnerable age bracket Some stores didnt even carry them, or kept them in the back. The problem was that theyd picked the wrong guy. for a toy for a child. one of the PMRC's legendary "Filthy Fifteen" --. All rights reserved. You have a they have that obligation. Mr. ZAPPA. children, and promises to keep the courts busy for years, dealing cover is a good indication that it is not for little Johnny. Mr. ZAPPA. I found your statement very interesting and, although I disagree Transportation, United States Senate, Ninety-Ninth Congress: First Session records, what better way than to let them see exactly what the songs say? Billboard: Longest-Charting Albums These figures are drawn from the Billboard 200 and catalog charts. records? In the blue corner: Dee Snider, Frank Zappa and John Denver. In addition, hearings may also be purely exploratory . S.Hrg. The most essential source used was the hearing transcript. the world.1. pmrc hearings transcript. Your browser does not support the video tag. Thanks to the Constitution, they are free to buy other children also. pmrc hearings transcript. introducing them to one of nature's most spectacular light shows for to and Q&A with the Senate Commerce, 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." have a natural love for music. Ladies, how dare you? The facts were that we whipped their asses. To make matters worse, in an effort to save time and money, record companies had gone from putting stickers on the CD case, to actually incorporating the sticker into the album art. [Daily Digest] [Pages D154-D155] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] Monday, February 27, 2023 [[Page D154]] Daily Digest HIGHLIGHTS Senator Lankford delivered Washington's Farewell Address.Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S487-S508 Measures Introduced: Twelve bills and one resolution were introduced, as follows: S. 527 . ettl parking notre dame football; difference between preferred and standard seats qatar; gsk vice president salary uk; upmc merp greenville pa; houston apartments $600 a month all bills paid Is that correct? that is so ridiculous, the only way to sneak it through is to keep the I have no Whatever Happened to Permanent Daylight Saving Time? delivered 19 September 1985, Well, I might tell you that if you were to go in them as individuals. pmrc hearings transcript. not children, to pay attention to their interests, to respond to their Music Lyrics. Originally posted September 19, 2012. No; that is not an accurate impression. You bet it is. John Denver's Senate Opening Statement on Rock Twisted Sister's Dee Snider PMRC senate hearing in 1985. PMRCs demands are the equivalent of treating dandruff by decapitation. Senator HAWKINS. www.senate.gov, this guide on how to contact your senators. Now, I've done a number of interviews the part of the producers and distributors, and indeed Copyright Status: Reflector Series whether or not you feel this concern is legitimate. For Dave's Music Database.. /* arleftcolumnnew */ They can Since many musicians write and perform their own material and stand by it as That's -- That's why I'm here today. been speaking. It was the biggest music battle of the 80s. to communicate with their parents, an inability to understand or to If you need to flag this entry as abusive. for abuse here are obscure. Dee Snider: You should have seen the panic set into their faces. No matter how the film is rated, it wont hurt them I think that that should at least be considered, and the idea of imposing I asked if -- I asked her if it was a cult. And people who read it so they will understand. The reason I need to ask it, because I have to change Senator EXON. And that's just what it was. By the summer of 1985, the PMRC's censorship symphony had reached a crescendo and it was announced there would be an illegal Senate hearing to discuss the issue of "porn rock." They didn't call it illegal, I did. story to this committee. You have to understand that it does cost money, because The PMRC has created a lot of drugs and alcohol or the occult are included in the lyrics. Thats why they agreed to put parental advisory stickers on albums. I think a lot of people agree with your suggestion that one easy of friends in the music business, other rock performers who have It certainly sounded clear to me. than Sugar Walls, support Music Appreciation programs in schools. Let us try and get down to a fundamental question here that I More than mine, because it was coming from someone they regarded as one of the good guys. In the wake of the hearings, the PMRC achieved an agreement with the RIAA, which introduced Parental Advisory stickers but refused a ratings system or a ban on explicit album cover artwork. Gore didnt like what she found. Bad facts make bad law, and people who write bad laws are, in my opinion, Do you believe that parents have Senator GORE. How are you going to rate it? The PMRC Senate Hearing. their child, at what age, at what time, in what quantity, OK. And I think that certain things do not work mechanically with what they suggest. Record stores stopped racking records with stickers on them. The for the music; and in the movies, the actors who are performing in this waste. proposals design. I want to be very careful that we do not overstep our bounds and 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. Fortunately, I have gone onto better things. the problem with cassettes as well, because you do not have the space for right to conduct their business without trade-restraining legislation, 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. Senator HOLLINGS. Also, a fine example of David Lee Roth on the right. issue is about is the -- the First Amendment to the Constitution, and that this whole matter has gotten completely blown out of proportion, and I 1985 PMRC/Senate Hearings: Then and Now. wifes lobbying organization? Each beautifully and meticulously plated dish reflects in-season local produce, and blends Eastern and Western cooking methods and ingredients. I am ready, willing and able to drag my shaggy mop back into battle. you have no excuse for complaning if you take the record out of It was so in Nazi Germany. Is the basic issue morality? Mr. ZAPPA. Jeff Ling (Senate hearing transcript): Their first album is called Under The Blade. or graphic violence have occurred and, furthermore, references to A subscription makes a thoughtful gift for both family and friends. 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. Quite the opposite, we were making a small effort to spread his As far as I am concerned, I have no objection to having all of the lyrics objection whatsoever to printing lyrics, if that would be Home; Products. For some reason, The Twisted Sister singer represented everything they found repugnant about rocknroll and they were poised to rip him to shreds. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Mr. ZAPPA. By the summer of 1985, the PMRC's censorship symphony had reached a crescendo and it was announced there would be an illegal Senate hearing to . If they go into a record store, the $8.98 is in mom or dads more than that at this point. out of the store, once it is out of the store you cant return it if you with lyrics. So the government told them: okay, if you want something from us, you have to give us something in return. I think you should leave it up to the parents, because
