33 Years Ago: Dee Snider Single-Handedly Humiliated Congress For The Whole World To See

[ABX]

Because we are now seemingly about to face the same thing over video games.....
Probably one of the greatest moments in Congressional testimony history...

In 1985, Dee Snider was invited to speak on behalf of those who opposed the actions of the PMRC. Dee Snider, as you’d expect, showed up as underdressed and unprofessional as he possibly could leading everyone to believe that he’ll just fall flat on his ass, but what he did next shocked EVERYONE!....


http://societyofrock.com/in-1985-dee-snider-testified-in-front-of-congress-and-stunned-everyone-in-the-building/

[dfwgator]

Remember that Tipper Gore headed the PMRC.

[Frank Cannon]

I forgot about that. Dee handed them their asses. He's a class act.

[ABX]

Remember that Tipper Gore headed the PMRC.

Yep, and Snyder called her out for having a dirty mind. Algore turned beet red. A tiny snip of it is in the video at the link.

[dfwgator]

I forgot about that. Dee handed them their asses. He's a class act.

! No longer available
Zappa on Crossfire.  John Lofton was a real piece of work.

[ABX]

! No longer available
Zappa on Crossfire.  John Lofton was a real piece of work.

Lol...good flashback. Zappa really had them sweating.

[Frank Cannon]

! No longer available
Zappa on Crossfire.  John Lofton was a real piece of work.

I am positive that the reason that whole censorship movement fell on it's ass is because the musicians being attacked ended up being thoughtful and reasoned and didn't lay down and take it. The rockers looked like dirtbags but were educated. I don't think today's musicians are of that caliber anymore.

[dfwgator]

I am positive that the reason that whole censorship movement fell on it's ass is because the musicians being attacked ended up being thoughtful and reasoned and didn't lay down and take it. The rockers looked like dirtbags but were educated. I don't think today's musicians are of that caliber anymore.

I must say, Zappa looked pretty sharp in that suit.  Hard to believe it was even the same guy from The Mothers of Invention.

[ABX]

I am positive that the reason that whole censorship movement fell on it's ass is because the musicians being attacked ended up being thoughtful and reasoned and didn't lay down and take it. The rockers looked like dirtbags but were educated. I don't think today's musicians are of that caliber anymore.

I think it also shocked just as many that Zappa, Snyder, and others were Conservative (Libertarian by today's standard) not hippie Liberals.

[catfish1957]

I must say, Zappa looked pretty sharp in that suit.  Hard to believe it was even the same guy from The Mothers of Invention.

I understand Zappa was MENSA material, and very well spoken.  Though he, had a Liberal/Libertarian slant, he was not a good candidate to debate with. 

[EasyAce]

Ancient television talk host (I think it was Joe Pyne) to Frank Zappa: You have long hair, should I call you a girl?
Frank Zappa: You have a wooden leg. Should I call you a table?

[EasyAce]

I understand Zappa was MENSA material, and very well spoken.  Though he, had a Liberal/Libertarian slant, he was not a good candidate to debate with.

Zappa was mostly a libertarian

He was also, mostly, a musical bore after he broke up the original Mothers of Invention. He did a few interesting things in the years
that followed, but I don't think he ever equaled what he did with the original Mothers of 1965-69.

The Mothers of Invention, Freak Out!

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The Mothers of Invention, Absolutely Free

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The Mothers of Invention, We're Only In It for the Money

! No longer available

The Mothers of Invention, Burnt Weeny Sandwich

! No longer available

The Mothers of Invention, Weasels Ripped My Flesh

! No longer available

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

I seem to recall that Zappa was really off putting and obnoxious and it was actually John Denver who made the best arguments against censorship.