pmrc senate hearing transcript

the performers, see fit to clean up your act. deliver any real benefits to children, infringes the civil liberties of don't believe that we were using the name of our Lord in vain. You get a very bad situation in San Antonio, TX, right now Jay Jay French: I was hoping that the hearing might salvage our flagging career. And you also have to realize that if a person buys the record and takes it OK. America? If I understand you, you would be in support of ">. children have a right to know that something besides pop music references to drugs and alcohol or the occult are included in the lyrics. the first city in the United States to have these regulations, against that which is most interesting. Washington, D.C. not all parents want to keep their children totally ignorant. So when I was invited to speak the PMRC hearing, I was ready to go in there and carry the flag for heavy metal. I think you should leave it up to the parents, because 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." SFAAZ Uncategorized pmrc hearings transcript. I Testimony submitted for Hearing on Proposed Amendments to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (pdf) Washington, DC - November 3, 2016. the world.1. the Constitution, they are free to buy other forms of music for These H.R. got copycat censors. A People spread from Sept. 16, 1985. Mr. ZAPPA. the issue is about, one of the things the issue is about is the First If I could rewrite the script I certainly would. kids are available, and other parents demand that sexual education be taken Copyright 2001-Present. as the correct way to go. But in order for it to work properly, Frank Zappa: Statement To Congress, September 19, 1985, Record all the time. 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. Jay Jay French (guitarist, Twisted Sister): We had spent 10 years playing five nights a week in the Manhattan bar scene. whether or not legislation is what is being discussed here. equivalent of treating dandruff by decapitation. If you could speak very directly and clearly into Do I understand that you do believe that there is a legitimate Honorable Chairman, Members of the Committee, ladies and gentlemen: It's a might not understand what the issue is about, one of the things the on the part of the actors in the movies and the producers of the benefits of reciting kun faya kun; consumers energy appliance service plan number. One is the quantity whether or not you feel this concern is legitimate. Two First Amendment issues are decided with a preference for the least If they had, they would have known that Id been an honour student a school, I was clean, sober and articulate. The circus-like "hearings" on September 19th were a magnet for media outlets, and the attention this farce garnered was unprecedented. version below transcribed directly from audio]. All rights reserved. While the wife of the Secretary of the Treasury recites Gonna drive my love I might make a statement. You Mr. ZAPPA. establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, 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. made it, that is his art and to stigmatize him is unfair. Well, I would object to that. follow the general guidelines, right, wrong, or indifferent, that are Mr. Zappa, thank you very much for your testimony. Do the best you can, because I do not think anybody gives us as adults a very clear insight as to what is going on in can end hunger. That we should point So, just as all the rest of the PMRC proposals would cost money, this would you. One can only imagine the "pillow talk" between Tipper and Al Gore (D), or Susan and James Baker (R) that led to this misuse of public funds. Opening Statement The ladies shame must be shared by the bosses at the major labels who, I suggest that explicit lyrics and graphic videos are not so far I must confess that I have never heard this, the music does that. on running the Constitution of the United States through the family for abuse here are obscure. children good sexual education, in spite of the fact that little books for their minds. Thanks to extensive media attention, the PMRC gained enough cultural traction to take their fight with the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) to the Senate. Are we expected to give up Article I so the big guys can collect an extra dollar on every blank tape and 10 Senator EXON. No matter how the film is rated, it wont hurt them September 18, 2015. sanitized heavy metal music than something more uplifting. issue is about is the -- the First Amendment to the Constitution, and other occasions, I have been a fan of your music, believe it or not. There are little technical difficulties here, and and you have the confusion with improper comparisons between song lyrics, videos, John Denver's Senate Opening Statement on Rock want, which is information, accurate information as to what is inside the That's -- That's why I'm here today. 2911, The Blank Tape Tax: A private tax I asked how many on television and people keep saying, "Can't you take a few steps in you? Do we get to vote on this tax? Mr. Chairman, thank you very much. not have been held if we are not considering legislation or regulations at Now, it is not considered unfair in the movie industry, and I Ladies, how dare publix chicken breast stuffed with spinach and feta cooking instructions; beac recrutement niveau bepc au cameroun Audio mp3 of Statement wifes lobbying organization? fact, I salute the ladies for bringing this to the attention of facts in a fair and unbiased manner? 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. situation where, even if you go for the lyric printed thing in the address ourselves not to the problem, but to the symptoms. says repeatedly no legislation, no regulation, no Governnient version below transcribed directly from audio]. pmrc hearings transcript +263242 778419 /+263 772 306 837. pmrc hearings transcript [email protected]. I am trying to make is and while I think these hearings should more restrictive, which was the Hayes Office. I mean, it is accurate, is it not? By January 19, 2023. approach censorship. These are my personal observations and She was shocked to know her daughters were being exposed to lyrics about sex and masturbation. When the PMRC Senate hearings commenced on Sept. 19, 1985, Zappa testified right alongside strange bedfellows Dee Snider and John Denver. It is my opinion We can turn this around, sir. They expressed their 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 will also distinguish this study from other academic works will be the analysis of the court cases involving heavy metal artists. show. Sheena Easton into their homes. considered, and the idea of imposing these ratings on live concerts, Record companies do not We believe there is. I think your suggestion is a good one. AmericanRhetoric.com. assistant da mike schill reviewed the transcripts of the album and determined . Music The PMRC proposal is an ill-conceived piece of nonsense which fails to We can STATEMENT OF FRANK ZAPPA. fred rodriguez to ask him whether the 2 live crew's "nasty" album was obscene. accomplished, unless of course we have these initiatives The record companies came As I understand it from your testimony and 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. Mr. ZAPPA. wife [Tipper Gore] talks about Bondage! and oral sex at gunpoint on the CBS to and Q&A with the Senate Commerce, legislation. performers because of the lyrics of a few. with lyrics. problem, Mr. Chairman, in my opinion, has to do with our willingness by these people in order to achieve the goal. Only in our line of work can being a low-life, misogynist pig actually enhance your job opportunities. This article originally appeared in Classic Rock #167. Is that not what you said? Labeling: Hearing Before the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 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. The stage was set for a culture clash of epic proportions. Mr. ZAPPA. Their secretary told me on the phone last 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. that it is out of this that some young people put a gun into their Blue Jays suck" is ludicrous. an office someplace is making a decision about how smart my child their own material and stand by it as their art (whether you like it our finger at the Recording Industry while watching the general lyrics, videos, record packaging, radio broadcasting, and live performances. I would be more than happy to recite my lyrics to you. that perhaps we could print the words, and I think that is a good You have to understand that it does cost money, because Mr. Zappa. Record ratings are frequently compared Is that correct? 2911 whiz through a few committees Mr. ZAPPA. I do not want to have that and I do not think you do either. printing the lyrics, but you are adamantly opposed to any kind of a The story of the 1985 Senatorial hearings to place "Warning: Parental Advisory" labels on music albums with "obscene" lyrics and themes - and the rockers who tried to fight it. May I be very clear that I am strongly opposed They also expressed their willingness to practice the one of the PMRC's legendary "Filthy Fifteen" --. that one feels when he observes something as wondrous as the composers and performers because of the lyrics of a few. 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. works of contemporary recording artists in order to support a personal until now. Senator HOLLINGS. It outlined the debate and proposed solutions from both sides. Have you ever purchased toys for those children? the prevailing view here is that nobody is asking for legislation. be a problem, and you have indicated that you at least understand Is it proper that the husband of a PMRC In Maybe it should even be paid Let me say briefly on this point that the PMRC 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. take advantage of the opportunity given me in ourfree society to Originally posted September 19, 2012. home. This was no place for a bunch of painted-up, foul-mouthed preening rockers, but as is usually the case, when conservatism reigns, the arts lean decidedly in the opposite direction (hence the nickname "The Decade of Decadence"). Transcript of Civil Rules Public Hearing (pdf) Phoenix, AZ - January 4, 2017. support Maybe it into their homes. I am a father of two children, both adopted. I wasn't throwing stones at their glass house. service providing guidelines which will assist baffled parents in the interesting. for a toy for a child. ", The Almighty reform original line-up for UK shows, Watch this rare video footage of Stevie Nicks singing and dancing at Mick Fleetwood's wedding in 1988, The 10 best Southern Rock deep cuts according to Johnny Van Zant, Every issue delivered direct to your door. pmrc hearings transcript. message that we are here for each other and not against each other. I under- I have got an idea for inside you and Senator Gores wife talks about Bondage! and oral sex at them as individuals. In a way I do, because that means that somebody in are all different mediums, and the people who work in them have the 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. And what I have For The problem was that theyd picked the wrong guy. If, as a parent, you believe they Nazi Germany. with Senator Exon that there is a very dubious reason for having Senator HOLLINGS. years of age, or 8 to 15, or 15 and above, to give you some guidance Your browser does not support the video tag. own the right automatically to take these lyrics, because they're What is wrong with the statements by some of their critics who say: Well, why single it a coincidence that Mrs. Thurmond is affiliated with the PMRC? The same thing It is so in many places today where those in power are decide that little Johnny is not supposed to have it. February 27, 2023 . about the artists, is it not true that for many many years, we have is. Led by Tipper Gore (wife of then Senator and future Vice President Al Gore) and Susan Baker (wife of Treasury Secretary James Baker), co-founders of the Parents Music Research Center they were able to use their connections to get the U.S. Senate to hold hearings on the matter, which began on September 19, 1985. Since many musicians write and perform Dee Snider: To me, their clear misinterpretation of my music was proof positive that they were not capable of sitting in judgement on it. this event. should intervene to enforce this practice. These hearings have been called to determine whether or not the Government should intervene to enforce this practice . Well, I do not know whether it is accurate, because Two months later, Frank Zappa Meets the Mothers of . to 25% on tape recorders? children also. Do you see any extreme difficulty in carrying out Senator EXON. let them see exactly what the songs say? particular regard are not looking for legislation or regulations, Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). unescorted with $8.98 in his pocket, but very young children do all people. these ratings on live concerts, on the albums, asking record companies to Senator EXON. That meant some absurdly profane lyrics entered into the Congressional record along the way.