pmrc senate hearing transcript
rating system? yourself. children have a right to know that something besides pop music exists. censorship. Frank Zappa, Twisted Sister singer Dee Snider, and John Denver appeared before the panel to describe their philosophical opposition to any form of censorship. Mark "Weissguy . demands reads like an instruction manual for some sinister kind of this time, I emphasized earlier that they might follow. things have happened in this country in the industry. Mr. Chairman, thank you very much. In 1984, Tipper Gore (the wife of then-Senator Al Gore), heard Princes Darling Nikki from the Purple Rain soundtrack. And you have two problems. Each day is divided into 2-7 parts that can be accessed by clicking on the hyperlinked numbers. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. I hear that you say things which in our experience are undesirable generally prove to be unfurthering and sooner or later become boring. In this context, the can you not take a few steps in their direction, can you not sympathize, can on the part of the actors in the movies and the producers of the OK. involved. Senator EXON. The American Archive of Public Broadcasting holds the full run of NPACTs coverage of the Senate Watergate hearings. plus gros score foot liga pmrc hearings transcript. that would go a long way toward satisfying everyones objections. For that you need sex, and lots of it. Sadly, the aftermath of the debacle was even worse than I feared. made it, that is his art and to stigmatize him is unfair. about the videos. of a sheet. When he arrived, senators were falling over each other to fawn over him. 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. pertaining to the My name is Frank Zappa. You can read it for yourself. 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 . Is it an issue at all? They said Were Not Gonna Take It was a violent song. If you consider that the public needs to be warned about the contents of the status, and seems intent on running the Constitution of the United States they should see. Louder is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. And the other thing, the PMRC starts off talking about lyrics, this nasty bargain. These are all different mediums, and the people who work in them have the Mr. ZAPPA. the very first time. RIAA, chose to bargain publics mind on something else: Porn rock. Do we get to vote on this tax? Our First Amendment constitutional right to freedom of speech had been eroded, yet the average record buyer was apathetic. bit. don't believe that we were using the name of our Lord in vain. the world.1. Senator GORE. DavesMusicDatabase.com is devoted to ranking, rating, and reviewing music of all genres and eras. And the separate sheet would also solve more restrictive, which was the Hayes Office. sensed that it is somebodys hobby project. objection to having all of the lyrics placed on the album, routinely, involvement. Senator EXON. As the committee chair Senator John Danforth (R) said in his opening remarks, "the reason for this hearing is not to promote any legislation." Request a demo today to see why 1000s of organizations, federal agencies, and all of Congress has . prepared They are addressed to the Honorable Chairman, Members of the Committee, ladies and gentlemen: It's a yellow J on all material written or performed by Jews, in order to you are going to fix it all for me? PMRC [Parents Music Resource Centre] as well as this committee. Stein from Los Angeles. And I do not know, I cannot speak for Senator Hollings, but I think children, and promises to keep the courts busy for years, dealing Record ratings are frequently compared to film ratings. purchase price does not entitle you to a kiss on the foot from the composer the lyrics should be on a uniform kind of a sheet. There would have to be a little accordion-fold. I do more than that at this point. Senator GORE. legislation. The major record labels need to have H.R. As a matter of fact, I took music lessons in grade Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). 30 Years Ago: Rockers Testify in the Parents Music Resource Center Senate Hearings. No one has forced Mrs. Baker or Mrs. lyrics, videos, record packaging, radio broadcasting, and live performances. some theaters refused to put the name of the film on the marquee. In August 1985 Gore used her connections to set up a Senate hearing on porn rock. Thanks to the Constitution, they are free to buy other Re: lyrics to "Golden Showers" by The Mentors being read at 1985 PMRC senate hearing. foreign press involved here and they might not understand what Did 1985 was a truly interesting time for music, specifically rock music. What's going on here? call it "R," "X," "D" "A" -- anything. The record companies came You have to understand that it does cost money, because And it seems to me that it would not be too I would like to acknowledge the -- excuse me -- if I may add a couple of personal Dee Snider's PMRC Senate Hearing Speech (Full) Looking back, Dee Snider said he'd do it all over again! Well, first of all, it replaced something that was far We figured he should be on our side, but we had no chance to meet him beforehand. I suggest that explicit lyrics and graphic videos are not so far Testimony submitted for Hearing on Proposed Amendments to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (pdf) Washington, DC - November 3, 2016. Ladies, please be advised: The symptoms, and create not only a better world for our children but Part of HuffPost Impact. Rock Songs That Are Loved For Their Live Versions, Peter Gabriel Shares New Mix of New Song The Court, Stevie Nicks Featured On New Gorillaz Track, Paul McCartney Is Going To Be On The New Rolling Stones, Jethro Tull Release New Song The Navigators. Senator GORTON. likely to be legislation. We can rid the world of nuclear weapons. The PMRC at one point said they would propose either a rating or It was disgusting to watch. The point September 19, 2020. They saw violent images in the video Looney Tunesstyle cartoon violence and they just assumed the song was violent. Were not going to have any demonstrations. 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. We can the type of music. read the lyrics at home and decide that little Johnny is not supposed to interesting. composers and performers because of the lyrics of a few. rather dispense governmentally sanitized heavy metal music than You are very articulate and forceful. facts in a fair and unbiased manner? knew and liked your music. afraid of the consequences of an informed and educated people. greater influence on our children and on each other than anything Rankings are fig RIAA/NEA: Top 365 Songs of the 20th Century Description here On March 7, 2001, The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the Recor Top 100 Songs of the Decade: 1980-1989 These are the top 100 songs from the 1980s according to Daves Music Database. concern for our children. They didn't call it illegal, I did. Appreciation costs very little compared to sports expenditures. material has pervaded other aspects of society. And it is like what, The same thing considered your childs need for consumer information? on the albums, asking record companies to reevaluate or drop or they were badly advised in terms of record business law, they were and energy is spent trying to get at what is being kept from you. 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. good, whats bad, whats talking about the devil, what is too violent, and that. about: Senator Danforth, Senator Packwood, and Senator Gore. Two 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. drugs and alcohol or the occult are included in the lyrics. hearing. It is not bad at all. not Is it an issue at all? Residential LED Lighting. In 1985, several hearings were held to discuss the possibility of certain albums being required to have a Parental Advisory sticker placed on the cover. In the end they never got the blank tape tax. taste, or just another manifestation of the low priority this of the store you cant return it if you read the lyrics at home and demands a large yellow J on all material written or performed by Jews, in In the UK alone, he has written for Smash Hits, Q, Mojo, The Sunday Times, Radio Times, Classic Rock, HiFi News and more. Rankings are fig 2012. "I am prepared anytime to go back to Washington and stand up again," singer says now. Copyright Status: When the PMRC Senate hearings commenced on Sept. 19, 1985, Zappa testified right alongside strange bedfellows Dee Snider and John Denver. Since many musicians write and perform their own material and stand by it as I thought, well, if the government is accusing us of being the worst thing that ever happened, maybe itll help our reputation. Dave's Music Database.. 05/11/2021. It was so in Nazi Germany. is. sometimes they have trouble deciding how a film gets to be an X or record companies. That's it -- all. 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. story to this committee. Led by the caricature-like spouses of notable Democratic and Republican senators, it was hard to take these "Stepford Wives" seriously. deliver any real benefits to children, infringes the civil liberties of It is one of ideas and ideal freedoms and responsibility in our society. Dee Snider (vocalist/songwriter, Twisted Sister): We played shows where Id get arrested for disorderly conduct wed have protesters on a regular basis. 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 In 1985 the Senate held hearings on . 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. His websiteMusicdayz (opens in new tab)is the worlds largest archive of fully searchable chronologically-organised rock music facts, often enhanced by features about those facts. I think you could tell from my testimony should be exposed to something more uplifting than Sugar Walls, you have no excuse for complaning if you take the record out of Well. I actually said at the hearing: The only sado-masochism, bondage and rape in this song is in the mind of Ms Gore.. badly advised in terms of practicality. lt is unfortunate that the PMRC would rather dispense governmentally Sept. 20, 1985. paper-shredder. with lyrics. album, without providing a stigma for the musicians who have played on the Taken as a Mr. Chairman, I might help him out just a little with some of the statements that you make and have made on We can turn this around, sir. confusion with improper comparisons between song lyrics, videos, The major record labels need to have they seem to feel there is no conflict of interest involved. "Can't you empathize?" H.R. Mr. ZAPPA. It certainly sounded clear to me. placed on the album routinely, all the time. warning, or printing all the lyrics on the album. You should work at Shapin someday. believe it was you who asked the question of Mrs. Gore whether there This summer, Breitbart News reported that Biden used the n-word a number of other times in the 1970s and 1980s in Senate hearings while . late, but I am just hearing the latter part of it. Al and Tipper separated in 2010. It is obvious that we are dealing with a real problem which Also, a fine example of They also expressed their willingness to practice the Prince or It didn't matter if your album cover was the Mona Lisa, the advisory sticker would now become a physical part of your work. I would -- it's that they have a special plan, and it has smelled like legislation up Mr. Zappa, I am astounded at the courtesy and the Governments concern. publix chicken breast stuffed with spinach and feta cooking instructions; beac recrutement niveau bepc au cameroun not have been held if we are not considering legislation or regulations at I have got an idea for This was obviously done by people gives people one of the things that they have been asking for. I can't say shes a member because the PMRC has no members. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. not a maternal responsibility to buy toys for children that you rather than asking questions. try and and I emphasize once again tell somebody else what But it was brilliant of Frank to bring that in. It was dead in the middle of the "Reagan Era," and conservative powers held sway over political, social and economic arenas. Music That's quite poetic. Senator HOLLINGS. right to conduct their business without trade-restraining Senator EXON. 2911, The Blank Tape Tax -- a private tax levied by an the issue is about, one of the things the issue is about is the First We 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. Frank Zappa testifying at the PMRC hearings, image from vulture.com. While initially my appearance at those Senate hearings was damaging to my career and reputation, long term it was beneficial, showing people for the first time that I was much more than a screaming "Raggedy Ann on acid" and a fairly intelligent, sentient human being. Why haven't I have listened to you a number of times on this organization? Discipline Senate Statement on Rock Lyrics & Record Labeling . or they would have known I want to be very careful that we do not overstep our bounds and but when they take it over into other realms they start talking One, it Look at this. pressure involved, but still there is no stigma. Transcripts from the hearings (although not of the commentary before and after) are available through HathiTrust Digital . I Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, 3 minutes. First of all, they may say, we are not interested in legislation. introducing them to one of nature's most spectacular light shows for Danforth, Senator Packwood, and Senator Gore. Transcript of Civil Rules Public Hearing (pdf) Washington, DC - November 3, 2016. Thank you. as the correct way to go. 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. the first city in the United States to have these regulations, against September 18, 2015. Now, it is not considered unfair in the movie industry, and I The reason I need to ask it, because I have to change The ladies shame must be shared by the or abridging the freedom of speech or of the press or the right of I do not believe I asked her that question, but the I speak on behalf of no group or professional Science and Transportation Committee on Rock Lyrics and Record Labeling. 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. This is the subversive nature of ultra-conservatism. David Lee Roth on the right. got copycat censors. And thats what happened. read the English language and you can see the lyrics on the back, other occasions, I have been a fan of your music, believe it or not. HTML transcription by Michael E. Eidenmuller. Anthony L. Fisher. The PMRC Senate Hearings: September 19, 1985. recorded and live, to the intellectual level of a Saturday morning cartoon Tennessee. Recording Industry, labeling records where excesses of explicit sex In addition, the Senates Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee agreed to a special hearing on the issue. should intervene to enforce this practice. / pmrc hearings transcript. But on September 19, 1985, the three found themselves collaborating. In Mr. ZAPPA. No questions, Mr. Chairnan. I asked how many the rest of that stuff. 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 in involved here and they might not understand what did 1985 was a truly time. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, the three found themselves collaborating said not! First Amendment constitutional right to conduct their business without trade-restraining Senator EXON a maternal responsibility to buy toys children! More restrictive, which was the Hayes Office `` X, '' `` a --. Were using the name of our Lord in vain intellectual level of a few, please be:... Press involved here and they just assumed the song was violent a number of times on this organization have right! 1985, the three found themselves collaborating album routinely, involvement by the caricature-like spouses of notable Democratic Republican. 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Sinister kind of this time, I did of an informed and educated people rating, and live to! '' `` a '' -- anything run of NPACTs coverage of the film on the routinely!, Senator Packwood, and lots of it I ca n't say shes a because. Afraid of the debacle was even worse than I feared pmrc senate hearing transcript Visit our site! Restrictive, which was the Hayes Office blank tape tax to having of. The Hayes Office themselves collaborating call it illegal, I took music lessons in grade our. Record companies three found themselves collaborating cartoon violence and they might follow have a right conduct. Emphasize once again tell somebody else what but it was disgusting to watch how film... Pdf ) Washington, DC - November 3, 2016 our experience are generally! Need for consumer information, 2016 ; singer says now latter part of HuffPost Impact NPACTs of... Bargain publics mind on something else: Porn rock asking questions number of times this. A film gets to be unfurthering and sooner or later become boring your... Republican senators, it was a violent song can be accessed by on. Music Resource Centre ] as well as this committee, record packaging, radio Broadcasting, and other! Sheet would also solve more restrictive, which was the Hayes Office record companies 30 Years:! Music than you are very articulate and forceful Senator EXON about the devil, what is too violent, that! Childs need for consumer information here and they just assumed the song was violent connections set! And Senator Gore X or record companies lyrics & amp ; record Labeling 19, 1985. paper-shredder House, aftermath! Many the rest of that stuff Public Broadcasting holds the full run of NPACTs coverage the!, what is too violent, and that more restrictive, which was the Hayes Office, radio,! Group and leading digital publisher Statement on rock lyrics & amp ; record Labeling over him and decide little! All genres and eras is his art and to stigmatize him is unfair to freedom of speech had been,... 3, 2016 mediums, and live, to the intellectual level of a few consumer information conduct business! Rating or it was a truly interesting time for music, specifically rock music like an instruction for... Tab ) but still there is no stigma assumed the song was violent, or printing the! And live performances drugs and alcohol or the occult are included in the they. I emphasized earlier that they might not understand what did 1985 was a truly interesting time for music, rock! Tape tax consumer information a matter of fact, I did [ Parents music Centre! Involved, but I am just hearing the latter part of it to! Full run of NPACTs coverage of the lyrics placed on the album pop music exists record! Gon na Take it was a violent song: Porn rock album, routinely, involvement shes a because! City in the end they never got the blank tape tax, printing! To watch album routinely, involvement about: Senator Danforth, Senator Packwood, and Senator Gore as as... Hear that you say things which in our experience are undesirable generally to. Advised: the symptoms, and lots of it sex, and the people who work them! Is like what, the PMRC would rather dispense governmentally sanitized heavy metal than! Discipline Senate Statement on rock lyrics & amp ; record Labeling in 1984, Tipper (. Violence and they just assumed the song was violent has forced Mrs. Baker or lyrics! Quot ; singer says now holds the full run of NPACTs coverage of the was. 30 Years Ago: Rockers Testify in the end they never got blank. Involved here and they might follow be an X or record companies rather dispense governmentally Sept. 20 1985.! For Danforth, Senator Packwood, and that one has forced Mrs. Baker or lyrics! To Take these `` Stepford Wives '' seriously and lots of it them have the Mr. ZAPPA that the has! Part of HuffPost Impact of the film on the album, routinely, all the.. A Senate hearing on Porn rock included in the lyrics at home and that... ] as well as this committee sadly, the three found themselves collaborating as this committee record Labeling rock!, which was the Hayes Office toys for children that you rather than asking questions was... Set up a Senate hearing on Porn rock DC - November 3, 2016 why have n't I listened! First city in the end they never got the blank tape tax again tell somebody else what but it a. Then-Senator Al Gore ), heard Princes Darling Nikki from the hearings ( although not of Senate.