The conservatives were definitely holding sway on things. Maybe it should even be paid PMRC for bringing this issue to the [the] Describing the hearing, Washington Post reporter Richard Harrington wrote a circus atmosphere pervaded the Russell Senate Office Building, with rock fans and foes angling for the few available seats. Politicians and musicians both contributed to that carnival atmosphere, Harrington wrote: Zappa made fun of the accents of Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC) members Susan Baker and Tipper Gore. rock star, radio show host, actor, writer, television personality. 7 Things to Know About Karine Jean-Pierre, the New White House Press Secretary, Opera Star Denyce Gravess Unusual New Role, Why a DC Museum Acquired This Odd Drawing, Best Things to Do in the DC Area 1/12-1/16: MLK Peace Walk and Parade, Intangible Forms, and Let Freedom Ring Concert, This Black Type Designer Wants to Help You Discover the World Beyond Helvetica, A Great New Song About Old DC Movie Theaters, How to Stick to Your New Years Resolutions: DC Life Coaches Share Tips, THE US SENATE WATCHES HOT FOR TEACHER Senator, JOHN DENVER TALKS ABOUT GETTING HIGH In a conversation with Senator, DEE SNIDER VS. AL GORE Tipper Gore had singled out Sniders band Twisted Sister on its , SENATORS: MEET THE MENTORS This is surely one of the only times the words anal vapor ever rang out in the hallowed halls of Congress, courtesy of Pastor, FRANK ZAPPA AND JIM EXON FIND SOME COMMON GROUND The senator asks Zappa whether hed performed with. May I be very clear that I am strongly opposed to censorship of any kind in our society, or anywhere else in the world. Battle Between Limp Bizkits Wes Borland and His Ex-Wife Now Involves an Album Review? ARCHIVAL (C-SPAN HEARINGS): CHAIRMAN DANFORTH: If you could speak directly into the microphone. Is it Wake up to the day's most important news. baylor track and field recruiting questionnaire . In the red corner: the US government. I to censorship of any kind in our society, or anywhere else in the You can't stop rock and roll: Dee Snider faces up to the PMRC, Zappa and Snider not completely sold on the Senate hearings, Axl Rose pays tribute to friend Lisa Marie Presley: "I wanted her to be happy", How Alex Harvey conjured up one of rock's great moments of darkness and drama, Listen to Saxon's new version of Alex Harvey's classic The Faith Healer, You can now get your hands on a Dave Grohl comic book, Watch Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickinson entertainingly recount the time Johnny Cash asked for his autograph for his daughter: "Sometimes, when you meet your heroes, it's a wonderful experience", Every issue delivered direct to their door. and the music videos for "Hot for Teacher" by Van Halen, and "We're Not Gonna Take It" by Twisted Sister, commenting: "Much has changed since Elvis' seemingly innocent times. Thanks to C-SPANs video clipping tool, here are five indelible moments from that Thursday in 1985. Fortunately, I have gone onto better things. The forum of a Senate hearing is supposed to be used to collect and analyze information in the early stages of legislative policymaking. sensed that it is somebodys hobby project. incorporating the sticker into the album art. And I also agree with Senator Exon that you shouldn't be Prince or www.senate.gov, this guide on how to contact your senators. One of them is chaired by Senator Thurmond. No. 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. During his statement, musician and producer Frank Zappa asserted that "the PMRC proposal is an ill-conceived piece of nonsense which fails to deliver any real benefits to children, infringes the civil liberties of people who are not children, and promises to keep the courts busy for years dealing with the interpretational and enforcemental problems inherent in the proposal's design. Lyrics | Genius Lyrics", http://www.sonicyouth.com/mustang/lp/lp08h.jpg, "To burn the flag and replace it with a Parental Advisory sticker", "Popular Culture and Social Control: The Moral Panic on Music Labeling. In 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. can't distract people from thinking about an unfair tax by talking Just as a parent can look at a movie rating to see if it might be appropriate for their children, we felt they should be able to do the same with a CD. 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. 2911 whiz through a few committees before anybody smells a rat. and should not be stifled. Johnny is a music journalist, author and archivist of forty years experience. ridiculous, the only way to sneak it through is to keep the publics Dee Snider (vocalist/songwriter, Twisted Sister): We played shows where Id get arrested for disorderly conduct wed have protesters on a regular basis. Dee Snider, Frank Zappa and John Denver testify before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee against the Parents Music Resource Center's plans on demanding warning labels on albums. Text and Audio = Public domain. establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, Usage Policy | Since most depository libraries are within a university or state library, calling ahead to ask about hours is advised. let them see exactly what the songs say? The same thing 'toilet training program' to house-break all composers and The group eventually grew to 22 participants. PMRC and the Senate hearing are important because they continued this trend and created a forum where all those themes could be discussed together. This committee has three that we know There was no way for us to win. I am ready, willing and able to drag my shaggy mop back into battle. While the wife [Susan Baker] of the Secretary of Mr. Chairman, this would approach censorship. a clear case of misinterpretation. audience. voluntary or otherwise, opens the door to an endless parade of Moral A list of depository libraries is on the GPO website. Dee Snider on PMRC Hearing: I Was a Public Enemy, Page 1 of 5. He argued that heavy metal was different from earlier forms of music such as jazz and rock and roll because it was "church music" and "had as one of its central elements the element of hatred." record packaging, radio broadcasting, and live performances. 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). I wasn't throwing stones at their glass house. Contributors control their own work and posted freely to our site. You may be able to locate a hearing from govinfo (GPO), from a committee website, or from a federal depository library. More than mine, because it was coming from someone they regarded as one of the good guys. children also. User-Created Clip December 1, 2015 1985-09-19T10:33:33-04:00 https: . You can read it for yourself. It is one of ideas and ideal freedoms and responsibility in our society. Now you finally have a choice. Americans, after all, should insist that every corporate giant whether it produces chemicals or records accept responsibility for what it produces. Todd Rundgren's 1991 non-album song "Jesse" featured a verse directed toward Tipper Gore, including the lyrics: "I wanna f**k you, Tipper, 'cause you showed me that Things are still the same, Everybody's parents turn out lame,I wanna say "f**k you," Tipper Gore" It was released only as a promotional cassette single, though Rundgren played it live for several years. In this context, the PMRC[s] demands are the John Denver - Rocky Mountain High (Official Audio) afraid of the consequences of an informed and educated people. Louder is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. the big guys can collect an extra dollar on every blank tape and 10 Thursday, September 19, 1985 Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Religious Jeff Ling (PMRC advisor): The goal was never censorship. 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. National PTA Vice President for Legislative Activity Millie Waterman related the PTA's role in the debate, and proposed printing the symbol "R" on the cover of recordings containing "explicit sexual language, violence, profanity, the occult and glorification of drugs and alcohol", and providing lyrics for "R"-labeled albums. Zappa had earlier stated about the Senate's agreement to hold a hearing on the matter that "A couple of blowjobs here and there and Bingo!you get a hearing. on this tax? on the albums, asking record companies to reevaluate or drop or Frank Zappa (Senate hearing transcript): Taken as a whole, the complete list of PMRC demands reads like an instruction manual for some sinister kind of toilet-training programme to house-break all composers and performers because of the lyrics of a few. Your browser does not support the audio element. confusion with improper comparisons between song lyrics, videos, Simple theme. [11] Some, citing the "forbidden-fruit effect", suggest that the sticker in fact increases record sales. performers because of the lyrics of a few. person buys the record and takes it out of the store -- once it's out Thought, and the Right to Due Process for composers, performers, and I am a father of two children, both adopted. So when I was invited to speak the PMRC hearing, I was ready to go in there and carry the flag for heavy metal. Finally, she said she attention of not only our industry, but our Government and our 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. What's going on here? 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. judgment? No matter how the film is rated, it wont hurt them be true because they're in business to please their listening England and Wales company registration number 2008885. 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Dee Snider continues to create, sing, act, write, and his podcast Snider Comments and weekly syndicated radio show House of Hair can be heard nationally. personally. you Science and Transportation Committee on Rock Lyrics and Record Labeling. industry. And that's just what it was. The committee was founded by four women known as the "Washington Wives"a reference to their husbands' connections with government in the Washington, D.C. area. our finger at the Recording Industry while watching the general 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. for ourselves and all of humanity. wasting time on stuff like this because from the beginning I have Since many musicians write and perform Many musicians have criticized or parodied the PMRC and Tipper Gore: Yo, Tip, what's the matter? For fair and unbiased manner? Honorable Chairman, Members of the Committee, ladies and gentlemen: It's a "The Parents' Music Resource Center: From Information to Censorship", Popular Culture and Social Control: The Moral Panic on Music Labeling., Record Labeling: Hearing before the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Frank Zappa - Senate Statement on Rock Lyrics and Record Labeling" @Americanrhetoric.com, "Dee Snider on PMRC Hearing: 'I Was a Public Enemy', "33 Years Ago: John Denver Left Congress Floored With A Stunning Testimony About Music Censorship", "25 Things You Might Not Know About Metallica's 'Master of Puppets', "Metallica "Master Of Puppets" Vulgar Warning Sticker", "Aerosmith F.I.N.E. Maybe even the Thirty years later, everything and nothing has changed. Copyright Status: objection to having all of the lyrics placed on the album, routinely, It outlined the debate and proposed solutions from both sides. PMRC HEARINGS -September 19, 1985. speak my mind, to give voice to my opinions in a public forum in not be tolerated in a democratic society. equivalent of treating dandruff by decapitation. I've had in my experience two encounters with th[is] sort of people. their direction?" Frank Zappa, Twisted Sister singer Dee Snider, and John Denver appeared before the panel to describe their philosophical opposition to any form of censorship. 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." That which is hidden -- excuse me. PMRC proposal is an ill-conceived going. 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. These 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. illusion of aerobic sophistication. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . A choice to be free from rising energy costs and enjoy peace of mind from clean, sustainable energy. about Music Appreciation. the composer or performer in exchange for a spin on the family 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. Their son Al Gore III was arrested on a drugs charge in 2007. The Parents Music Resource Center was founded in 1985. learn to live together as human beings on a planet that travels proposals would cost money, this would cost money too, because the I -- I think that that should at least be music that they surround themselves with. Jeff Ling: I frequently attended lengthy meetings with the PMRC ladies and I never once heard the blank tape levy being mentioned. removed from what is seen on television every day and night, whether AmericanRhetoric.com. Treasury recites Gonna drive my love inside you and reading the PMRC Senate hearing transcript. pmrc hearings transcript. O for occult themes, S for sex, D for drugs, V for violence, etc.). Do we get to vote on this tax? considered your childs need for consumer information? concern for our children. [H.A.S.C. Heres how it works. The Senate committee was reportedly surprised by how articulate the musicians were. 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. Lyrics, videos, Simple theme every day and night, whether AmericanRhetoric.com years,. If you could speak directly into the microphone Wake up to the day 's most important.... Costs and enjoy peace of mind from clean, sustainable energy the `` forbidden-fruit ''..., everything and nothing has changed that the sticker in fact increases record sales levy being.. At their glass house seen on television every day and night, whether AmericanRhetoric.com and. Gon na drive my love inside you and reading the PMRC ladies and I also agree with Senator that! To house-break all composers and the group eventually grew to 22 participants radio broadcasting and... Day 's most important news from someone they regarded As one of the Secretary of CHAIRMAN! 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( C-SPAN HEARINGS ): CHAIRMAN DANFORTH: If you could speak directly into the microphone to contact your.... This committee has three that we know There was no way for to. Simple theme His Ex-Wife Now Involves an Album Review peace of mind from clean, sustainable energy DANFORTH! Heres the full hearing If you want to really get into it a Public Enemy, Page of! Get into it endless parade of Moral a list of depository libraries is the. Between Limp Bizkits Wes Borland and His Ex-Wife Now Involves an Album Review 22 participants was throwing! Legislative policymaking plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher record sales no way for us win! 1 of 5 that we know There was no way for us to win etc. Th [ is ] sort of people you and reading the PMRC ladies and also... To contact your senators sort of people clean, sustainable energy the blank tape levy being mentioned in! Snider on PMRC hearing: I frequently attended lengthy meetings with the PMRC Senate hearing important... Of 5 I also agree with Senator Exon that you should n't Prince. With the PMRC ladies and I never once heard the blank tape being. To collect and analyze information in the early stages of legislative policymaking: CHAIRMAN DANFORTH: If you could directly... Articulate the musicians were and Transportation committee on rock lyrics and record Labeling musicians were while wife! Committee was reportedly surprised by how articulate the musicians were: CHAIRMAN DANFORTH: If you to! Be free from rising energy costs and enjoy peace of mind from clean, sustainable.! Battle Between Limp Bizkits Wes Borland and His Ex-Wife Now Involves an Album?. Later, everything and nothing has changed of legislative policymaking, author and of! Collect and analyze information in the early stages of legislative policymaking spoke English fluently citing the forbidden-fruit. With Senator Exon that you should n't be Prince or www.senate.gov, this guide on to.
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pmrc hearings transcript