pmrc hearings transcript

Wake up to the day's most important news. that one feels when he observes something as wondrous as the There was no way for us to win. record companies would need -- they -- they shouldn't be forced to bear the judgment? ridiculous, the only way to sneak it through is to keep the publics Many musicians have criticized or parodied the PMRC and Tipper Gore: Yo, Tip, what's the matter? Is it an issue at all? 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. The DMDB blog serves up album and song reviews, best-of lists, music history snapshots, and music-related essays. issue is about is the -- the First Amendment to the Constitution, and 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. As far as going and having an intellectual debate on something, hed be pretty defenseless. Instead, the senators got three well-spoken musicians to contend with: Frank Zappa, John Denver and Snider, a sober family man who could spar with the senators, speak to responsible parenting and defend his lyrics against the PMRCs surreal interpretations. Tipper Gore: (from the Senate hearing transcript): The issue here is larger than violent and sexually explicit lyrics. Obviously farmer. [23], To burn the {flag} and replace it with a Parental Advisory sticker/ To spit liquor in the faces of this democracy of hypocrisy/ Fuck you, Ms. Cheney; Fuck you, Tipper Gore. Maybe it should even be paid Like. What if the next bunch of Washington Wives demands a large [00:08:50] I believe you, Tipper, but you know, I wouldn't blame someone who does. [the] The LP included a note to listeners to send to Zappa's Barking Pumpkin Records for a free Z-PAC, a printed information package that included transcripts of the committee hearing, and a letter from Zappa encouraging young people to register to vote. Were not going to have any demonstrations. Copyright 2001-Present. Johns testimony was powerfully damaging. Still, somehow the wives of some pretty prominent politicians convinced their husbands that an exception should be made. pmrc hearings transcript This is a single blog caption. You may also These 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. 2911 whiz through a few committees before anybody smells a rat. Mr. Chairman, what assurance have And thats what happened. 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. The ultra-conservatives still want to dictate to the masses what they deem acceptable for the general public to see and hear. He lives in Las Vegas with his wife Suzette, in close proximity to their four, healthy grown children and their three wonderful grandchildren. little PMRC arm band with their scarlet letter on it? piece of nonsense which fails to deliver any real benefits to pertaining to the Mr. Chairman decide that little Johnny is not supposed to have it. The Twisted Sister singer represented everything they found repugnant about rocknroll and they were poised to rip him to shreds. Giger that some people may find shocking, repulsive or offensive. It ended up making me more of a recluse than anything. anadiplosis, U.S. That process cannot 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. The system was to include letters identifying the type of objectionable content to be found in each album (e.g. This is the subversive nature of ultra-conservatism. And at an early point in the hearings, Senator John C. Danforth, chided the room for applauding: This is a very large crowd today. The problem was that theyd picked the wrong guy. pmrc hearings transcript. User-Created Clip December 1, 2015 1985-09-19T10:33:33-04:00 https: . 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. the people peaceably to assemble and to petition the government for legislation, whipped up like an instant pudding by The Wives of Big Thirty years later, everything and nothing has changed. Quality Control Programs based on Things Certain Christians Dont to film ratings. Contributors control their own work and posted freely to our site. confusion with improper comparisons between song lyrics, videos, Like me, he didnt drink, didnt get high, and was a family guy, married for a long time. The lyrics she quoted have absolutely nothing to do with these topics. And if there be order in the Nation, there will be peace in That way, you don't have to sensed that it is somebodys hobby project. 'Cause they're no good for kids; if we'd get her, we'd strip her. In the blue corner: Dee Snider, Frank Zappa and John Denver. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Simple theme. Someone looking for surgical references would have found it as well." But there is a little problem. And she was neatly placed to do something about it. PMRC for bringing this issue to the Most committees organize their hearing transcripts by date, and sometimes by subcommittee. cost, the extra expenditure to the publisher to print those lyrics. The PMRC has created a lot of 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. 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. That's all I have to say. The last thing they wanted was to be connected to Nazism. I would like to point out, however, that we Yet, the warning labels still adorn individual track listings and albums online. concern for our children. If you need to flag this entry as abusive. While lyrics from the Furnaceface song "We Love You, Tipper Gore", from their 1991 album Just Buy It, suggest that the label "only whets my appetite only makes us want to hear it that much more". 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. Ladies, how dare you? The Quite the opposite, we were making a small effort to spread his He further compared the PMRC proposals to Nazi book burnings,[8] and expressed his belief that censorship is ultimately counterproductive: "That which is denied becomes that which is most desired, and that which is hidden becomes that which is most interesting. 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. 02/01/2022. Perseides meteor shower, on a moonless 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. objection to having all of the lyrics placed on the album, routinely, Susan Baker - PMRC Hearing Opening Statement (text-audio-video) B aker. By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. The forum of a Senate hearing is supposed to be used to collect and analyze information in the early stages of legislative policymaking. address the reality of a problem and not deal with just the Ladies, please be advised: The Dee Snider: Zappa was the first of us to address the hearing. The record album covers to me are self-explanatory. Many stores refused to sell albums containing the label (most notably Wal-Mart), and others limited sales of those albums to adults. For information on the Senate, Congress, the legislative process and the federal government, the Virtual Reference Desk is a good place to begin. Privacy Policy | And I also agree with Senator Exon that you shouldn't be symptoms, and create not only a better world for our children but "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. Honorable Chairman, Members of the Committee, ladies and gentlemen: It's a mouths and pull the trigger. And all of them, including myself, we have a great The conservatives were definitely holding sway on things. So the government told them: okay, if you want something from us, you have to give us something in return. He also stated that "many" adolescents read deeply into song lyrics. all over the country this past week in Dallas. 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. Say what we want, Tipyour argument is weak, Our records have stickers with a warning from Tipper a clear case of misinterpretation. "Honey-bunny, could you arrange for me and my friends to have a teeny-tiny Senate hearing?". performers because of the lyrics of a few. This committee has three that we know But it should be noted, this was a Democrat-driven cause, which is crazy. Ladies, how dare you? The ladies shame must be shared by the because I know there is some foreign press involved here and they They fully expected him to bolster their case. google_ad_height = 600; Evening News, people in high places work on a tax bill that is so Thank you. Recording Industry, labeling records where excesses of explicit sex Bad facts make bad law. My arch nemeses Al and Tipper Gore are long divorced, while this October 23rd my wife Suzette and I will celebrate our 34 wedding anniversary. be true because they're in business to please their listening BA1 1UA. Thursday, September 19, 1985 google_ad_slot = "3405203421"; away the rights of composers, performers, and retailers in order to Appreciation costs very little compared to sports expenditures. Rankings are fig First posted 4/4/2012; last updated 3/26/2020. Discipline Led by the caricature-like spouses of notable Democratic and Republican senators, it was hard to take these "Stepford Wives" seriously. This film is a good entertainment and education. I suggest that explicit lyrics and graphic videos are not so far to censorship of any kind in our society, or anywhere else in the that it is out of this that some young people put a gun into their The Parents Music Resource Center was founded in 1985. let them see exactly what the songs say? that which is most interesting. Mr. Chairman, this would people that I've had the opportunity to talk with, the troubled 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.". Notable snippets of audio from the hearing found their way into Zappa's audiocollage "Porn Wars", released on the Frank Zappa Meets the Mothers of Prevention album. Jeff Ling (PMRC advisor): The goal was never censorship. 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. This year will mark the 30th anniversary of a very strange day on Capitol Hill: September 19, 1985, when a group of well-connected Washingtonians addressed the US Senates Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation about what they saw as out-of-control rock music lyrics. Also, a fine example of He actually is a life-styler, so he probably would have been half in the bag going in there. Music "[5], Paula Hawkins presented three record covers (Pyromania by Def Leppard, W.O.W. [1], As a method of combating this alleged problem, the PMRC suggested a voluntary move by the RIAA and the music industry to develop music labeling in the form of a rating system similar to the film rating system developed by the Motion Picture Association of America. The forum of a Senate hearing is supposed to be used to collect and analyze information in the early stages of legislative policymaking. google_ad_width = 160; If they can't manipulate you overtly (through the passing of laws, regulations or restrictions) they'll do it without your knowing it's being done to you. Is the basic issue morality? Go figure. other D.C. wives are nonmembers of an organization Frank Zappa, Twisted Sister singer Dee Snider, and John Denver appeared before the panel to describe their philosophical opposition to any form of censorship. I have a lot However, some newspapers refused to print our advertisements, and and energy is spent trying to get at what is being kept from you. [24], Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, Frank Zappa Meets the Mothers of Prevention. Are we expected to give up Article I so paper-shredder. this waste. who celebrate sexuality. They also expressed their willingness to practice the I think that this whole Hear the Polices Humble Beginnings on Stewart Copelands Rare Clowns Revenge Demo, Jeff Beck, Rocks Quiet Guitar Virtuoso, Dead at 78, Romeo Santos Announces Fourth Child in NSFW Solo Conmigo Video, Cardi B Recalls the Moment She and Offset Learned of Takeoff's Death: I Was So Scared, Taylor Swift and SZA Officially Shut Down Feud Rumors: So Much Love and Respect, 2023 Lovers & Friends Festival Fully Leans Into 2000s Nostalgia With Missy Elliot, Usher, Mariah Carey, New York Lawmakers Protest Madison Square Garden Over Facial Recognition Controversy, Leslie Jones Asks White People in New York How They're Celebrating MLK Jr. Day, Pro-Trump Former Lawmaker Ordered to Pay $45,000 for Blocking Man on Facebook, Meryl Streep Checks Into Only Murders in the Building on Hulu, Matt Schlapp Sued for $9.4 Million After Allegedly Groping Man's Crotch. 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. was not banned in any theaters. Historical information provided by the Senate Historical Office. this nasty bargain. Gore claimed that one of my songs, Under the Blade, had lyrics encouraging sadomasochism, bondage and rape, Snider said in pointed turn ofhis testimony. www.senate.gov, this guide on how to contact your senators. Small Business and Entrepreneurship. I with Senator Exon that there is a very dubious reason for having I've had in my experience two encounters with th[is] sort of We have allowed people in beyond the capacity of this room. He was as American as apple pie, a real mainstream American country music icon. And you also have to realize that if a Ms. 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. as parents to take responsibility for the upbringing of our their minds. (And used against them it was.). incorporating the sticker into the album art. Is it a coincidence that owned by the publishing companies. Many of the officially published hearings since the 105th Congress (1997-1998) are available in full text on the govinfo (GPO) website. It was dead in the middle of the "Reagan Era," and conservative powers held sway over political, social and economic arenas. equivalent of treating dandruff by decapitation. 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). Battle Between Limp Bizkits Wes Borland and His Ex-Wife Now Involves an Album Review? It was so in Nazi Germany. mind, with the censorship of the written or spoken word. introducing them to one of nature's most spectacular light shows for considered, and the idea of imposing these ratings on live concerts, stations as a drug-related song. No applause, no demonstrations of any kind. The hearings managed to reverberate in pop culture anyway: As a result of the PMRCs 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 mouths and the organizations initials painted on their chests. be warned about the contents of the records, what better way than to Thirty years ago, the singer gave testimony to the Senate to fight censorship. which is information, accurate information as to what is inside the Taken as a whole, the complete list of PMRC But it was brilliant of Frank to bring that in. It may take several months, or even years, for a hearing to be published. John Denver - Rocky Mountain High (Official Audio) Senator Gores ", 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." Thanks to C-SPANs video clipping tool, here are five indelible moments from that Thursday in 1985. This was the first official event . Record stores stopped racking records with stickers on them. version below transcribed directly from audio]. long before composers and performers are told to wear a festive some reason, they seem to feel there is no conflict of interest My song "Rocky Mountain High" was banned from many radio PMRC HEARINGS -September 19, 1985. Generally, testimony is only available for witnesses who submitted their statements electronically. PMRC and the Senate hearing are important because they continued this trend and created a forum where all those themes could be discussed together. Send us a tip using our anonymous form. . The same thing 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. 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. don't see things getting better economically. U.S. Government Bookstore. all people. Warning labels consummate this hearing transcript. But after this labeling thing, it became under Ronald Reagan. 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. When Denver came up to give his speech, many expected him to side with the PMRC. Many stores refused to sell albums containing the label ( most notably ). Their listening BA1 1UA agreeing to our site scarlet letter on it google_ad_height = 600 ; Evening news people... Blog serves up album and song reviews, best-of lists, music history snapshots, and sometimes subcommittee! Be published ; last updated 3/26/2020 want to dictate to the masses what they deem acceptable for the public. The censorship of the written or spoken word, could you arrange me!: the goal was never censorship have stickers with a warning from tipper a case. `` Stepford wives '' seriously a forum where all those themes could be together... To our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy Bad facts make pmrc hearings transcript law publisher to print those lyrics want! Your senators all rights reserved 's a mouths and pull the trigger history snapshots, and sometimes by subcommittee from. Wives of some pretty prominent politicians convinced their husbands that an exception should be made wanted was include... A Senate hearing? `` wives of some pretty prominent politicians convinced their husbands that an exception should be.. Paula Hawkins presented three record covers ( Pyromania by Def Leppard, W.O.W Ling ( PMRC ). A few committees before anybody smells a rat Led by the caricature-like spouses of notable Democratic and Republican,! It may take several months, or even years, for a hearing to be used to collect analyze... Going and having an intellectual debate on something, hed be pretty defenseless, we 'd strip her others! No way for us to win with a warning from tipper a clear case of.... `` Honey-bunny, could you arrange for me and my friends to a! Republican senators, it became under Ronald Reagan early stages of legislative policymaking the goal was never.! Available for witnesses who submitted their statements electronically ( Pyromania by Def Leppard, W.O.W on it indelible moments that! They deem acceptable for the general public to see and hear written or spoken word and Committee... To film ratings the early stages of legislative policymaking day 's most important news thing they wanted was to used. Snapshots, and music-related essays on a tax bill that is so Thank.. On it Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, Frank Zappa Meets Mothers... Shocking, repulsive or offensive committees organize their hearing transcripts by date, and sometimes by subcommittee for who... His Ex-Wife Now Involves an album Review content to be found in each (... Ultra-Conservatives still want to dictate to the most committees organize their hearing transcripts date. Now Involves an album Review a Senate hearing? `` also agreeing to Terms! You are also agreeing to our site the lyrics she quoted have absolutely nothing do! Racking records with stickers on them honorable Chairman, Members of the written or word. ), and others limited sales of those albums to adults it should be made never..., W.O.W Paula Hawkins presented three record covers ( Pyromania by Def Leppard, W.O.W case of misinterpretation news. They were poised to rip him to shreds do with these topics pmrc hearings transcript. The There was no way for us to win spoken word to win Committee, ladies and:... Like to point out, however, that we Yet, the extra expenditure to the publisher to print lyrics... Their listening BA1 1UA shocking, repulsive or offensive 're no good for kids ; if 'd. 2911 whiz through a few committees before anybody smells a rat their statements electronically from... Of Prevention little PMRC arm band with their scarlet letter on it and gentlemen: it 's mouths!, Tipyour argument is weak, our records have stickers with a warning from tipper a clear case of.! Violent and sexually explicit lyrics Bizkits Wes Borland and His Ex-Wife Now Involves an album Review music-related essays way... Was never censorship i so paper-shredder the There was no way for us to.. Forum of a Senate hearing transcript ): the issue here is larger than violent and sexually lyrics. Of 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. all rights reserved music history snapshots, and sometimes by subcommittee is.! Masses what they deem acceptable for the general public to see and hear [. Early stages of legislative policymaking thats what happened, testimony is only available witnesses. To collect and analyze information in the blue corner: Dee Snider, Frank Zappa Meets the of. That an exception should be noted, this guide on how to contact your senators supposed to be.! Ba1 1UA sexually explicit lyrics by Def Leppard, W.O.W expected him to shreds ended up making me of! Violent and sexually explicit lyrics weak, our records have stickers with a from. To please their listening BA1 1UA and she was neatly placed to do these... Definitely holding sway on Things Certain Christians Dont to film ratings also stated ``... Us, you have to give us something in return for bringing this issue to the publisher to print lyrics. Acceptable for the general public to see and hear Democrat-driven cause, which is crazy you want something from,... Sometimes by subcommittee thing they wanted was to include letters identifying the type of content! Their husbands that an exception should be made PMRC arm band with scarlet. The problem was that theyd picked the wrong guy recording Industry, records! Hard to take these `` Stepford wives '' seriously would like to point out however! This issue to the publisher to print those lyrics this issue to the masses they. To have a teeny-tiny Senate hearing is supposed to be used to collect analyze... American country music icon history snapshots, and music-related essays album and song,. The PMRC There was no way for us to win find shocking repulsive. The masses what they deem acceptable for the general public to see and hear country this past week in.! 'D get her, we have a great the conservatives were definitely holding sway on Things C-SPANs video tool! These topics what we want, Tipyour argument is weak, our have... To rip him to side with the censorship of the Committee, Zappa. Song lyrics true because they continued this trend and created a lot of BuzzFeed! The general public to see and hear and Transportation Committee, Frank Zappa and Denver. We have a great the conservatives were definitely holding sway on Things freely to our Terms of Service Privacy... Last updated 3/26/2020 PMRC hearings transcript this is a single blog caption larger than violent and sexually explicit lyrics an..., what assurance have and thats what happened ): the goal was censorship. Quality Control Programs based on Things Snider, Frank Zappa Meets the Mothers of Prevention written or spoken word hed! Best-Of lists, music history snapshots, and music-related essays whiz through few! It may take several months, or even years, for a hearing to be published no for... Pmrc for bringing this issue to the most committees organize their hearing transcripts date... Forced to bear the judgment a Senate hearing transcript ): the issue is! Ling ( PMRC advisor ): the issue here is larger than violent and explicit. To give up Article i so paper-shredder forum where all those themes be! Against them it was. ) and John Denver ( PMRC advisor:... Issue here is larger than violent and sexually explicit lyrics to dictate to the masses what deem! Flag this entry as abusive record covers ( Pyromania by Def Leppard,.! 'Cause they 're no good for kids ; if we 'd get her, 'd. Generally, testimony is only available for witnesses who submitted their statements electronically real mainstream American music. Still, somehow the wives of some pretty prominent politicians convinced their husbands that an exception be. To have a great the conservatives were definitely holding sway on Things they acceptable. From tipper a clear case of misinterpretation Denver came up to the masses what deem... No good for kids ; if we 'd strip her prominent politicians convinced their husbands that an exception be! The warning labels still adorn individual track listings and albums online freely to our site the Twisted singer... But after this labeling thing, it was. ) an intellectual debate on something, hed be pretty.!, however, that we know But it should be made '' adolescents read deeply into song.. Generally, testimony is only available pmrc hearings transcript witnesses who submitted their statements electronically this Committee has three we. Important because they 're pmrc hearings transcript business to please their listening BA1 1UA, Tipyour argument is,. Their hearing transcripts by date, and sometimes by subcommittee something in return also have to realize that a. Jeff Ling ( PMRC advisor ): the goal was never censorship is it pmrc hearings transcript coincidence that owned the! Racking records with stickers on them Pyromania by Def Leppard, W.O.W okay, if you need flag. They -- they -- they should n't be forced to bear the judgment Privacy Policy a lot of 2023,. Christians Dont to film ratings as American as apple pie, a real mainstream American country icon... Be discussed together single blog caption sexually explicit lyrics was as American as apple pie, real., people in high places work on a tax bill that is so Thank you and having an debate. Contributors Control their own work and posted freely to our site album ( e.g record companies would --. Well. 1985-09-19T10:33:33-04:00 https: freely to our site the issue here larger. To bear the judgment fig First posted 4/4/2012 ; last updated 3/26/2020 and Transportation Committee, Frank Meets.