Censorship Incidents
1951
Radio stations ban Dottie O'Brien's "Four or Five Times" and Dean Martin's "Wham Bam,
Thank You Ma'am" fearing they are suggestive.
1952
The Weavers are blacklisted due to the leftist political beliefs and associations of several
members.
1953
The phrase "gardenia perfume linger on a pillow" is altered to "a seaplane rising from an ocean
billow" in the song "These Foolish Things."
Six counties in South Carolina pass legislation outlawing jukebox operation anytime when
within hearing distance of a church.
1954
Stephen Foster songs are edited for radio to remove words such as "massa" and "darky."
Webb Pierce's "There Stands the Glass" is banned from radio because the lyrics are thought to
condone heavy drinking.
Congressional representative Ruth Thompson introduces legislation that is meant to ban the
mailing of certain "pornographic" records through the U.S. mail.
The Boston Catholic Youth Organization begins a campaign of policing dances and lobbying
disc jockeys to stop playing "obscene" songs at record hops and on the radio.
For radio airplay the perceived drug reference "I get no kick from cocaine," is changed to "I get
perfume from Spain." in Cole Porter's classic "I Get A Kick Out of You."
The editorial, "Control the Dimwits," which appears in the September 24 issue of Billboard,
condemns R&B songs that contain double entendre references to sex. In response, police in Long
Beach, California, and Memphis, Tennessee, confiscate jukeboxes and fine their owners. Similar
jukebox bans occur across the country.
In October, WDIA and several other large popular music radio stations ban several songs for
their sexually suggestive lyrics. The station runs on-air announcements saying, "WDIA, your
good-will station, in the interest of good citizenship, for the protection of morals and our
American way of life does not consider this record, [name of song], fit for broadcast on WDIA.
We are sure all you listeners will agree with us."
The ABC network bans the Rosemary Clooney hit "Mambo Italiano," saying it did not meet the
network's "standards for good taste."
1955
Former radio deejay Pat Boone begins a career by releasing "sanitized" versions of black R&B
hits. Boone's versions of these songs often contain edited lyrics: such as substituting "drinkin'
Coca Cola" for "drinkin' wine" in T-Bone Walker's "Stormy Monday" and "Pretty little Susie is
the girl for me" instead of "Boys, don't you know what she do to me" in Little Richard's "Tutti
Fruitti."
In one week's time during April, Chicago radio stations receive 15,000 complaint letters
protesting their broadcast of rock music as part of an organized campaign. The letters call for the
station to remove controversial songs from their playlists.
Variety runs a three-part series on what they term "leer-ics," or R&B songs with obscene lyrics,
calling for censorship of the recording industry. The articles compare these songs to dirty
postcards and chastises the music industry for selling "their leer-ic garbage by declaring that's
what kids want."
The Juvenile Delinquency and Crime Commission of Houston, Texas, bans more than 30 songs
it considers obscene. The Commission's list is almost entirely comprised of black artists
Officials cancel rock and roll concerts scheduled in New Haven and Bridgeport, Connecticut;
Boston; Atlanta; Jersey City and Asbury Park, New Jersey; Burbank, California; and
Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Observers mistake dancing at concerts for riots and fighting.
CBS television network cancels Alan Freed's Rock 'n Roll Dance Party after a camera shows
Frankie Lymon (leader of the doo wop group Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers) dancing with a
white girl.
Officials in San Diego and Florida police warn Elvis Presley that if he moves at all during his
local performances, he will be arrested on obscenity charges.
1956
ABC Radio Network bans Billie Holiday's rendition of Cole Porter's "Love for Sale" from all of
its stations because of its prostitution theme. Stations continue to play instrumental versions of
the song.
Also in April, members of the White Citizens Council of Birmingham, Alabama, rush the stage
at a Nat King Cole concert and beat the legendary performer. Seeing the reaction of
Birmingham's young teen girls to Nat's crooning, the council members confuse Cole's music with
newly popular R&B.
The Parks Department in San Antonio, Texas, removes all rock and roll records from jukeboxes
located at city swimming pools, terming it "jumpy, hot stuff" that is unsuitable for teens.
Network officials ban the novelty hit "Transfusion" by Dot and Diamond from ABC, CBS, and
NBC radios in June. According to one NBC executive, "There is nothing funny about a blood
transfusion."
1957
Producers of the Ed Sullivan Show instruct cameramen to show Elvis Presley only from the
waist up on his third and final appearance on the program on January 7th.
Fearing the effects of the "hedonistic, tribal rhythms" of rock and roll music, in March Chicago's
Cardinal Stritch bans popular music from all Catholic-run schools.
Congress considers that legislation requires song lyrics to be screened and altered by a review
committee before being broadcast or offered for sale.
1958
The Mutual Broadcasting System drops all rock and roll records from its network music
programs, calling it "distorted, monotonous, noisy music."
1959
Link Wray's instrumental classic "Rumble" is dropped from radio stations across the country in
January - even though it has no lyrics. The title of the song is thought to be suggestive of teenage
violence. When Wray appears on American Bandstand to perform the song, Dick Clark
introduces Wray and his band, but refuses to mention the song's title.
Wanting to secure an appearance on the hit television program American Bandstand, singer
Lloyd Price agrees to re-cut the lyrics to his song "Stagger Lee," removing all references to
violence.
1960
In October, several radio stations refuse to play Ray Peterson's "Tell Laura I Love Her," calling
it the "Death Disk."
1962
New York Bishop Burke forbids Catholic school students from dancing to "The Twist." Burke
considers R&B music, and its associated dances, to be lewd and un-Christian.
1963
The FBI begins collecting data on folk singers Phil Ochs. Ochs is one of several popular
musicians to be tracked by the FBI during their careers (Bob Dylan, Jim Morrison, Pete Seeger
and Woody Guthrie).
Bob Dylan refuses to perform on the Ed Sullivan Show in February after producers tell him he
cannot sing "Talking John Birch Paranoid Blues." Dylan is never invited to perform on the show
again.
1964
Fear it contains obscene messages, Indiana Governor Matthew Welsh attempts to ban the
Kingsmen hit "Louie, Louie." After review by the FCC, the agency determines that the song's
lyrics are indecipherable.
1965
After splitting his pants while dancing wildly at a European concert, the boisterous P. J. Proby
is uninvited to perform on ABC's music variety show Shingdig.
Cleveland Mayor Ralph Locher bans all rock concerts in the city following a Rolling Stones
performance.
The Barry McGuire song "Eve of Destruction" is pulled from retail stores and radio stations
across the country after some groups complain that it is nihilistic and could promote suicidal
feelings amongst teens.
In June, radio stations across the country ban the Rolling Stones hit "I Can't Get No
Satisfaction" because they believe the lyrics are too sexually suggestive.
Many radio stations ban The Who's single "Pictures of Lily" because the song contains a
reference to masturbation.
MGM Records alters the Frank Zappa song "Money" because it contains a sexual reference.
1966
WLS radio commissions a local group to re-record the Them hit "Gloria" because they object to
the lyrics. Station management feels that the lyric "she comes in my room" is too suggestive for
broadcast. Instead, they contact a local band, the Shadows of Knight, to re-record the tune. The
Shadows of Knight version becomes a national top ten hit; the original stalls at number 71 on the
charts.
A statement by John Lennon in March, comparing the popularity of the Beatles to that of Jesus
Christ, results in wide-spread Beatles record burnings and protests. Lennon's comments
regarding what he perceives as a decrease in Christianity's popularity with teens are taken out of
context. He says, "We're more popular than Jesus now."
After radio stations refuse to air the original, The Swinging Medallions are convinced by their
record company to re-record their song "Double Shot (of My Baby's Love)" with more benign
lyrics.
In June, Capitol Records recalls all copies of the Beatles' Yesterday And Today album following
complaints over the album's gory cover art. The "butcher" cover depicts the four Beatles wearing
white smocks and covered with decapitated baby dolls and raw meat.
Police attempt to shut down a James Brown concert, alleging the singer's dancing is obscene.
After enduring calls for censorship over the song "Rhapsody in the Rain," Lou Christie agrees
to change the song's suggestive lyrics.
1967
The Rolling Stones agree to alter the lyrics to "Let's Spend The Night Together" for an
appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show in January. Producers request that singer Mick Jagger alter
the title phrase to "Let's spend some time together."
Against his wishes, Frank Zappa's record company removes eight bars of his song "Let's Make
the Water Turn Black." This occurs when a well-intentioned executive from Verve Records
hears the lyric, "And I still remember mama with her apron and her pad, feeding all the boys at
Ed's café." The executive thinks the referred-to "pad" is a sanitary napkin.
Radio programmers pass on Van Morrison's "Brown Eyed Girl" because the lyrics reference
premarital sex and teenage pregnancy. Morrison cuts an alternative version with more acceptable
lyrics.
Producers of the Ed Sullivan Show request that Jim Morrison change the lyrics to "Light My
Fire" for The Doors' September appearance on the program. Morrison initially agrees to alter the
lyric "Girl we couldn't get much higher" to a more innocuous phrase. During the live
performance, Morrison sings the original lyric. The band is not invited back on the program.
1968
An El Paso, Texas, radio station bans all songs performed by Bob Dylan because they cannot
understand the folk singer's lyrics. The station continues to play recordings of Dylan songs
performed by other artists with clearer diction.
The Doors' single "Unknown Soldier" is banned from airplay at many radio stations because of
its anti-war theme.
Sponsors go into an uproar and threaten to pull support after a television program shows
interracial "touching." During the taping of a duet between Petula Clark and Harry Belafonte,
Clark lays her hand on Belafonte's arm (Clark is white and Belafonte is black).
Jim Morrison is arrested on stage in New Haven, Connecticut, for making lewd gestures and
profane remarks during a concert. The arrest is one of several that occur during Doors concerts
after Morrison is marked by the FBI and several police organizations as a troublemaker.
Fearing the Rolling Stones' song "Street Fightin' Man" will incite violence during the National
Democratic Convention in September, Chicago radio stations refuse to play the song. During the
ban, the single sets all-time sales records in the Chicago area.
After being invited by the Smothers Brothers to perform his anti-Vietnam anthem "Waist Deep
in the Big Muddy" on their TV show, Pete Seeger is edited out of the program by the censors at
CBS television.
1969
In January, New York police seize 30,000 copies of John Lennon and Yoko Ono's Two Virgins
album.
Controversy over the cover of Blind Faith's debut album prompts their label to issue the record
with two different covers. The original cover, released in February, features a photograph of a
naked 11-year old girl, holding a metallic, rather phallic-looking model airplane. The airplane
points toward her lower abdomen. Atco Records eventually drops the benign second cover
because it doesn't sell as well as the original.
In September, the local Roman Catholic Diocese runs a two-page ad spread in the Seattle Post
Intelligencer calling for the criminal prosecution of rock musicians and for bans against "rock
festivals and their drug-sex-rock-squalor culture."
Record company officials delay the release of Volunteers by Jefferson Airplane over concerns
with the album's lyrical themes.
In July, one-half of the country's Top 40 stations refuse to play "The Ballad of John and Yoko"
because they feel that the lyrics are blasphemous. The song's lyrics contain references to Christ
and crucifixion.
After Hudson's, a large department store chain, refuses to carry the debut record from MC5
when it is released in April, the group agrees to delete the expletive "motherfucker" from "Kick
Out The Jams."
1970
A group known as the Movement to Restore Democracy calls for the banning of rock music to
end the spread of Socialism in America.
MCA Records drops 18 acts from their record label because they believe the performers promote
hard drugs in their songs.
Under the direction of President Richard Nixon, Vice President Spiro Agnew ignites widespread
interest in censoring popular music by making statements concerning drug imagery in rock
music.
Claiming that he fears the song "Ohio" will incite further violence on college campuses
following the killing of four students at Kent State University, Governor James Rhodes attempts
to order Ohio radio stations to ban the song.
Concerns over drugs and rioting cause a wave of protests of large rock festivals. Citizen groups
in Chicago, Houston, Tucson, and Atlanta rally to cancel large, outdoor rock festivals in their
cities.
Country Joe McDonald is fined $500 for uttering an obscenity during a concert performance of
his song "I Feel Like I'm Fixin' To Die Rag."
Janis Joplin is fined $200 for violating local profanity and obscenity laws for her performance
after a concert in Tampa, Florida.
1971
Several radio stations alter the John Lennon song "Working Class Hero" without the consent of
Lennon or his record label.
Radio stations across the U.S. ban Bob Dylan's single "George Jackson" over concerns about the
song's political theme and the word "shit" in its lyrics.
In May, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) sends all radio stations telegrams
threatening their licenses for playing rock music that glorified drugs.
In April, the Illinois Crime Commission publishes a list of popular rock songs that contain drug
references, including Peter, Paul and Mary's "Puff The Magic Dragon" and the Beatles'
"Yellow Submarine."
Chrysalis Records changes the lyrics to Jethro Tull's "Locomotive Breath" without the band's
knowledge or consent. Label executives fear radio stations will not play the original, which
contains the lyric "got him by the balls."
1972
In January, the Senate Internal Security Subcommittee issues a report on John Lennon and
Yoko Ono, advocating the termination of Lennon's visa to live in the U.S. The report calls the
couple "strong advocates of the program to 'dump Nixon'."
After Indiana Attorney General Theodore Sendak calls rock festivals "drug supermarkets,"
Hoosier legislators adopt legislation meant to "get tough" on large rock concerts. In the process,
the regulation accidentally outlaws the Indianapolis 500 and other large outdoor gatherings
John Lennon's song "Woman is the Nigger of the World" is banned by radio stations across the
country.
Radio stations across the country ban John Denver's hit song "Rocky Mountain High," fearing
that the song's "high" refers to drugs.
1973
Curtis Mayfield's "Pusherman" is edited without his knowledge for a live appearance on
American Bandstand.
Record company execs alter the cover of Mama Lion’s Preserve Wildlife after concerns over the
album’s original cover photograph. The original image showed group singer Lynn Carey nursing
a lion cub.
Atlantic Records decides to change the title and lyrics of the Rolling Stones' "Starfucker" in
order to avoid protests.
New York Senator James Buckley writes a report linking rock music to drug use. He calls for
the record industry to eliminate drug-using or drug-endorsing rock musicians before the federal
government feels it necessary to take action.
1974
Richfield, Ohio, zoning commissioner Richard Crofoot attempts to ban all concerts at the
Richfield Coliseum after witnessing marijuana use at an Elton John concert.
1975
Radio stations across the country refuse to play Loretta Lynn's "The Pill" because of its
references to birth control.
In November, Reverend Charles Boykin of Tallahassee, Florida, blames popular music for
teenage pregnancy. Boykin conducts his own survey of 1,000 unwed mothers and determines
that 984 became pregnant while listening to rock music.
1976
A billboard advertisement for the Rolling Stones' Black and Blue LP (featuring a photo of a
battered woman) triggers protests again Time-Warner by women's groups.
The RKO radio chain refuses to play Rod Stewart's hit "Tonight's The Night" until the lyric
"spread your wings and let me come inside" is edited from the song.
1977
The Reverend Jesse Jackson calls for bans against disco music, insisting the music promotes
promiscuity and drug use.
1978
British punk band the Sex Pistols are initially denied visas to enter the U.S.A. for their first
American tour.
1979
Frank Zappa's song "Jewish Princess" sparks vocal protests to the FCC from the B'nai B'rith
Anti-Defamation League.
1980
Fearing association with its theme, Mercury Records refuses to release Frank Zappa's single "I
Don't Wanna Get Drafted."
A representative of the New York State Division of Substance Abuse Services suggests a tax on
musicians whose songs promote drug use.
In October, Youth Minister Art Diaz organizes a group of local teenagers who conduct a record
burning at the First Assembly Church of God in Des Moines, Iowa, including albums by the
Beatles, Ravi Shankar, Peter Frampton, and the soundtrack to the movie Grease. A similar
burning takes place a few months later in Keoku, Iowa, where a church group burns the work of
The Carpenters, John Denver, and Perry Como.
1981
A municipal judge in Newark, Ohio, bans rock concerts at the Legend Valley Park because they
pose a public nuisance.
Believing that rock condones drug abuse and promiscuous sex, Carroll, Iowa, nightclub owner
Jeff Jochims renounces his transgressions and sets fire to $2,000 worth of rock records.
The morals of Provo and Salt Lake City residents are saved when two radio stations ban Olivia
Newton John's hit single "Physical." The stations fear that the song's lyrics may be a bit too
suggestive much for their heavily Mormon audiences.
1982
Ozzy Osbourne is forbidden from performing in San Antonio, Texas, after he is arrested for
urinating on the Alamo. Osbourne's various legal troubles also prevent him from playing in
several other cities, including Boston, Baton Rouge, Corpus Christi, Las Vegas, and Philadelphia
and Scranton, Pennsylvania.
California assemblyman Phil Wyman introduces a bill to outlaw the practice of including
subliminal messages in rock records.
1983
Roger Wilcher, a Baptist youth minister in Emporia, Virginia, petitions the city council to
remove MTV from the local cable system.
Voice of America programmer Frank Scott issues a directive to staff that they are not permitted
to play music which might offend any portion of their audience.
1984
Rick Allen and his wife express concerns over a Prince album to their local PTA meeting in
Cincinnati, Ohio. This action started the mid-80s music censorship movement that eventually
results in the RIAA universal parental warning sticker.
Following a complaint by Wal-Mart, PolyGram Records changes the cover of the Scorpions'
Love At First Sting. The original features a partially nude couple locked in an embrace; the man
is giving the woman a tattoo on her thigh.
In May, popular Surgeon General C. Everett Koop speaks out against rock music when he
insists that rock video fans have been "saturated with what I think is going to make them have
trouble having satisfying relationships with the opposite sex ... when you're raised with rock
music that uses both pornography and violence."
Dade Christian School in Miami, Florida, forbids students from attending a local concert by the
Jackson Brothers, because they fear it will lead the youth to use drugs, drink, behave
irresponsibly, and participate in lewd dancing. Any student who attends the concert is guaranteed
fifteen demerits.
Critics call for boycotts of Bruce Springsteen's Born In The U.S.A. after it is widely rumored
that the cover depicts "the Boss" urinating on an American Flag.
After issuing a report on the violence in music videos, in December the National Coalition on
Television Violence calls for the federal government to regulate rock music on television.
Fearing that MTV induces a "temporary state of insanity" over patients, Dr. Richard Bridgberg
orders the staff of the Institute of Living, in Hartford, Connecticut, to remove MTV from the
mental hospital's television system. Even though patients are allowed to watch listen to radios,
recorded music, and watch the evening news and popular movies, hospital spokesperson Robert
Fagan says MTV is "too inciting" and can potentially cause hallucinations.
1985
The parents of John McCullom sue Ozzy Osbourne, claiming that his song "Suicide Solution"
"aided, or advised, or encouraged" their son to commit suicide. The judge in the case decides that
overt lyrics are protected speech and that evidence is insufficient to connect the song to the
suicide.
Following attacks from a conservative group lead by the Reverend Jimmy Swaggart, Wal-Mart
discontinues sales of all major rock magazines such as Rolling Stone, Hard Rock, Spin, and Tiger
Beat.
The group "Women Against Pornography" provides a lecture program in public high schools
about "the sexist and violent content of rock videos."
Provo, Utah, apartment complex owner and Mormon bishop Leo Weidner bans MTV from his
tenant's apartments. Weidner says music videos are "pornographic" and feels they are harmful to
his tenants. Weidner later admits that he has never seen a music video.
Following a meeting at St. Columbia's Church in Washington, D.C. in early May, Tipper Gore,
Susan Baker, and twenty wives of influential Washington politicians and businessmen form the
Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC). The PMRC's goals are to lobby the music industry for:
lyrics printed on album covers; explicit album covers kept under the counter; a records ratings
system that is similar to that used for films; a ratings system for concerts; reassessment of
contracts for those performers who engage in violence and explicit sexual behavior on stage; and
a media watch by citizens and record companies that will pressure broadcasters to not air
"questionable talent."
Christian rock band DeGarmo & Key see their video for "Six, Six, Six." banned by the channel
because their music video is too violent.
MCA Records sends radio stations an urgent letter that encourages them to stop playing Al
Hudson's "Let's Talk." The company fears they may be subject to obscenity prosecutions
because of the song's sexually suggestive lyrics.
After receiving a letter from the PMRC expressing their concerns over rock lyrics, Eddie Fritts,
head of the National Association of Broadcasters, writes a letter to the heads of forty-five major
record companies. In his letter, Fritts requests that lyrics sheets accompany all songs released to
radio.
The PMRC writes to music industry presidents and CEOs and requests a rating system for music
lyrics and imagery. The letter contains a list of the "filthy fifteen" (the artists initially targeted by
the PMRC), those artists are AC/DC, Black Sabbath, Cyndi Lauper, Def Leppard, Judas
Priest, Madonna, Mary Jane Girls, Mercyful Fate, Motley Crüe, Prince, Sheena Easton,
Twisted Sister, Vanity, Venom, and W.A.S.P.
During an addresses at the New York Television Academy, televangelist and presidential
candidate Pat Robertson calls for content regulation of rock music on radio and television.
Determining that music videos are "decadent, moraly degrading, and evil," two women in the
Boston suburb of Weymouth, Massachusetts, petition city officials to eliminate MTV from their
local cable system.
Under the leadership of mayor (and future Clinton cabinet member) Henry Cisneros, city
officials in San Antonio, Texas, pass an ordinance forbidding children under the age of fourteen
from attending rock concerts at any city-owned facility.
At the urging of the Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC), the Senate Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation holds hearings on music lyrics and proposed systems to
rate or sticker albums that contain violent or sexually-themed lyrics on Septmber 19th.
Representatives from the PMRC and National PTA, Senator Paula Hawkins, and Dr. Joe
Stuessy speak in support of regulating music, while three musicians - Frank Zappa, Dee Snider
(of Twisted Sister), and John Denver - speak in defense of popular music.
In October, President Ronald Reagan insinuates that "reactionary" and "obscene" rock music
does not deserve Constitutional protection. Reagan states "I don't believe that our Founding
Fathers ever intended to create a nation where the rights of pornographers would take precedence
over the rights of parents, and the violent and malevolent would be given free rein to prey upon
our children."
American Bandstand producers refuse to let Sheena Easton perform her hit song "Sugar Walls"
because it has been targeted by the PMRC.
In November, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) strikes a deal with the
National PTA and the PMRC to create a universal parental warning sticker that will be placed on
all albums containing graphic depictions of sex and/or violence.
William Steding, vice-president of KAFM in Dallas, forms the National Music Review Council,
whose mission is to inform broadcasters and parents about music that features controversial
themes and lyrics.
The title of Marvin Gaye's song "Sanctified Pussy" is changed to "Sanctified Lady" for a
posthumous release, Dream of a Lifetime.
Columbia Records wraps the Rolling Stones' Dirty Work in dull red plastic, hiding certain words
and song titles.
1986
In February, CBS Music sets a strict, yet vague, company-wide policy regarding explicit lyrics.
The policy is meant to dissuade artists from releasing any albums that may be deemed
"controversial."
After complaints from groups such as the Arab-American Anti-Discrimination Committee, the
Cure requests that radio stations pull "Killing An Arab" from airplay.
Meyer Music Markets places an "explicit lyrics" warning sticker on Frank Zappa's Jazz from
Hell - even though the album is entirely instrumental.
First Lady Nancy Reagan withdraws her support for an eleven-hour anti-drug rock concert
because promoters refuse to drop certain acts who are targets of the PMRC.
The families of two young men sue the British heavy metal band Judas Priest, alleging their
1978 album Stained Class encouraged the young men to commit suicide.
Maryland Delegate Judith Toth introduces legislation aimed at amending the state's obscenity
statutes to include records, tapes, and laser discs.
Jello Biafra of the Dead Kennedys is charged with violating section 313.1 ("Distribution of
Harmful Materials to Minors") of the California state penal code for a poster included in the
band's Frankenchrist LP. The offending poster contains a painting by noted Swiss artist H.R.
Giger (best known for his Academy Award winning art design work for the 1980 film Alien)
entitled, "Landscape #20, Where Are We Coming From?" The painting features about a dozen
sets of interlocked male and female genitalia. After a court battle, the charges are dropped.
1987
Fearing eviction, many mall retailers refuse to carry new releases containing the word "fuck" in
the title.
A part-time record clerk is arrested in April in Callaway, Florida, for selling a copy of 2 Live
Crew's album 2 Live Is What We Are to a fourteen year old boy.
Radio stations in Pittsburgh, New Orleans, Cincinnati, Minneapolis, Denver, and New York ban
George Michael's single "I Want Your Sex" because of its explicit sexual content.
In an attempt to thwart an upcoming concert by the Beastie Boys, the city of Jacksonville,
Florida, passes an ordinance in August that requires all "adult" acts to put a "For Mature
Audiences Only" notice on all concert tickets and advertisements.
An unidentified congressperson commissions a study by the Congressional Research Service to
determine if Congress has the Constitutional authority to regulate albums that contain explicit
lyrics by restricting their sale.
MTV refuses to air the video for the Replacements "The Ledge" because executives fear it may
encourage teens to commit suicide.
1988
Some retailers refuse to stock Nothing's Shocking, Jane's Addiction's debut album for Warner
Brothers, because of its cover.
A faculty advisor, at a Newark, New Jersey, student radio station yanks all heavy metal from the
station's playlists in April because he fears it will cause young listeners to commit suicide.
The co-owner of Taking Home the Hits in Alexandria, Alabama, is arrested in June for selling 2
Live Crew's Move Somethin' to an undercover police officer.
After initially agreeing to broadcast the world premiere of Neil Young's "This Note's For You"
on July 1st, MTV refuses to air the video clip. MTV eventually reconsiders the matter and begins
airing the video.
Retailers across the country refuse to carry Prince's Love Sexy, protesting the record's cover,
which contains a nude, yet unrevealing, photograph of Prince.
Protestors in Santa Cruz, California, picket retailers carrying Guns 'N Roses' debut album
Appetite for Destruction, despite the fact that the offensive cover art has already been replaced.
1989
In January, Yusef Islam, better known as folk singer Cat Stevens, is misquoted regarding the
Ayatollah Khomeni's call for the death of The Satanic Verses author Salman Rushdie. Following
press reports of the statement pronouncement, radio stations across the U.S. pull his records from
play. Radio talk show host Tom Leykis runs a steam roller over a collection of Cat Stevens
records in protest.
The City Council of New Iberia, Louisiana, enacts an emergency ordinance that adds music to
the list of materials that must be kept from view of unmarried people under age 17.
The RIAA releases its black and white universal parental warning sticker in early March that
reads, "Explicit Lyrics - Parental Warning."
A Pepsi commercial set to Madonna's song "Like A Prayer" is pulled after one airing because
religious groups are offended by the song's accompanying video.
Guns 'N Roses are cut from the New York AIDS benefit "Rock And A Hard Place," because of
the lyrics to their song "One In A Million."
Following complaints about Cher's video for "If I Could Turn Back Time," several video
channels drop or restrict the music clip.
MTV refuses to air a Fuzztones video that contains an oblique reference to condoms. MTV
demands that the lyric "rubbers" (an antiquated term for foul-weather footwear) be changed to
"raincoat" before it will air the video.
The Hastings Record Store chain institutes a policy that states certain rap and rock titles cannot
be sold to minors in its 130 stores nationwide.
The Pennsylvania house passes a bill requiring a warning label on all albums with explicit lyrics.
The Pennsylvania legislators place the burden of enforcement (and criminal liability) on the
backs of local retailers.
The Federal Communications Commission launches a campaign to clean up a backlog of radio
obscenity complaints, handing out thousands of dollars in fines to stations in order to discourage
them from playing risqué music.
Officials at the FBI write to gangsta rap group N.W.A. in August, informing the performers that
the bureau does not appreciate their song "Fuck Tha Police."
Also in August, MTV enacts a policy that a lyric sheet must accompany all videos submitted to
the network. The network rejects videos it feels endorses or promotes violence, illegal drugs,
excessive alcohol consumption, or explicit depictions of sexual practices.
After protests from the gay community in September, Los Angeles radio station KDAY pulls
from rotation the song "Truly Yours," by Kool G. Rap and D.J. Polo from rotation.
In Texarkana, Texas, city officials force the Dimension Cable Service to offer channel-blockers
to prevent MTV from entering the homes of concerned families. After the channel-blockers are
offered free of charge to Dimension's 22,000 subscribers, only 40 units are requested by
customers.
1990
Missouri legislators introduce a bill in January that forbids the sale of records containing lyrics
that are violent, sexually explicit or perverse. Similar measures are introduced in 20 other states.
The City Council in Westerly, Rhode Island, passes an ordinance to thwart an upcoming 2 Live
Crew concert in the city. The legislation forces the promoter to appear in court to justify why his
entertainment license should not be revoked for sponsoring the band's appearance.
To avoid the newly adopted universal warning sticker, many major recording companies (such as
MCA, Arista, Atlantic, Columbia, Electra, Epic, EMI, and RCA) establish committees to review
upcoming releases for objectionable material.
Three county prosecutors in Eastern Pennsylvania warn retailers in April that they may be
prosecuted if they sell 2 Live Crew's Nasty As They Wanna Be to minors. Prosecutors in Chester
and Delaware County join Montgomery County prosecutor Michael Marino in declaring the
album obscene.
Disc Jockey, a retail chain with nearly 200 stores, announces it will not carry any album with the
warning sticker. Another large retailer, Trans World (with more than four hundred stores)
announces they will require proof of age before selling stickered products.
The Broward County, Florida, Sheriff's department embarks on a campaign to eliminate 2 Live
Crew records from the county, spurred by the group's current hit, "Me So Horny". After
receiving a judge's declaration that the album is obscene, the Sheriff's office immediately mails
copies of the judge's ruling to record retailers in the county. They follow up with visits to more
than a dozen record stores to inform retailers that they potentially face arrest and prosecution as
felons if they continue selling the record. The matter is tied up in the courts for more than three
years.
Record Bar, a retail chain with more than 170 stores, announces that it will pull all 2 Live Crew
recordings from its stores due to the controversy surrounding the band.
Waxworks, a chain music retailer, refuses to stock any product that carries a parental warning
sticker for fear of potential protests and obscenity prosecutions. Following customer complaints
and the adaptation of the music industry's standard sticker, the chain reverses its decision.
Also in March, a Tennessee judge rules that 2 Live Crew's Nasty As They Wanna Be and
N.W.A.'s Straight Outta Compton are obscene under state law. Anyone arrested for selling the
records could face fines from $10,000 to $100,000, depending upon the involvement of minors
in the offense.
An Indianapolis record store falls victim to a private sting organized by the group Decency In
Broadcasting involving the sale of 2 Live Crew's Nasty As They Wanna Be to minors.
Following the controversy surrounding 2 Live Crew's obscenity battle in Florida, six states pass
legislation declaring the band's album Nasty As They Wanna Be legally obscene. The states are
Florida, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.
Utah Republican Howard Nielson introduces a resolution in Congress that calls for a stricter
labeling system for controversial recordings.
In May, a Hamilton, Ohio, a record storeowner is pressured by local law enforcement officials to
stop carrying 2 Live Crew's Nasty As They Wanna Be. The retailer voluntarily pulls the record
and avoids possible criminal proceedings.
Fred Meyer Music, a 100-store retailer with outlets in six states, creates its own stickering
system to warn parents of objectionable lyrics.
In San Antonio, Texas, a record storeowner is jailed for selling a copy of 2 Live Crew's Nasty As
They Wanna Be to the twenty-year-old son of an anti-pornography activist.
Also in June, James Anders, county solicitor in Columbia, South Carolina, gives local record
stores ten days to remove 2 Live Crew's Nasty As They Wanna Be from their shelves.
Fearing the effects of exposure to controversial songs and performers, the city of Memphis bans
minors from attending concerts that feature "potentially harmful" material. The ordinance
mimics several others passed in cities such as San Antonio, Texas, and Jacksonville, Florida.
In June, a Nebraska radio station leads a boycott of k.d. lang for her anti-meat beliefs. The
station rarely plays lang's records, so their action is largely symbolic.
Louisiana considers a bill to criminalize the sale or distribution of stickered products to any
unmarried persons under the age of 17.
After receiving multiple complaints from retailers who threaten to refuse to carry the album,
Jane's Addiction release a second cover for its album Ritual de lo Habitual. The alternative
cover shows the band's and album's names, and the text of the First Amendment to the U. S.
Constitution.
About two months after members of 2 Live Crew were arrested in a Florida nightclub for
performing material from their controversial album Nasty As They Wanna Be, members of the
New York rock band Too Much Joy are arrested in the same club for performing 2 Live Crew
songs.
Record World refuses to carry the debut album by Professor Griff in any of its stores, calling it
"totally obscene."
The lead singer of the heavy metal parody band, GWAR, is arrested in Charlotte, North
Carolina, on charges of "disseminating obscenity" at one of the band's performances.
After promoting its premier in a day long "Madonnathon," MTV refuses to air Madonna's video
for "Justify My Love" because it contains scenes of sadomasochism, homosexuality, crossdressing, and group sex.
1991
Wal-Mart, the nation's largest retailer, announces it will not carry any stickered albums in its
stores.
In June, Tele-Community Antenna, a cable service provider with 53 systems in six states, pulls
MTV from all its systems. Although TCA denies that negative publicity influences their
decision, TCA restores MTV to most of its systems within two weeks.
One of the nation's largest cable providers, with 55 systems in nineteen states, announces it plans
to replace MTV with the less-controversial Video Jukebox Network. Sammons relents and
returns MTV to its basic cable service four months later.
Country Music Television and its parent company The Nashville Network both ban Garth
Brooks' video for "The Thunder Rolls" because it graphically depicts domestic violence.
The Simon Wiesenthal Center, a Jewish human-rights group, lobbies four major record chains to
remove Ice Cube's Death Certificate from their shelves.
1992
MTV refuses to air Public Enemy's video for "Hazy Shade of Criminal" because it violates the
network's standards for violence.
Washington State legislators pass a bill banning the sale of "erotic music" to minors; the bill
amends the state's "harmful to minors" statute to include musical recordings.
Following the controversy surrounding Ice Cube's album Death Certificate, the state of Oregon
makes it illegal to display Ice Cube's image in any retail store. The ban even extends to ads for
St. Ides Malt Liquor, which uses Ice Cube as a spokesperson.
The police chief of Guilderland, New York, threatens local retailers who sell albums bearing the
universal parental warning sticker with violation of New York's obscenity laws.
Super Club Music Corporation releases a memo in April restricting sales of stickered and nonstickered rap titles to minors. Furthermore, the chain encourages managers to restrict the sale of
certain titles to customers eighteen and older, whether they carry a warning label by the
manufacturer.
In a sting coordinated by a group calling themselves Oklahoma for Decency, four music stores in
Omaha, Nebraska, are charged with "distributing material harmful to minors" for selling 2 Live
Crew's Sports Weekend to teenagers.
John Moran's "The Manson Family" becomes the first classical recording to carry a parental
warning sticker.
Following intense public pressure and protest, in July Ice-T drops the song "Cop Killer" from his
Body Count album. One month after the album is released, police organizations across the
country protest Ice-T, begin boycotting all Time-Warner products, and threaten to divest the
Time-Warner stock owned by police pension funds.
After Irish singer Sinead O'Connor tears up a photograph of Pope John Paul II during a
December performance on Saturday Night Live, critics quickly call for boycotts of her albums.
1993
Protests erupt after Guns 'N Roses releases their album The Spaghetti Incident, which contains a
cover version of a song written by Charles Manson.
In October, two Urban Contemporary radio stations (WBLS-FM in New York and KACE-FM in
Los Angeles) announce they will begin to screen rap songs according to their own standards of
decency.
Wal-Mart and K-Mart refuse to stock Nirvana's second major label album, In Utero, because
they object to the cover art and one of the song titles. Shortly after the record becomes the
number one selling album in the country, the mass merchandisers strike a deal to carry the
album. The album's back cover art is subdued and the title of the offending song is changed from
"Rape Me" to "Waif Me."
1994
Pennsylvania legislators consider a bill aimed at preventing retailers from selling stickered
records, tapes, and compact discs to minors.
The House Energy and Commerce subcommittee holds hearings in April to determine the
necessity of rating "gangsta" rap records to prevent violence among teens.
House Speaker Newt Gingrich tells Broadcasting and Cable magazine that he strongly
encourages advertisers to pull all advertisements on radio stations that broadcast rap music.
Singer Marilyn Manson is arrested by police in Jacksonville, Florida, for violating the "Adult
Entertainment Code." Police thought Manson was inserting a dildo into his anus while urinating
on the audience.
1995
Time Warner CEO Gerald Levin asks Warner Music executives to draft a more specific ratings
system to replace the current RIAA universal sticker.
Following protests that Michael Jackson's song "They Don't Care About Us" is anti-Semitic,
Jackson changes the song's lyrics.
In May, conservative William Bennett and National Political Congress of Black Women
chairwoman C. Delores Tucker speak at a Time-Warner shareholders meetings and urge the
company to drop all Warner Music's rap artists who use violent and/or sexually degrading lyrics.
Ten years after the PMRC's creation, the organization's Executive Director, Barbara Wyatt,
renews the call for a records ratings system that is similar to the system in place for films and
television.
In December, during their lunch hours, fifteen state employees drive to Boston's WBCN-FM to
picket the station for playing music from Hempilation, a CD released as a fundraiser for the
National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML).
1996
Religious and civic leaders push for the cancellation of a January White Zombie concert in
Johnson City, Tennessee.
Wal-Mart refuses to carry Sheryl Crow's self-titled second album because one of the songs
contains an unflattering comment about the discount retailer's gun sales policy.
A young boy claims the song "Altar of Sacrifice" by the group Slayer encouraged he and two
others to kill a fifteen-year-old girl, prompting a lawsuit against the band by the girl’s family.
1997
In New Braunfels, Texas, 18-year-old John Schroder is arrested in a local grocery store and
charged with making an obscene display for wearing a Marilyn Manson tee shirt.
A group calling themselves the "Oklahomans for Children and Families" urges the Oklahoma
City Council to cancel a lease with a concert promoter who is planning a Marilyn Manson
concert at the State Fairgrounds.
Three owners of Lyric Hall in Oxford, Mississippi, are arrested and handed six month jail terms
for booking a performance by 2 Live Crew.
The Philadelphia Fraternal Order of Police sues The Crucifucks and their label, Alternative
Tentacles, for featuring a photo of a dead policeman on the cover of the band's album Our Will
Be Done.
City officials in Richmond, Virginia attempt to cancel a Marilyn Manson concert because they
feel the group's songs promote rape, murder, and self-mutilation.
In June, Insane Clown Posse's The Great Milenko is pulled from stores and the band is dropped
from their record label within hours of the album's release. The band's label, Hollywood Records,
receives their marching orders from their parent company, Disney, even though company
officials had known of the album's content for nearly a year.
Also in June, Texas Governor George W. Bush signs into law a rider to a state appropriations
bill. The rider requires state pension funds to divest any assets that are invested in record
companies that produce "obscene" albums.
Local authorities ban a group of Cuban musicians from performing in Miami in September. The
musicians hope to play at an international trade show to showcase the talent of Latin American
and Caribbean artists.
Kansas Senator Sam Brownback leads the Senate Commerce Committee in a November hearing
on popular music lyrics and the effectiveness of the Recording Industry Association of America
(RIAA) universal parental warning sticker.
Students at Southview High School in Fayetteville, North Carolina, are suspended in December
after protesting a ban on rock and rap t-shirts in their school.
Following protests by groups such as The National Organization for Women over the single
"Smack My Bitch Up," K-Mart and Wal-Mart pull Prodigy's The Fat of the Land from shelves even though they have sold the CD for nine months.
1998
Legislators in South Carolina introduce legislation that requires concerts to carry ratings similar
to those featured on television programs and movies.
18-year-old Eric Van Hoven is suspended from Zeeland High School in Holland, Michigan, for
wearing a tee shirt promoting the band Korn, even though the shirt contains no images or words
save the band's name.
Police arrest Shawn Thomas in March after reading the lyrics to his new album 'Til My Casket
Drops. Thomas - better known as gangsta rapper C-Bo - had been paroled in early 1997 after
serving nine months on a weapons-related conviction. Thomas' parole agreement, states that he is
not permitted "to engage in any behavior which promotes the gang lifestyle, criminal behavior
and/or violence against law enforcement." But "Deadly Game," a song on the new CD, contains
lyrics criticizing California's "three strikes and you're out" law. "You better swing, batter, swing
'cause once you get your third felony, yeah, 50 years you gotta bring ...Fuck my P.O., I'm going
A.W.O.L. ... bound for another state, me and my crew ...California and Pete Wilson can suck my
dick." Within days of the album's release, Thomas is arrested and charged with parole violation.
Florida legislators withhold $104,000 in state funding for public radio station WMNF because
they object to the station's programming.
At a Fort Worth, Texas, conference sponsored by Crime Prevention Resource Center (CPRC),
representatives of several local police departments advocate the forced hospitalization of
Marilyn Manson fans, also advocating the classification of "goth rock" fans as street gangs.
An April Indigo Girls concert scheduled for a South Carolina high school is canceled when the
school's principal learns the performers are gay.
William Bennett and C. Delores Tucker renew their calls against rap music, this time joined by
U.S. Senators Joseph Lieberman and Sam Nunn. Examples of the group's targets include:
Wu-Tang Clan, The Notorious B.I.G., Geto Boys, The Dogg Pound, Tupac Shakur,
Gravediggaz, Cypress Hill, Lords of Acid, Black Crowes, and Blues Traveler.
Michigan legislators consider a bill that will require minors to be accompanied by their parents
to certain rock concerts. Under the bill, advertisements for such concerts must include a warning
label that is similar to CDs and cassettes.
Westerly, Rhode Island, high school student Robert Parker is suspended for wearing a shirt
inscribed with a "devilish" message. The shirt features the numbers "666" and a rendering of
singer Rob Zombie.
The high school band at Fort Zumbald North High School in St. Louis is forbidden from playing
the Jefferson Airplane hit "White Rabbit" because of drug references in the song's lyrics, even
though the band's version of the song is entirely instrumental.
1999
Police organizations across the country call for the cancellation of a sold-out concert scheduled
for New Jersey's Continental Arena. The concert, featuring headliners Rage Against The
Machine, the Beastie Boys, and Bad Religion, is a fundraiser for death-row inmate Mumia
Abu-Jamal.
In February, the City Council of Richmond, Virginia, unanimously passes an ordinance
outlawing any "pornographic" performance if minors might view such performances.
Richmond's council previously attempted to ban Marilyn Manson from performing at the cityowned Richmond Coliseum.
State representatives in Georgia and North Dakota introduce legislation forbidding the sale of
stickered CDs and cassettes to minors.
High school students at Kettle Moraine High School in Wales, Wisconsin, are required to show
ID to view Rolling Stone magazine in their school library. The school board decides that students
must be 18 years of age to view the magazine's contents, even though a child of any age could
purchase it at local stores.
Michigan passes legislation aimed at creating a concert ratings system that is similar to the
system used to rate movies.
Local residents pressure the school board in Streetsboro, Ohio, after the board agrees that school
facilities can be used for "Spring Mosh '99." The city's mayor had originally denied a permit for
the event, citing safety concerns during the concert.
Following a customer complaint about obscene lyrics, both Wal-Mart and K-Mart pull
Godsmack's self-titled debut album, even though the band's label (Universal) did not feel the
album lyrics warranted a parental warning sticker.
State assemblyman Robert D'Andrea introduces a bill in the New York legislature aimed at
banning the sale of targeted recordings to minors.
In the wake of the school shootings in Littleton, Colorado, presidential candidate Dan Quayle
suggests that conservatives publish the names and addresses of record company executives and
board members. Quayle feels the information may prove useful so "neighbors can go to their
fancy cocktail parties and make them ashamed."
Kansas Senator Sam Brownback holds a congressional hearing before the Senate Commerce
Committee into the link between teen violence and the entertainment industry.
A school superintendent in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, forbids students from wearing Marilyn
Manson tee shirts or other "goth" attire.
State park officials in Kentucky un-invite blues singer Bobby Rush, because they fear his act is
too sexually suggestive.
The City Council of Fresno, California, unanimously passes a resolution that condemns
musicians whose music is filed with "anger and hate."
President Clinton requests, and Congress approves, government inquiries into any possible link
between teen violence and the entertainment industry. The measure charges the Federal Trade
Commission and the Justice Department to investigate if the entertainment industry targets
advertising for violent products at children (similar to an investigation of the tobacco industry
two years earlier).
A Jewish advocacy group calls for boycotts of the rap group Public Enemy over their single
"Swindler's Lust," claiming that the single is anti-Semitic. Abraham Foxman, national director of
the Anti-Defamation League, says the song is rife with anti-Semitic references.
K-Mart refuses to stock Ministry's Dark Side of the Spoon because the company objects to the
album's cover, which features an overweight nude woman who is wearing a dunce hat and facing
a chalkboard.
Senator Sam Brownback writes a letter to Seagrams/MCA (parent company to Interscope
Records), asking them "to cease and desist profiteering from peddling violence to young people,"
and suggesting that the company cease production of all Marilyn Manson records.
The Parish-City Council of Lafayette, Louisiana, passes an ordinance that requires truth in
concert advertising, following an appearance of the Family Values Tour (featuring hard-core and
rap acts such as Korn, Orgy, Ice Cube, and Limp Bizkit) at the area's Cajundome.
Church groups and community members in Georgia campaign for the cancellation of the Hard
Rock Rockfest, fearing the music of some of the artists will incite attendees to commit violent
acts that are similar to those recently experienced at schools in Colorado and Georgia.
Congressman Henry Hyde of Illinois introduces legislation that would require music retailers
to provide lyric sheets to parents "on demand."
Senators McCain of Arizona and Lieberman of Connecticut introduce to the Senate the 21st
Century Media Responsibility Act of 1999. The measure proposes changing the Cigarette
Labeling and Advertising Act (which strictly regulates how tobacco products can be advertised)
to include entertainment products.
The County Commission in Birmingham, Alabama passes a resolution to "eliminate violent,
vulgar concerts" from the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex.
In July, officials at the P.S. 1 Contemporary Art Center in Long Island City, New York, cancel a
musical performance presented by Bedroom Productions featuring a group of deejays and
electronic musicians. Officials received complaints from local residents about the performance,
which contained obscenities directed towards police.
In August, the national Fraternal Order of Police announces a mass boycott against musical
artists who support a new trial for death-row inmate Mumia Abu-Jamal. The group specifically
targets Rage Against The Machine and the Beastie Boys, but plans to keep an updated list on
its website once it has compiled a list of all the musicians who support Abu-Jamal.
In October, the group Rock for Life urges mass boycotts and cancellations of Rage Against The
Machine over the content of their album The Battle for Los Angeles.
In November, 400 police officers picket a Rage Against The Machine concert at the
Worchester Centrum in Massachusetts after calling for the concert's cancellation. The protestors
are angered by the band's support of convicted murderer Mumia Abu-Jamal.
Third Eye Blind gives in to record company pressure to remove the song "Slow Motion" from
their second album, Blue. The song, originally intended as an anti-violence song, contains
multiple reference to drugs, violence, and youth murders similar to the Columbine shootings
earlier in the year.
The National Football League drops a series of four commercials based on rapper Eminem's
song "My Name Is" because they felt the song was too controversial, even though the
commercials contained none of the original lyrics.
2000
During his annual State of the Union speech in January, President Bill Clinton calls for a
voluntary, uniform ratings system for the entertainment industry.
Police officers in Northwood, Ohio, order 14-year-old Daniel Shellhammer to remove his shirt,
which features slogans for the rap group Insane Clown Posse. The officers inform Shellhammer
that Insane Clown Posse clothing is "banned" in Ohio and that they tear the shirt off his back
and arrest him if he does not comply.
Police in New Iberia, Louisiana, close down a roller skating rink in February, and seize more
than 60 CDs, after a fight broke out in the rink's parking lot. Police accused the rink's
management of instigating the incident by playing music over the rink's PA system. Amongst the
confiscated CDs are Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, and the popular tunes "The Chicken
Dance," "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer," "The Hokey Pokey," and "Jingle Bells."
A private school in San Antonio, Texas, suspends four students for attending a Backstreet Boys
concert in March. The students are suspended for one day for violating a school policy
forbidding "involvement in inappropriate music [or] dancing."
Tennessee's state Senate and General Assembly consider the "Tennessee 21st Century Media
Market Responsibility Act of 2000," which requires state's Department of Children's Services to
screen movies, video games, and music. The legislation also calls for a ratings system for all
violent entertainment media which decides on the appropriateness of material for young people.
After airing the video for over a month, MTV requests edits in the video for the Bloodhound
Gang's "The Bad Touch." The request comes after complaints from the Gay and Lesbian
Alliance Against Defamation.
The rap group The Murderers see their album Irv Gotti Presents The Murderers delayed three
times over their label's concerns about the album's themes.Students at the University of
Maryland and University of Wisconsin ask for the cancellation of performances by the
Bloodhound Gang over lyric content of an unreleased song. The song, entitled, "Yellow Fever,"
details the protagonist's desire to have sex with Asian women.
The New York Fraternal Order of Police places Bruce Springsteen on its boycott list, and calls
for the cancellation of his New York performances, after Springsteen debuts a song about the
shooting of Amadou Diallo entitled, "American Skin."
In August, two Michigan concerts of the Up in Smoke tour (staring Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Ice
Cube, and Eminem) cause police intervention over violent and sexual imagery. During the
concert, a video is shown featuring a robbery and partially-naked women.
The Federal Trade Commission holds hearings before the U.S. Senate contending that the
entertainment industry (including record companies) should be regulated and sanctioned for
deliberately marketing violent and sexual content to children.
Loud Records succumbs to pressure from national video outlets to remove images of nooses
around the necks of Dead Prez in the clip for their song “They Schools.” Group member M-1
objected, saying “This represents our people, poor and oppressed, trying to claim their right to a
fair and just life. The U.S. education system has been the primary force behind the miseducation
of our people.”
Ten University of Illinois students lobby the institution to cancel an on-campus concert by the
Anger Management Tour because the concert tour features rapper Eminem. According to a
spokesperson for the students, “We believe that [Eminem’s] lyrics are a form of harassment
categorically on the basis of sexual orientation and sex.”
Circuit City announces it will put a cardboard sleeve around Marilyn Manson’s Holy Wood CD
in its 622 stores. The cover features a painting of singer Manson, crucified and gored. The
cardboard cover-up features a picture of Manson’s face taken from the original cover.
Two New Jersey state senators introduce a bill requiring a mandatory parental advisory sticker
on CDs that advocate suicide, incest, bestiality, sadomasochism, rape or involuntary sexual
penetration, murder, morbid violence, ethnic, racial intimidation, the use of illegal drugs or the
excessive or illegal use of alcohol. Under the law, any artist that discusses these themes, and
does not have a mandatory sticker, will be subject to fines and imprisonment.
The Bloodhound Gang cancel a demand that certain elements of their concert be removed from
the Boise show. The band received a six-page fax from the show’s promoter, Bravo
Entertainment, detailing the offensive elements to be removed.
Circuit City pulls the Free the West Memphis Three benefit CD after receiving complaints from
the group Parents of Murdered Children. Transworld Entertainment (which owns Strawberries,
Camelot, Coconuts, and Record Town) also pulls the CD.
2001
A Connecticut state senator announces his intention to initiate legislation to ban sale of some
music to children under 18. Senator John Kissel justifies his action saying “Many of these
cassettes and CDs are replete with hate speech and calls to violence.”
Connecticut U.S. Senator Joseph Lieberman introduces legislation that would fine music
companies $11,000 a day for marketing CDs with “Parental Advisory” stickers to minors.
After a performance in Daytona Beach, Florida, the city’s mayor announces he will do
everything possible to ensure rapper Eminem does not perform in the city again. The mayor was
upset by the use of profanity and drug references during the concert.
A federal court ruled that a student is not permitted to wear an Insane Clown Posse t-shirt to
school, saying it is disruptive. The school principal says the t-shirt is not the issue, but the
philosophies the band represents.
Members of the Harvest Assembly of God Church in Butler County, Pennsylvania, burn a
collection of books, tapes, and CDs. Music included in the burning: REM, Joe Walsh,
Foreigner, AC/DC, and Pearl Jam, among others. Said one church member, “We thought we
wouldn’t be loyal to God by listening to them.”
MTV pulls the video for Madonna’s “What It Feels Like for a Girl” because of the video’s
depiction of violence.
Police in Galveston, Texas, handcuff rapper L-Burna, aka Layzie Bone, for reciting explicit
lyrics to his entourage outside their hotel. Galveston has laws against public profanity.
A mother in Montgomery County, Maryland, sues AOL Time Warner and Trick Daddy because
a CD labled “Clean” contained profanity. She charges the rapper and his label misrepresent the
product to consumers.
A Denver, Colorado, group called Citizens for Peace and Respect, with the support of the state’s
governor and congressman, rally against a local appearance by Marilyn Manson. In the wake of
the 1999 Columbine shootings, it was widely (and incorrectly) believed that Manson’s music
inspired the killings.
A promoter in Jackson, Tennessee, pulls the plug on a concert by Juvenile because of profane
lyrics, saying it is not appropriate for children. No refunds are offered.
Producers of Late Night with David Letterman cancel an appearance by singer Ani DiFranco
after she refuses to drop plans to perform the song “Subdivision.” The song deals with racism
and white flight to the suburbs.
MTV decides to air the popular tune “Because I Got High”—but only in certain day parts
because of its drug theme. The network says it will not air the video during its popular teen
show, “Total Request Live.”
Police in Fall River, Massachusetts, shut down a concert by Prognosis Negative for vulgar
language and lyrics against police, claiming the community festival where the band is
performing is “family-oriented.” Festival organizers vow the musicians will not play at the
festival again, even as members of other bands.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) releases its second report on the marketing of violent
entertainment to children, reserving its strongest language for the music industry. According to
the FTC, teenagers have no trouble buying CDs with “Parental Advisory” labels, and
advertisements for these releases are regularly featured in media that cater to young people. In
the report, the FTC recommends that the music industry enforce its policies about underage
purchase of stickered CDs and cease advertising in media with a "substantial" youth audience.
According to the FTC, the industry’s attitudes towards both are woefully inadequate and
meaningless.
The FCC fines KBOO, a community radio station in Portland, Oregon, for playing a song by
poet Sarah Jones and DJ Vadim entitled "Your Revolution." The song, a send-up of the Gil
Scott-Heron classic "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" condemns rappers for demanding
an equal society for themselves, yet still filling their music with misogynistic lyrics. The FCC
agrees with an anonymous complainant that the song’s lyrics are profane.
The Federal Communications Commission fines two radio stations for playing Eminem’s “The
Real Slim Shady.” While WZEE is fined for airing the original (unedited) version, KKMG in
Colorado is fined for playing a profanity-free radio edit.
Under pressure from Italian-American organizations, the Denver House of Blues and Opera
Colorado cancel a musical performance by Dominic Chianese. In addition to being a folk music
performer, Chianese is an actor in the HBO series The Sopranos, which offends some members
of the Italian community.
AOL removes posts from a political discussion boards that contain quotes from Bruce
Springsteen lyrics—saying the lyrics quoted violate its “Terms of Service” prohibition against
vulgarity. The lyrics AOL objected to: “Bobby said he’d pull out, Bobby stayed in,” from the
song “Spare Parts” as well as “Jenny’s fingers were in the cake” from “Spirit In The Night.”
In the wake of the September 11th terrorist attacks many musicians change song titles or lyrics to
avoid controversy. These artists include Dave Matthews nixed plans to release “When the
World Ends” as his next single, Bush changing the title of their single from “Speed Kills” to
“The People That We Love,” the Cranberries pulling their video for “Analyse” because of its
repeated images of skyscrapers and airplanes, Dream Theater changing the artwork from their
three-disc live album to remove its renditions of burning New York buildings, Sheryl Crow
rewriting several lyrics for her upcoming album, and The Strokes removing the song “New
York City Cops” from the U.S. Version of their album Is This It.
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence forbids “Danny Boy” and other secular songs from
being performed during funeral masses.
Following the September 11th terrorist attacks, Clear Channel Communications, the largest
owner of radio stations in the United States, releases a list of more than 150 "lyrically
questionable"songs that station's may want to pull from their playlists. Few songs portray explicit
violence, but most have metaphoric themes that ring a bit too close to the tragedies. The list,
containing music from almost every genre in popular music, includes Sugar Ray's "Fly," "Jet
Airliner" by Steve Miller, Nine Inch Nails'; "Head Like a Hole," AC/DC's "Shoot to Thrill" and
"Highway to Hell," Pat Benatar's "Hit Me with Your Best Shot," "Dust in the Wind" by
Kansas, Jerry Lee Lewis's "Great Balls of Fire," REM's "It's the End of the World as We Know
It," "Only the Good Die Young" by Billy Joel, Dave Matthews Band's "Crash Into Me,"
"Nowhere to Run" by Martha & the Vandellas, and all songs by Rage Against The Machine.
2002
Administrators at schools in Bethesda, Maryland, and Los Angeles, California move to ban
“freak dancing” at school functions, which they consider disruptive and vulgar.
BMG Music Group releases the first enhanced Parental Advisory stickers that contain additional
warnings about strong language, violent content and sexual content. The first disc stickered with
the new label is Lady May’s May Day.
Steve Earle’s song “John Walker Blues” ignited calls for its censorship in the Wall Street
Journal and The New York Post two months before its release. The song looks at events through
Walker’s eyes, yet does not endorse Walker’s actions or fate, nor does it take any ideological
stance on Walker’s beliefs. According to Nashville talk radio host Steve Gill, “Earle runs the risk
of becoming the Jane Fonda of the war on terrorism by embracing John Walker and his Talibuddies.”
Paper presented at the 2002 World Conference on Music Censorship in
Copenhagen, Denmark.
September 29th, 2002.
Crash Into Me, Baby:
America’s implicit music censorship in the wake of September 11th
By Eric Nuzum
“Freedom has been attacked, but freedom will be defended.”
These were the words of President George Bush shortly after the September 11th terrorist attacks
on the United States. Bush went on to say that the terrorists “cannot touch the foundation of
America” and “we go forward to defend freedom.”[1] Despite Bush’s rhetoric, the actions of the
U.S. government demonstrated a slightly different tact for protecting the American way of life.
Within hours of the attacks, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) installed its controversial
Carnivore system at some Internet providers to monitor and eavesdrop on electronic
communications, especially those to and from accounts with Arabic names and words in the user
IDs. Within two days, the U.S. Senate had adopted legislation making it easier for the FBI to
obtain warrants. Also, within a week of the attacks, many elected representatives were promoting
“anti-terrorism” legislation meant to allow law enforcement to gather private financial and
education records and information, expand the definition of a “terrorist” to anyone who knows or
should know that an organization they support in any way is a terrorist organization, and seize
the property of those so suspected.[2]
The words of other politicians didn’t match those of their Commander in Chief. U.S. Senators
Jon Kyl (R-Arizona) and Trent Lott (R-Mississippi), and House Democratic Leader Richard
Gephardt (D-Missouri), all said that the erosion of civil liberties was “inevitable.” “We’re in a
new world,” Gephardt said. “We have to rebalance freedom and security.” Vermont’s governor,
Howard Dean, said the crisis would require “a reevaluation of the importance of some of our
specific civil liberties.”
The American people seemed to get the message sent by their government: in order to protect
you, you’ll need to give up some of your freedom. The message resonated with the public, with
an ABC-Washington Post poll finding 66% of Americans willing to give up some civil liberties
to combat terrorism.
Further complicating the protection of civil rights in the United States was the myopic jingoism
permeating America, creating an atmosphere of visceral intolerance. Peace activists and civil
libertarians were branded as “un-American” and “crazy communists.” Displays of American
flags in public places became an expectation. One national talk show host referred to the
American Civil Liberties Union as “the American version of al Qaida.” Many unpopular and
dissenting opinions were dismissed as “unpatriotic.”
This put the American music industry in a difficult position. Traditionally a voice for almost all
political and ideological persuasions, many artists and music companies felt the need to display
some newfound sensitivity: Dave Matthews nixed plans to release “When the World Ends” as his
next single, Bush changed the title of their new single from “Speed Kills” to “The People That
We Love,” the Cranberries pulled their video for “Analyse” because of its repeated images of
skyscrapers and airplanes, Dream Theater changed the artwork from their three-disc live album
to remove its renditions of burning New York buildings, and Sheryl Crow rewrote several lyrics
for her upcoming album.
While many of these gestures were simple exercises in latent taste, others were not. For example,
The Strokes removed the song “New York City Cops” from the U.S. Version of their album Is
This It. Like so many pop songs, the lyrics and theme of “New York City Cops” deal with a
relationship, but it does contain some lyrics, such as “New York City cops—they ain’t too
smart,” that could cause potential consternation in a post September 11th America.[3]
The official Website for the group Rage Against the Machine—a high profile virtual soapbox
and town square for social and political discussion and debate among the group’s fans—shut
down its discussion boards shortly after the attacks following queries to the band and site’s
management by federal officials. Further, the hip-hop group The Coup was forced by their record
label, 75 Ark, to change the artwork for their album Party Music. The original cover featured the
group standing in front of an exploding World Trade Center. While admittedly eerie in the wake
of the attacks, the artwork (originally created eighteen months earlier) bore no direct connection
to the attacks. The cover had not been printed, but had been distributed electronically to media in
anticipation of the album’s release. Shortly after the attacks, the group’s leader, Boots Riley, told
Wired.com that the design “was supposed to be a metaphor for the capitalist state being
destroyed through music.” Though he had initially expressed concern about replacing the cover
image, Riley backed down to pressure from his record company.[4] “Two hours after the thing
happened, we got the call saying, ‘OK, you've got to have another album cover. No discussion,’”
Riley remembers. “That was it. It was one of the first things that I saw in a series of
censorship.”[5] The only further public comment on the cover came via a press statement
released by the label which read, “75 Ark recognizes and supports the artistic freedom of its
artists however, recent extraordinary events demand that we create new artwork for the
album.”[6]
Sensitivities still remained high almost a year later. Steve Earle’s song “John Walker Blues”
ignited calls for its censorship in the Wall Street Journal[7] and The New York Post two months
before it’s release. The song looks at events through Walker’s eyes[8], yet does not endorse
Walker’s actions or fate, nor does it take any ideological stance on Walker’s beliefs. According
to Nashville talk radio host Steve Gill, “Earle runs the risk of becoming the Jane Fonda of the
war on terrorism by embracing John Walker and his Tali-buddies.”
However, the incident that received the most attention was a rumored list of songs banned from
radio, each containing literal or metaphorical references a bit too close to recent events. The list,
containing more than 150 songs described as “lyrically questionable,” started as a grass-roots
effort by local programmers, then was redistributed to all programmers by a senior executive at
Clear Channel, the largest owner of radio stations in the United States. Among the listed songs
were “Fly,” “Jet Airliner,” “Head Like a Hole,” “Only the Good Die Young,” “Great Balls of
Fire,” “Crash Into Me,” “It’s the End of the World as We Know It,” and many more.[9]
When the story hit the mainstream press, most journalists got the story wrong. In a series of
lapsed journalistic judgments, reporters were too quick to believe that the list existed, then quick
to believe it was a hoax.
It was widely reported that Clear Channel overtly banned the songs to avoid consternation and
controversy, which wasn’t true. The list did originate in several versions, circulated among
colleagues at local radio stations. The lists were compiled by a senior vice president of
programming at Clear Channel, and then e-mailed from corporate management to the more than
1,100 individual stations under Clear Channel’s ownership. While the management e-mail did
not call for an overt ban on songs, it did ask that programmers use “restraint” when selecting
songs for airplay.
The story was initially reported on several radio industry web sites on September 14th [10], hitting
the mainstream media on September 17th, led by a story on Slate.com.[11] When the story
spread through the media, Clear Channel released a cleverly worded press statement titled,
“Clear Channel Says National ‘Banned Playlist’ Does Not Exist.” In the release, the company
stated, “Clear Channel Radio has not banned any songs from any of its radio stations.”[12] While
the statement might seem to end the matter, the statement is just as telling for what it doesn’t say
as for what it does. Clear Channel correctly pointed out that the original e-mail didn’t order
anyone to ban any songs, but nowhere in the statement does the company deny that a list of
“lyrically questionable” songs was created, edited by management, redistributed by management,
and then acted upon by its employees. The statement denies the existence of an explicit ban,
which is accurate, but does not deny the existence of the list. Further, the statement does not
deny any censorious actions by its employees.
While Clear Channel is quick to point out there was no explicit censorship involved with the list,
it is a perfect example of music censorship at its most implicit. Regardless of Clear Channel’s
intentions, censorship did occur. While many Clear Channel programmers were quoted in the
media as saying that they did not follow the suggestions of the e-mail, many times more said
they did indeed remove songs from broadcast because of the list or its suggested sense of
restraint.[13]
Unfortunately, the media didn’t apply the necessary scrutiny to Clear Channel’s statement. Just
as quickly as the media was swept into the controversy, the entire incident was written off as a
“hoax,” disappearing from public discussion. Thanks to Clear Channel’s savvy statement, the
company had convinced the press that the list didn’t exist at all; that earlier reports were no more
credible than any other Internet hoax, such as get rich quick chain e-mail schemes or tales of sick
children needing correspondence.
Arguments over the complicated truth of various accusations and denials surrounding the Clear
Channel list tend to distort the most troubling aspects of the incident. The real issue lies in the
list’s content, leading one to wonder exactly what Clear Channel’s executives and programmers
were trying to restrain.
While the list was mainly comprised of songs bearing lyrical references to burning, death, and
airplanes, it also advocated censure for “Peace Train” by Cat Stevens, John Lennon’s “Imagine,”
and all songs by Rage Against the Machine. What do these songs have to do with flying
airplanes into buildings? Absolutely nothing. Yet in the past each of these artists has expressed
controversial political sentiments that buck against mainstream beliefs.
“If our songs are ‘questionable’ in any way, it is that they encourage people to question the kind
of ignorance that breeds intolerance,” said Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello in an email statement. “Intolerance which can lead to censorship and the extinguishing of our civil
liberties, or at its extremes can lead to the kind of violence we witnessed.”[14]
The inclusion of many of the list’s songs shows a troubling degree of literalism and prejudice
when examining lyrical imagery. For example, “I Go to Pieces” was one of two songs by Peter
and Gordon included on the list. “I suppose a song about someone going to pieces could be
upsetting if someone took it literally,” said the group’s Peter Asher. “But ‘I can’t live without
love’ is a sentiment that’s as true in crisis as it is in normal times. It’s a totally pro-love sentiment
and could only be helpful right now.”[15]
The list’s existence and resulting actions are a perfect example of how a well-intentioned attempt
at “sensitivity” can quickly careen down the slippery slope towards stifled free expression. This
is hardly the first time American radio has taken such well-intentioned, yet censorious, action.
Back in 1940, the NBC radio network banned 147 popular songs containing potential sexual
innuendo, including Billie Holiday’s version of “Love for Sale,” calling these songs “obscene.”
In 1942, the United States government sent radio broadcasters a list of wartime practices,
including a ban on weather forecasts (which might help enemies plan air attacks), and a
suspension of listener requests (fearing it might allow the transmission of coded messages). In
order to safeguard the morality of America’s youth, Billboard Magazine got behind a 1954 effort
to rid radio of black R&B artists, claiming they “show bad taste and a disregard for recognized
moral standards.” In 1967, the ABC radio network and a group called the American Mothers’
Committee tried to remove all songs from airplay that “glorify sex, blasphemy, and drugs.” In
1970, when the Federal Communications Commission—under pressure from the Nixon
administration and working with a list of songs compiled by the U.S. Army—sent a telegram to
all radio owners warning them to remove all songs condoning drug use. Their list of songs
included “Yellow Submarine,” “Eight Miles High,” and “Puff (The Magic Dragon).”
The idea of what was considered offensive or dangerous may have been different back then, but
the reason such censorship needs to be resisted is the same. When we open the question of
“tasteful” or “appropriate” censorship—even a little—we turn rights into permissions. This
month, radio might not want to offend those affected by tragedy or jeopardize domestic security;
next time they may not want to play music that criticizes the government. You can imagine
where this ends up.
Unfortunately, defending music is easily dismissed by some Americans as comparatively trivial
in the wake of these horrible and gruesome tragedies. But should artistic liberties be cast aside in
a time of national crisis? That depends on what you define as freedom. Music’s reach and
pervasiveness puts it on the cutting edge of that definition.
Defense of artistic rights is a multifarious example of the importance of protecting civil
liberties—even on their periphery. While electronic wiretapping and the boundaries of searchand-seizure laws may not excite or directly impact a large number of Americans, their ability to
hear “Stairway to Heaven” or “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” does.
In America, we are exposed to more music in a day than any other art form, perhaps more than
all other forms of art combined. We use music in the most significant and most mundane of our
activities, both to focus intense feelings and to distract us from the occasional dullness of life.
While censors justify their actions based on music’s suggested provocative potential, their
actions completely disregard music’s demonstrated evocative nature. Thus, as we impede music,
we inhibit our ability to be fully human.
Music doesn’t have to be patriotic, sensitive, or even make sense. Music, at its most fundamental
core, is freedom.
It just needs to be there.
[1] Reuters (2001, September 16). “Poll: Americans Back Bush; Expect War.”
[2] Patman, Jean (2001, September 14). “First Amendment advocates fear erosion of rights in
aftermath of attacks.” The Freedom Forum. Internet: Link
[3] Lyrics to “New York City Cops” by The Strokes:
Here in the streets so mechanised
Rise to the bottom of the meaning of life
Studied all the rules didn't want no part
But I let you in just to break this heart
Even though it was only one night
It was fucking strange
Nina's in the bedroom
She said time to go now
But leavin' it ain't easy
I got to let go
I got to let go
And the hours they ran slow
I said everynight she just can't stop sayin'
New York City cops
New York City cops
New York City cops
They ain't too smart
New York City cops
New York City cops
New York City cops
They ain't too smart
Well, kill me now, I let you down
I swear one day we're gonna leave this town
Stop
Yes I'm leavin'
'Cause it just won't work
They act like Romans
But they dress like Turks
Sometime, in your prime
See me, I like the summertime
Nina's in the bedroom
She said time to go now
But leavin' it ain't easy
I got to let go
I got to let go
Oh!
Trapped in an apartment
She would not let them get her
She wrote it in a letter
I got to come clean
The authorities they've seen
darling I'm somewhere in between
I said everynight every night, I just can't stop sayin'
New York City cops
New York City cops
New York City cops
They ain't too smart
New York City cops
New York City cops
New York City cops
They ain't too smart
[4] It’s worth noting that Riley’s recollections of the incident have changed somewhat over the
past year. While he initially made statements suggesting that he strongly resisted the change,
later statements tell a slightly different story. In later accounts, Riley stated that his prime
concern was that a change might be interpreted as a change of heart regarding the group’s strong
anti-capitalist ideology.
[5]Baker, Soren (2001, 7 November). MTV Online. “Coup Change Blowing-Up-WTC Cover Art,
But Keep Revolutionary Message Intact” Internet: Link
[6] Internet: Link
[7] The Wall Street Journal (2002, July 24). Editorial.
[8] John Walker was the American citizen found fighting among the Taliban in Afghanistan,
captured by U.S. forces, brought to the United States for trial, and sentenced to prison for twenty
years.
[9] The list, as reported in the press, contains the following songs (list rearranged alphabetically
by title, original spellings left intact):

“99 Luft Balloons/99 Red Balloons,” Nina

“A Day in the Life,” The Beatles

“A Sign of the Times,” Petula Clark

“A World Without Love,” Peter and Gordon

“Aeroplane,” Red Hot Chili Peppers

“America,” Neil Diamond

“American Pie,” Don McLean

“And When I Die,” Blood Sweat and Tears

“Another One Bites the Dust,” Queen

“Bad Day,” Fuel

“Bad Religion,” Godsmack

“Benny & The Jets,” Elton John

“Big Bang Baby, Stone Temple Pilots ,” Dead and Bloated”

“Bits and Pieces,” Dave Clark Five

“Black is Black,” Los Bravos

“Blow Up the Outside World,” Soundgarden

“Blowin' in the Wind,” Peter Paul and Mary

“Bodies,” Drowning Pool

“Boom,” P.O.D.

“Bound for the Floor,” Local H

“Brain Stew,” Green Day

“Break Stuff,” Limp Bizkit

“Bridge Over Troubled Water,” Simon And Garfunkel

“Bullet With Butterfly Wings,” Smashing Pumpkins

“Burnin' For You,” Blue Oyster Cult

“Burning Down the House,” Talking Heads

“Chop Suey!,” System of a Down

“Click Click Boom,” Saliva

“Crash and Burn,” Savage Garden

“Crash Into Me,” Dave Matthews Band

“Crumbling Down,” John Mellencamp

“Dancing in the Streets,” Martha and the Vandellas/Van Halen

“Daniel,” Elton John

“Dead Man's Curve,” Jan and Dean

“Dead Man's Party,” Oingo Boingo

“Death Blooms,” Mudvayne

“Devil in Disguise,” Elvis Presley

“Devil with the Blue Dress,” Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels

“Dirty Deeds,” AC/DC

“Disco Inferno,” Tramps

“Doctor My Eyes,” Jackson Brown

“Down in a Hole,” Alice in Chains

“Down,” 311

“Dread and the Fugitive,” Megadeth

“Duck and Run,” 3 Doors Down

“Dust in the Wind,” Kansas

“End of the World,” Skeeter Davis

“Enter Sandman,” Metallica

“Eve of Destruction,” Barry McGuire

“Evil Ways,” Santana

“Fade to Black,” Metallica

“Falling Away From Me,” Korn

“Falling for the First Time,” Barenaked Ladies

“Fell on Black Days, Soundgarden ,” Black Hole Sun”

“Fire and Rain,” James Taylor

“Fire Woman,” The Cult

“Fire,” Arthur Brown

“Fly Away,” Lenny Kravitz

“Fly,” Sugar Ray

“Free Fallin',” Tom Petty

“Get Together,” Youngbloods

“Goin' Down,” Bruce Springsteen

“Great Balls of Fire,” Jerry Lee Lewis

“Harvester or Sorrow,” Metallica

“Have You Seen Her,” Chi-Lites

“He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother,” Hollies

“Head Like a Hole,” Nine Inch Nails

“Hell's Bells,” AC/DC

“Hey Joe,” Jimmy Hendrix

“Hey Man, Nice Shot,” Filter

“Highway to Hell,” AC/DC

“Hit Me with Your Best Shot,” Pat Benatar

“Holy Diver,” Dio

“I Feel the Earth Move,” Carole King

“I Go To Pieces,” Peter and Gordon

“I'm On Fire,” Bruce Springsteen

“I'm On Fire,” John Mellencamp

“Imagine,” John Lennon

“In the Air Tonight,” Phil Collins

“In the Year 2525,” Yager and Evans

“Intolerance,” Tool

“Ironic,” Alanis Morissette

“It's the End of the World as We Know It,” REM

“Jet Airliner,” Steve Miller

“Johnny Angel,” Shelly Fabares

“Jump,” Van Halen

“Jumper,” Third Eye Blind

“Killer Queen,” Queen

“Knockin' on Heaven's Door,” Bob Dylan/Guns N Roses

“Last Kiss,” J. Frank Wilson

“Learn to Fly,” Foo Fighters

“Leavin' on a Jet Plane,” Peter Paul and Mary

“Left Behind, Wait and Bleed,” Slipknot

“Live and Let Die,” Paul McCartney and Wings

“Love is a Battlefield,” Pat Benatar

“Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds,” The Beatles

“Mack the Knife,” Bobby Darin

“Morning Has Broken,” Cat Stevens

“Mother,” Pink Floyd

“My City Was Gone,” Pretenders

“Na Na Na Na Hey Hey,” Steam

“New York, New York,” Frank Sinatra

“Nowhere to Run,” Martha & the Vandellas

“Obla Di, Obla Da,” The Beatles

“On Broadway,” Drifters

“Only the Good Die Young,” Billy Joel

“Peace Train,” Cat Stevens

“Rescue Me,” Fontella Bass

“Rock the Casbah,” The Clash

“Rocket Man,” Elton John

“Rooster,” Alice in Chains

“Ruby Tuesday,” Rolling Stones

“Run Like Hell,” Pink Floyd

“Sabbath Bloody Sabbath,” Black Sabbath

“Sabotage,” Beastie Boys

“Safe in New York City,” AC/DC

“Santa Monica,” Everclear

“Say Hello to Heaven,” Temple of the Dog

“Sea of Sorrow,” Alice in Chains

“See You in Septemeber,” Happenings

“Seek and Destroy,” Metallica

“She's Not There,” Zombies

“Shoot to Thrill,” AC/DC

“Shot Down in Flames,” AC/DC

“Smokin,” Boston

“Smooth Criminal,” Alien Ant Farm

“Some Heads Are Gonna Roll,” Judas Priest

“Speed Kills,” Bush

“Spirit in the Sky,” Norman Greenbaum

“St. Elmo's Fire,” John Parr

“Stairway to Heaven,” Led Zeppelin

“Suicide Solution,” Black Sabbath

“Sunday Bloody Sunday,” U2

“Sure Shot Beastie Boys “

“Sweating Bullets,” Megadeth

“That'll Be the Day,” Buddy Holly and the Crickets

“The Boy from New York City,” Ad Libs

“The End,” The Doors

“The Night Chicago Died,” Paper Lace

“Them Bone,” Alice in Chains

“Ticket To Ride,” The Beatles

“TNT,” AC/DC

“Travelin' Band,” Creedence Clearwater Revival

“Travelin' Man,” Rickey Nelson

“Tuesday's Gone,” Lynyrd Skynyrd

“Under the Bridge,” Red Hot Chili Peppers

“Walk Like an Egyptian,” Bangles

“War Pigs,” Black Sabbath

“War,” Edwin Starr/Bruce Springstein

“We Gotta Get Out of This Place,” Animals

“What A Wonderful World,” Louis Armstrong

“When Will I See You Again,” Three Degrees

“When You're Falling,” Peter Gabriel

“Wipeout,” Surfaris

“Wonder World,” San CookeHerman Hermits,

“Worst That Could Happen,” Brooklyn Bridge

“You Dropped a Bomb On Me,” The Gap Band

All Rage Against The Machine songs
[10] “The Reactions Keep Coming” (2001, September 14). Hits Daily. Internet: Link
[11] Truitt, Eliza (2001, September 17). “It’s the End of the World as Clear Channel Knows It.”
Slate.com. Internet: Link
[12] Full text of Clear Channel Press Statement:
CLEAR CHANNEL SAYS NATIONAL “BANNED PLAYLIST”
DOES NOT EXIST
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
San Antonio, TX, September 18, 2001...Clear Channel Communications, Inc. (NYSE: CCU)
today issued the following statement as a result of numerous stories, emails and calls concerning
an alleged “list of banned songs” on its U.S. radio stations following last week’s tragedy in New
York, Washington and Pennsylvania:
“Clear Channel Radio has not banned any songs from any of its radio stations.
Clear Channel believes that radio is a local medium. It is up to every radio station program
director and general manager to understand their market, listen to their listeners and guide their
station’s music selections according to local sensitivities. Each program director and general
manager must take the pulse of his or her market to determine if play lists should be altered, and
if so, for how long.
‘In the wake of this terrible tragedy, the nation’s business community is responding with a
degree of hypersensitivity,” explained Mark P. Mays, President and Chief Operating Officer of
Clear Channel. “Even some movie companies have altered some of their release schedules in
light of the mood in America today. Clear Channel strongly believes in the First Amendment
and freedom of speech. We value and support the artist community. And we support our radio
station programming staff and management team in their responsibility to respond to their local
markets.’”
[13] Sullivan, James (2001, September 18). “Radio employee circulates don’t-play list” San Francisco Chronicle.
Internet: Link
Armstrong, Mark (2001, September 18). “’Imagine’ All the Inappropriate Songs.” E Online. Internet: Link
Ahrens, Frank (2001, September 18). “After Heroics, Russian Reporter Stricken.” Washington Post. Internet: Link
King, Brad (2001, September 18). “Radio Sings Self-Censorship Tune.” Wired.com. Internet: Link
Wolk, Douglas (September 26). “And the Banned Play On.” The Village Voice. Internet: Link
[14] Strauss, Neil (2001, September 19). “After the Horror, Radio Stations Pull Some Songs.” The New York Times.
Internet: Link
[15] Ibid.
http://www.ericnuzum.com/banned/index.html