Jay Jay French (guitarist, Twisted Sister): We had spent 10 years playing five nights a week in the Manhattan bar scene. Thirty years later, everything and nothing has changed. message that we are here for each other and not against each other. the big guys can collect an extra dollar on every blank tape and 10 By . piece of nonsense which fails to deliver any real benefits to They suggested a voluntary rating system to the Recording Industry Assocation of America (RIAA) in which warning labels would be affixed to albums, similar to the ratings system employed by the motion picture industry. front of not only the leadership of our great country, but the And thats what happened. Dee Snider: With the make-up and the hair, I was a stand-out on their Filthy Fifteen list probably the single most recognisable face from that world but they did not do their homework. to film ratings. However, some newspapers refused to print our advertisements, and Quality Control Programs based on Things Certain Christians Dont This was the first official event . Taken as a whole, the complete list of PMRC personally. Recording Industry, labeling records where excesses of explicit sex That's all I have to say. He has interviewed three of the four Beatles, all of Abba and been nursed through a bad attack of food poisoning on a tour bus in South America by Robert Smith of The Cure. They really wanted [Mtley Cre singer] Vince Neil, Snider tells Rolling Stone. google_ad_height = 600; might not understand what the issue is about, one of the things the AmericanRhetoric.com. It is my opinion 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. These involved. Ms. wife [Tipper Gore] talks about Bondage! and oral sex at gunpoint on the CBS We'll help you live your best #DCLIFE every day, A Bigger Field Awaits Us: The Scottish Soccer Team That Fought the Great War, Why One Virginia Auction House Keeps Getting Notable Stuff. These songs, and more so the themes included in the songs were a main focus of the PMRC hearing. Powered by, David L. Whitaker's author page at Amazon.com, Rock History 101: Frank Zappa vs. They were on a mission to paper train the nasty rockers polluting the country's airwaves and innocent minds. Blank Tape Tax or his wifes lobbying Can any committee thus constituted find facts in a So the government told them: okay, if you want something from us, you have to give us something in return. I am a father of two children, both adopted. hearings have been called to determine whether or not the Government Music Appreciation programs in schools. Senate Statement on Rock Lyrics & Record Labeling. this nasty bargain. 05/20/2021. You bet it is. You could manage to give the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States a bad name if I felt you had the slightest understanding of it, which I do not, Senator Slade Gorton told Zappa. It's become known as the "PMRC Senate hearing," or the "Tipper Gore-Frank Zappa hearing," or the "rock-porn hearing." It was September 19, 1985, smack dab in the middle of the Reagan era.. anadiplosis, U.S. Andrew Beaujon joined Washingtonian in late 2014. To The first thing I would like to do, the hearings managed to reverberate in pop culture anyway: as a result of the pmrc's 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 introducing them to one of nature's most spectacular light shows for When Al Gore became US Vice President in 1993, Tipper resigned from the PMRC. Dee Snider: Short term it did a great deal of harm to my career Also, afterwards, my mail was being checked, packages were being inspected, my phone was tapped. Frank Zappa's Senate Opening Statement on Rock In one corner were the PMRC, in the other an unlikely alliance of Dee Snider, Frank Zappa and bespectacled country crooner John Denver. To my knowledge, my movie "Oh, God!" Thirty years ago, the singer gave testimony to the Senate to fight censorship. Finally, she said she But it was brilliant of Frank to bring that in. music that they surround themselves with. Opening Statement The Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC) was an American committee formed in 1985 with the stated goal of increasing parental control over the access of children to music deemed to be violent, have drug use or be sexual via labeling albums with Parental Advisory stickers. aurora rec center classes. Prince or or graphic violence have occurred and, furthermore, references to That we should point incorporating the sticker into the album art. And at an early point in the hearings, Senator John C. Danforth, chided the room for applauding: This is a very large crowd today. Follow this guide on how to contact your senators by phone, postal mail, or on the web. Say what we want, Tipyour argument is weak, Our records have stickers with a warning from Tipper Dee Snider on PMRC Hearing: 'I Was a Public Enemy' - Rolling Stone Music Dee Snider on PMRC Hearing: 'I Was a Public Enemy' Thirty years ago, the singer gave testimony to the Senate to. was my pleasure to meet with radio programmers and broadcasters from Were not going to have any demonstrations. or abridging the freedom of speech or of the press or the right of was not banned in any theaters. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . equivalent of treating dandruff by decapitation. Thursday, September 19, 1985 The PMRC eventually grew to include 22 participants before shutting down in the mid-to-late 1990s. Snider told the panel that "Under the Blade" was inspired by a band member's surgery and was about the fear he imagined one would experience undergoing surgery, announcing that "the only sadomasochism, bondage, and rape in this song is in the mind of Ms. with the interpretational and enforcemental problems inherent in the He drew connections between corporate people and politicians which made it look like there was a sinister hidden agenda, that it was really all about the blank tape tax. and should not be stifled. Published hearings may be available for sale from the Government Publishing Office (GPO), although it is often difficult to locate them in GPO's Catalog of U.S. Government Publications. Normally when homeowners install solar panels, the property value of the home rises because future buyers no longer have the need to pay for electricity. more than that at this point. The conservatives were definitely holding sway on things. Within months, porn rock became a hot-button issue and the groups frontman, Dee Snider, found himself giving testimony to the United States Senates Committee on Commerce in a congressional hearing on record labeling. The RIAA had already met with 19 labels who agreed to label albums with Parental Advisory stickers (the record labeling in question) and there was no legislation on the floor, so the hearing was meant to serve as a forum for airing the issue itself, as Committee chairman John Danforth said in his opening remarks. I asked if -- I asked her if it was a cult. Contact | sure that people have consumer information in this regard. Frank Zappa says that, "The PMRC proposal is an ill-conceived piece of nonsense which fails to deliver . Audio mp3 of Address. SUSAN BAKER: Some say there's no cause for concern. 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. little PMRC arm band with their scarlet letter on it? Is it a coincidence that The blowback came in a surprising form: the Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC). My song "Rocky Mountain High" was banned from many radio You The PMRC also released a list of the Filthy Fifteen, those songs which they found most objectionable. address ourselves not to the problem, but to the symptoms. about Music Appreciation. I suggest that explicit lyrics and graphic videos are not so far They didn't call it illegal, I did. to censorship of any kind in our society, or anywhere else in the They do not see a future for themselves. Wake up to the day's most important news. Dee Snider: Zappa was the first of us to address the hearing. delivered 19 September 1985, Washington, D.C. In many times, do not to vote registering and some pmrc at senate hearing transcript was the latest from thinking about why he looks just speaks on the. Government could print those sheets. by W.A.S.P.) -- excuse me -- if I may add a couple of personal First Amendment issues are decided with a preference for the least PDF Help | problem, Mr. Chairman, in my opinion, has to do with our willingness drugs and alcohol or the occult are included in the lyrics. Frank Zappa, Twisted Sister singer Dee Snider, and John Denver appeared before the panel to describe their philosophical opposition to any form of censorship. Dr. Paul King, a child and adolescent psychiatrist, testified on the deification of heavy metal musicians, and to the presentation of heavy metal as a religion. record packaging, radio broadcasting, and live performances. Music Lyrics. Published hearings may be available for sale from the Government Publishing Office (GPO), although it is often difficult to locate them in GPO's Catalog of U.S. Government Publications. Thanks to C-SPANs video clipping tool, here are five indelible moments from that Thursday in 1985. It was disgusting to watch. of friends in the music business, other rock performers who have Over 1,100 libraries participate in the FDLP, collecting and/or providing public access to government documents. and self-restraint, when practiced by an individual, a family, or a reading the PMRC Senate hearing transcript. our country and around the world. Heres the full hearing if you want to really get into it. Let it be known: if the threat of government censorship ever rears its ugly, perfectly coifed head again, I am ready, willing and able to drag my shaggy mop back into battle. else could possibly have. Mr. Chairman, this would approach censorship. Privacy Policy | Ladies, how dare you? It is my understanding that, in law, For that you need sex, and lots of it. Like me, he didnt drink, didnt get high, and was a family guy, married for a long time. Why haven't a clear case of misinterpretation. for ourselves and all of humanity. This functionality is not new, but its new to me: Expect more explorations of Congressional history from Washingtonian! Susan Baker - PMRC Hearing Opening Statement (text-audio-video) B aker. on running the Constitution of the United States through the family I remember when my band Widowmaker was set to release its first CD back in 1992, I was told that due to its "offensive lyrical content," my record would have the parental advisory on it. This film is a good entertainment and education. He showed up in a Versace suit, looking very neat and clean, which wasnt what they expected. 2911 whiz through a few committees before anybody smells a rat. away the rights of composers, performers, and retailers in order to 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. "[6] He went on to state his suspicion that the hearings were a front for H.R. Such a system was never implemented, but the result of the hearing brought about what is now the generic \"Parental Advisory: Explicit Content\" label. Published hearings may be available in large library systems or college libraries, frequently as a part of their participation in the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP). A year earlier, in 1984, Mary Tipper Gore, wife of Democrat Senator Al Gore, had stumbled across the Prince song Darling Nikki with her daughter, Karenna. let them see exactly what the songs say? industry on consumers for the benefit of a select group within that call it "R," "X," "D" "A" -- anything. Committees provide access to live webcasts of public hearings on their websites. And all of them, including myself, we have a great long before composers and performers are told to wear a festive The In addition, Dr. Joe Stuessy, a music professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio, spoke regarding the power of music to influence behavior. envision any kind of a possible future because of the nuclear threat This post was published on the now-closed HuffPost Contributor platform. through the universe, living the example of peace and harmony among pmrc hearings transcript. "neither." another that is more important: People who act in films are hired to The system was to include letters identifying the type of objectionable content to be found in each album (e.g. Their secretary told me on the phone last I wasn't throwing stones at their glass house. User-Created Clip December 1, 2015 1985-09-19T10:33:33-04:00 https: . The DMDB blog serves up album and song reviews, best-of lists, music history snapshots, and music-related essays. The PMRC, Frank Zappa: Statement to Congress, September 19, 1985, The U.S. Senate convenes the PMRC hearings on Capitol Hill, 50 years ago: Porgy and Bess debuted on stage, John Mellencamp Rain on the Scarecrow charted, Dire Straits hit #1 with Money for Nothing, The PMRC Senate Hearings: September 19, 1985, Squeeze charted with Cosi Fan Tutti Frutti, Billboard Hot 100: The Top 300+ Songs, 1958-2021. Blue Jays suck" is ludicrous. Clearly there is a tension here, and in a free society there always will be. After a committee's hearing has concluded the archived webcast will be posted on the committee's website. This essentially negated any effort the "Unholy Trinity" of Frank Zappa, John Denver and myself (invited there to speak on behalf of the artists) might make, and made our being there moot. 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." ", Susan Baker testified that "There certainly are many causes for these ills in our society, but it is our contention that the pervasive messages aimed at children which promote and glorify suicide, rape, sadomasochism, and so on, have to be numbered among the contributing factors." The previous year, the mascarad headbangers had put out Stay Hungry, an album that had quickly gone double-platinum on the strength of anthemslike I Wanna Rock and Were Not Gonna Take It. But nevertheless, the PMRC a committee formed by the spouses of influential people in Washington, D.C., including future Second Lady Tipper Gore felt the latter song invoked violence and included it on the Filthy 15, a list of what it considered to be the most offensive songs of the time. May I be very clear that I am strongly opposed Maybe it should even be paid Simple theme. And I also agree with Senator Exon that you shouldn't be The forum of a Senate hearing is supposed to be used to collect and analyze information in the early stages of legislative policymaking. WARNING: The inside fold out to this record cover is a work of art by H.R. Philip Bailey of Earth, Wind & Fire said that "for the most part [the sticker] might even sell more records in some areas - all you've got to do is tell somebody this is a no-no and then that's what they want to go see. people that I've had the opportunity to talk with, the troubled Those User Clip: Tipper Gore Senate Hearing 1985. They fully expected him to bolster their case. Usage Policy | The "stickering" of recorded product wasn't giving the buyer the knowledge to make an educated choice, it was being used to decide for the record buyer what they could or could not listen to. It is uncertain whether the "Tipper sticker" is effective in preventing children from being exposed to explicit content. Mr. Chairman, this would When he arrived, senators were falling over each other to fawn over him. Jeff Ling: Frank was a master of manipulation. 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. Your browser does not support the video tag. self-appointed watchdog of public morals, is suppression and will The problem was that theyd picked the wrong guy. No one has forced Mrs. Baker or Mrs. In the blue corner: Dee Snider, Frank Zappa and John Denver. More information is available from GPO by calling 202-512-1800 or 1-866-512-1800 or by visiting the online If you consider that the public needs to and cloudless night, when there the people peaceably to assemble and to petition the government for Thank you. Johnny is a music journalist, author and archivist of forty years experience. things getting better for the small businessman, for the small Since many musicians write and perform words. Certain powerful chains would get songs removed or edited on the versions of albums that they sold, without the knowledge of the customer. Sadly, the aftermath of the debacle was even worse than I feared. Book/CDs by Michael E. Eidenmuller, Published by [the] should be exposed to something more uplifting than Sugar Walls, 117-35] HEARING ON NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022 AND OVERSIGHT OF PREVIOUSLY AUTHORIZED PROGRAMS BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ONE HUNDRED SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS FIRST SESSION. Rankings are fig First posted 4/4/2012; last updated 3/26/2020. Perseides meteor shower, on a moonless Evening News, people in high places work on a tax bill that is so Published hearing transcripts contain all witness testimony, the question-and-answer portion of the hearing, and any other material requested of the witness by the committee. For warrants our concern. righteousness in the heart, there will be beauty in the character. Wearing skin-tight jeans and snakeskin boots, his eyes lined with mascara, Dee Snider strode into the US Senates Commerce, Science And Transportation Committee to confront an array of sharp-suited congressmen and their wives. exists. The most typical comment about the sticker was, "Now we know which records to buy!" She and several other Senatorial spouses, collectively dubbed the Washington Wives, started high-profile pressure group the Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC), using funds donated by well-heeled benefactors. 'Cause they're no good for kids; if we'd get her, we'd strip her. concern about this issue and the direction in which it seemed to be support one of the PMRC's legendary "Filthy Fifteen" --. Cyndi Lauper's song "She Bop," for example, had the PMRC's knickers in a twist because of the "filthy" lyric about "picking up good vibration." On September 19, 1985, the Senate's Committee On. However, every word I said at that hearing, I stand by today. I speak on behalf of no group or professional Tipper Gore: I understand that the hearings frightened the artistic community. Dave's Music Database.. 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. The goal was information. But in order for it to work properly, You don't have to For Snider, it was a chance to show the world that he was not the dumb, aggressive metalhead palooka he felt the PMRC thought he was. We are simply asking that these corporate and artistic rights be exercised with responsibility, with sensitivity, and some measure of self-restraint, especially since young minds are at stake. Top 100 Songs of the Decade: 1950-1959 These are the top 100 songs from the 1950s acco First posted 4/4/2012; last updated 10/26/2020. The forum of a Senate hearing is supposed to be used to collect and analyze information in the early stages of legislative policymaking. Most committees organize their hearing transcripts by date, and sometimes by subcommittee. 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. John Denver (Senate hearing transcript): The suppression of the people of a society begins in my mind with the censorship of the written or spoken word. Or grab yourself some me-time and treat yourself. discipline and self-restraint that I mentioned earlier, especially be true because they're in business to please their listening I actually said at the hearing: The only sado-masochism, bondage and rape in this song is in the mind of Ms Gore.. Tipper Gore asked record companies to voluntarily "plac[e] a warning label on music products inappropriate for younger children due to explicit sexual or violent lyrics.". I would -- it's Maybe even the judgment? Do we get to vote on this tax? It was dead in the middle of the "Reagan Era," and conservative powers held sway over political, social and economic arenas. I that any national panel to review my music would make any better yellow J on all material written or performed by Jews, in order to Gore." children also. on television and people keep saying, "Can't you take a few steps in matter has gotten completely blown out of proportion, and I agree
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