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Whether or not you consider yourself a fan, it's hard to argue that the Beatles rank among the most popular and influential rock acts of all time. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
This is an extremely well researched, detailed and thorough book charting just about all aspects of music censorship, large and small, publicised and less publicised, that has blighted musical culture over the past one hundred plus years. All the usual suspects feature: John Lennon's 'Bigger than Jesus' quote; the PMRC (Parents Music Resource Center); the lewd, sexy shenanigans of the 2 Live Crew; the moral-majority-baiting cartoon Satanism of Marilyn Manson; the high chief of free speech and political commentary, Frank Zappa; Judas Priest's so-called 'backward subliminal messages' in their songs; Ozzy Osbourne's 'Suicide Solution'; Ice-T's 'Cop Killer'; the Columbine High School tragedy; and so on, ad infinitum. Unhappily, virtually every major pop act you could imagine turns up in these pages - including some surprising ones. Who would have thought that Nat King Cole would have been attacked by activists, just because he was black?
Just about all attempts at curbing, blotting out or simply blaming pop culture for society's' ills is recorded here, as well as the consequences of such narrow-minded actions. It's morbidly interesting and deeply disturbing. Sex, religion, drugs, race, war, firearms, videos on MTV, album cover artwork: it seems there is nothing that can escape the wrath of the would-be censor. What is perhaps more unsettling, however, is the story of the very motives behind some of the actions, including political agendas behind the PMRC's relationship with the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America). Also troubling is the taking of rock stars to court, the plaintiffs having directly blamed them for teenage suicides and murders. Here, the blame is shifted on to the easiest targets, conveniently overlooking the real reasons behind why their children are so desperately unhappy to want to kill themselves or other people.
It is clear from reading this book what the author Eric Nuzum feels about the subject, but all credit to him, he tries to be as objective as possible. However the lucid and intelligent way the facts are presented would lead even the most pro-censorship conservative to concede the futility of holding something subjectively aesthetically foreign to be ethically depraved. Although it's mainly about the USA, mention is made of Britain several times. With current government ministers choosing to shake the finger at So Solid Crew rather than tackle the genuine reason why four innocent girls got gunned down in Birmingham, this book is vital for anyone who wants to see their music free - legitimately free - of right-wing, political and pressure-group interference.
To rely on others to tell you what is bad for your child is nuts. Tipper Gore started the PMRC because of her lack of parental initiative, even though she claims it was because of it. The book details the episode, when she bought an album based on her 11 year old daughter's recommendation and listened to it with her child and two younger siblings without first previewing its contents and then gets mad at the artist and the record company for releasing it. Come on! She should have previewed this album before playing it for her daughter, I would have.
Relying on others to make these determinations is dangerous. For instance some wanted the Captain and Tenille banned because they endorsed vegetarianism and believe in reincarnation. The Beach Boys because they practice yoga. Carlos Santana because if you drop the first N and the last A you have a devil worshipper. The list goes on and are presented in this book as food for thought on following rather than thinking. In the 1960's some thought The Beatles music was part of a Communist plot to jam the nervous systems of young people (I know, sounds too weird).
The FBI has investigated many rock and rollers throughout the 1950-1960-1970s for subversive statements and lyrics. Church groups think music promotes the Devil. Conservatives don't like the liberal message and liberals don't like the conservative message. Jesse Jackson thought Disco music was morality- damaging!
The bottom line is GET A GRIP! Think for yourself and your children, within' the family unit. Did any rational person really think that "Rocky Mountain High" was about drug abuse? This book shows you why people must continue to think and make their own choices.
A classic, that is a good addition to any library for a reader or a music fan I consider this book a must have.
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