Parents Music Resource Center

The Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC) was an organization founded in 1985 which focused on vulgar content in rock and heavy metal music. It was founded by Tipper Gore, the wife of Al Gore, and members included the wives of many politicians. The PMRC claimed that rock music led to an increase in rape and suicide.

The PMRC's demands[edit]

The PMRC demanded that the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA):

• 1. Print lyrics on album covers.
• 2. Keep explicit covers under the counter.
• 3. Establish a ratings system for records similar to that for films.
• 4. Establish a ratings system for concerts.
• 5. Reassess the contracts of performers who engage in violence and explicit sexual behavior onstage.
• 6. Establish a citizen and record-company media watch that would pressure broadcasters not to air "questionable-talent."

This led to stores such as Wal-Mart and Sears censoring the music they carried.

The PMRC also had a list of 15 songs (the "Filthy 15") they considered the most objectionable; the songs included Prince's "Darling Nikki" (#1), Sheena Easton's "Sugar Walls" (#2, also written by Prince under the pseudonym "Alexander Nevermind") and Twisted Sister's "We're Not Gonna Take It" (#7; Snider testified in Congress against the organization).

The PMRC was also concerned with backmasking.^{[Citation Needed]}

Ultimately PMRC and the recording industry reached an agreement that albums featuring songs with explicit lyrics would carry a warning label.

Senate Hearing[edit]

On September 19, 1985, the Senate then held a hearing on "porn rock" with members of the PMRC. Frank Zappa, John Denver, and Dee Snider of Twisted Sister were present at the hearing, defending the rights of musicians.

Parental Advisory sticker[edit]

The RIAA then decided to put "Parental Advisory: Explicit Content" stickers on albums with explicit lyrics.

See also[edit]

• Censorship

Sources[edit]

• Transcript of Senate Hearing