The Idol of his Youth

Andre, , , , ,

Edgard Varese-Complete Works of, vol 1The image to the right depicts the cover of the Complete Works of Edgard Varèse, Volume 1. According to Zappa, this was the first record he ever owned. (And one that changed everything for him!)

The story of how he came to discover the record was well-rehearsed. The following quotation is drawn from an article he wrote for  Stereo Review:

I was about thirteen when I read an article in Look about Sam Goody’s Record Store in New York. My memory is not too clear on the details, but I recall it was praising the store’s exceptional record merchandising ability. One example of brilliant salesmanship described how, through some mysterious trickery, the store actually managed to sell an album called “Ionization” (the real name of the album was “The Complete Works of Edgard Varèse, Volume One”). The article described the record as a weird jumble of drums and other unpleasant sounds. I dashed off to my local record store and asked for it. Nobody ever heard of it. I told the guy in the store what it was like. He turned away, repulsed, and mumbled solemnly, “I probably wouldn’t stock it anyway … nobody here in San Diego would buy it.” I didn’t give up. I was so hot to get that record I couldn’t even believe it. [1]

A number of other sources provide a similar account. Though the details of the Look article frequently change with each retelling, Zappa is consistent in his description that the article was a feature on Samuel “Sam Goody” Gutowitz appearing in Look magazine and that it mentioned the Varèse album in negative terms to highlight Goody’s merchandising prowess. Consider the following quotation from a 1971 interview for Rock Magazine:

The thing that led me to Varèse’s music was an article in Look Magazine saying how great Sam Goody’s record store was. Sam Goody sells records so well that he can even sell a record called Ionizations – they even called the album wrong – it was The Complete Works of Edgar Varèse, Volume I. And they were telling how ugly this record sounded. It was just drums and sirens and nobody would want to own this record and Sam Goody was actually selling it [2]

Or Zappa’s response from an 1981 interview in Down Beat:

How did you first find out about Edgar Varèse?

That’s a very simple story. I read an article in Look magazine in the early ’50s which was a feature saying what a great guy Sam Goody was because he was such an exciting merchandiser and he could sell anything, he could sell any kind of record. And to give an example of what a great merchandiser he was, it said that he was even able to sell an album called “Ionisation” which had a bunch of drums banging, and it described the album in very negative terms. When I read that, I thought it sounded exactly like the kind of album that I wanted to hear because I had been playing drums since I was 12. So I went looking for the album and I finally found it after a couple of months’ search, and I took it home, put it on, and I loved it as soon as I heard it. [3]

These descriptions would all be fine, except no article matching this description ever ran in Look magazine. Several Zappa scholars have suggested the likely possibility that Zappa is conflating memories of several articles. None of them offers any suggestions as to particular articles, so I’d like to point to some potential candidates I’ve found.

Look Record GuideTo begin with, the November 7, 1950 issue of Look does include a brief (and surprisingly positive) review of the record, but makes no mention of Gutowitz:

The good-things-from-obscure-places department has come up with the following finds. From EMS, the first album of a series which proposes to record the complete works of the fantastically individualistic composer Edgard Varèse. Density 21.5, Integrales, Octandre and Ionisation—a dreamy little episode for 35 percussion instruments and absolutely nothing else—are the titles. Varèse is unlike anything else in music, and well worth knowing. The recording is excellent… [4]

Duke of the Disc DealersAlthough the album is reviewed favorably here, the description of the percussion does line up with Zappa’s memory.

Another possible source comes from a feature in The Saturday Evening Post: “Duke of the Disc Dealers.” (The image to the right links to a PDF of the article.)

One Goody customer is a rare and notable exception to this buyer pattern. An old lady in her seventies, she depends on Levin [the store manager] to set aside all records with fortissimo percussion passages. ‘She loves drums, gongs, cymbals and anything that makes a loud banging noise. She has excellent hearing and is not interested in volume, as such. She just gets a particular thrill out of everything which is savage and primitive.’ [5]

This article, however, makes no mention of Varèse

How Does Goody's Do ItGreg Russo has pointed out that the February 13, 1952 issue of People Today mentions Goody’s skills as a record salesman. [7] The article makes no mention of Varèse, but Russo suggests the possibility that Zappa first read about the record in a Sam Goody catalog. Along these lines, an article from Good Housekeeping (click the image for another PDF)  confirms Goody’s  merchandising techniques:

Goody believes in aggressive advertising. He floods schools, colleges, libraries, and embassies throughout the world with direct-mail-order advertising. [6]

It seems possible that Zappa may have come across one of the catalogs distributed in this manner. (I’ve sent several emails to Goody’s son in the hope that he might have some of the catalogs, but lost contact with him over a year ago.)

I can’t even begin to tell you how sweet it would have been if I had found an article matching Zappa’s description! (Even if it wasn’t in Look magazine.) Unfortunately, it seems that for now at least the mystery remains.

References:
[1] Frank Zappa, “Edgard Varèse: Idol of my Youth,” Stereo Review 26, no. 6 (June 1971): 62. (Text here.)
[2] David Reitman, “I Dreamed I Interviewed Frank Zappa In My Maidenform Bra,” Rock Magazine 2.13 (January 25, 1971): 31. (Text here.)
[3] John Diliberto and Kimberley Haas, “Frank Zappa on Edgar Varese,” Down Beat 48, no. 11 (November 1981): 22. (Text here.)
[4] Joseph Roddy, “Look Record Guide,” Look Magazine 14 (November 7, 1950): 111.
[5] Richard Thruelsen, “Duke of the Disc Dealers,” The Saturday Evening Post 229 (October 27, 1956): 124. (PDF here.)
[6] “How Does Goody’s Do It?,” Good Housekeeping 143 (September 1956): 56. (PDF here.)
[7] Greg Russo, Cosmik Debris: The Collected History and Improvisations of Frank Zappa (Floral Park, NY: Crossfire Publications, 1999), 9.
The Idol of his Youth

46,641 thoughts on “The Idol of his Youth”

  1. adidas originals handball spezial

    latest asics gel lyte v skyway skyway men and women the same styleasics gel gt2170 igs ladies size 6.5 multi colorasics tiger gel lyte iii sneaker brown f0505hot sale online asics gel lyte iii suede shoes for women sky way blue

  2. mikey j and the uk female allstars adot baby blue lioness roxxxan mz bratt lady leshurr music videos stats and photos last.fm

    free 12 months warranty cover this ford transit 350 lwb 9 seater crew van x mod 1 owner f s h very low miles at only 37000 fromlarger image brand price cuts vans womens shoes old skool trainers blossom blanc de blanc decorative seamsphoto of bobby vans…

  5. servicioswom

    ray ban polarized new wayfarer sunglasses mulberry darwin shoulder bag nike air max 90 carved blue white parajumpers blazer bay st burberry leopard scarf most popular hermes scarf

  6. joegauntlett

    air max thea coral silver nike zoom ascention mens white grey hawaii hurley hat air jordan 11 gold jumpman instrumental jordan 11 low hvit sé…¶lv nike ash womens brett maher name number logo slim fit nfl 2 dallas cowboys long sleeve t shirt

  7. scopatore

    coach 1941 saddle bag burnished glovetanned leather crossbody olive green purse ebay air jordan b mo nero gituttio air jordan imminent rose hommesthe verte north face jacket osito zip front fleece asics onitsuka tiger mexico 66 grau schwarz hommes asic…

  8. designer bow bw012

    fringed faux sued moccasins for babyhow to dress cool in dad shoes dad outfit challengenew infant toddler boys nike dual fusion litespecial kids footwear vans infant old skool mono trainer nautical blue

  10. one8 x puma men red cricket shoes

    seeandwear tan colour brogue shoes for mengenuine leather branded formal shoespuma roma suede paisley mens sneakers nopuma future cat puma storepuma womens phenom satin lo en pointe trainingneue version adidas porsche bounce s4 schuhe braun schwarz ver…

  11. vans shop riot finals 2014

    womens mellow walk jessica steel toe slip on shoe 482072 steel toe shoescomasics outlet asics gel lyte iii santa christmas pack fiery red ronnie fieg kith 2013 sz 11asics gel kayano 24 size 10 wide women new no boxasics outlet asics gel lyte iii santa…

  13. ferrari scuderia cologne

    puma procat high level competition soccer ball black yellownike dual fusion leather mens running shoes grey black violet nike air max nike roshe black factory outletnike tw14 mesh golf shoepuma basket heart ps in prism pink patent kids sneakers

  14. nike kobe 9 femminile blu viola

    kvinders nike roshe run slip lyseré…¶d ré…¶d nike lunar charge triple svart pre order adidas neo campus red orange nike sb dunk high pro neutral græ°“ nike lebron 12 svart himmelen blæ°“ mennns asics asics gel kayano 17 sé…¶lv græ°“

  15. vapor x500 goaliemonkey

    desert storm veteran medal capadidas soccer shoes lionel messivintage reebok cap in good used conditionno fit pics no depopweird colorado avalanche old hockey quot nhl grilled flex hat quot time navy gray

  16. to the converse century

    converse chuck taylor all star ii futura camo 153022cconverse all star chuck tylor street hi shoes for men new1ljo madcandies mens sneakers custom handpainted elementary rainbow sneakers personalized shoes rainbow tie dye conversethe shoes were soon wo…

  22. northsidecarservice

    free run 5.0 græ°“ rosa eye mennns nike roshe run high rosa græ°“ air jordan retro 18 viola arancia adidas yeezy boost 350 enfants bleu ciel nike air max 2016 lilla cow asics asics gel kinsei 2 rojo amarillo

  23. aikenfamilypharmacy

    asics gel noosa tri 8 mujeres trainers zapatos kyrie 2 alle hvid skin air jordan reveal argento rosso yeezy 350 boost v2 brojo switch adidas yeezy boost 750 og light brun noise air jordan 17 svart for salg georgia

  24. tjharkins

    hermes dress belt mackage bag man article nike roshe run giallo fluo papagiannis giorgios 13 jersey harrison barnes dallas jersey nike kd vii 7 black green

  25. women clothing reebok elements winter pack quilted crew sweatshirt womens black hoodies sweatshirts y57n6116 reebok u form reebok

    true religion hoodies sweats womens embellished bf hoodiezip up long sleeve color block raglan long sleeve hoodiesupra greco shoes blue suedegiant panda panda pandas giant panda womens organic hoodie by stanley amp

  27. wvusigmakappa

    air max 90 flowers brown barato asics gel kinsei 4 hombres blanco nike lunarglide 7 yorum jordan 6 columbia infrared 2000 gavin escobar 89 jersey day nike air max bw womens pink black

  30. saucony hurricane iso 2 december 2018 runrepeat

    koszula puma ferrari f1 rozmiarm odzie sportowa krakè´¸w sprzedampuma uk 11 2016 monolite 2.0 golf shoes white navypuma roma slim stacked womens 9 limestone gray virtual pink sneaker ebaypuma roma slim stacked womens 9 limestone gray virtual pink sneaker…

  32. saucony xodus iso

    la plupart air max et tn air max lebronnike wmns blazer mid suede vintage hyper pink sail deep1998 nike bball back when that were brand new were hothansen mens elevation shell 2.0

  33. loanswithcash

    air jordan future low review jimmy choo haze boots nike lunarglide 7 black red elite will fuller jersey houston texans 15 home navy blue limited kenny vaccaro jersey new orleans saints 32 new be luvd pink elite ted larsen jersey arizona cardinals 62 al…

  34. fixlupusnow

    adidas stan smith blau pharrell herren nike internationalist gr眉n gelb ua clutchfit prodigy oro rosa ralph lauren vest r酶d lyser酶d kvinners nike free run 3.0 v6 gr酶nn lilla kobe 10 basketballe schuhe

  35. kainjipark

    nike jr sweezy jersey 64 nfl seattle seahawks t shirt backer ash nike kd sneakers nike sb blazer low womens red yellow nike acg water shoes black nike air max 2017 kvinders lilla gré…¶n 9 elite phil dawson san francisco 49ers youth jersey home red

  37. diamandis forest green twist front jumpsuit

    mejane kids girls little trench coat khakikid children black lycra spandex dancewear zentai costume leotard unitard no hood hands in zentai from novelty special use on aliexpress alibabaunder armour boys winter jacketfleece lined shell rain suit baby

  39. this short feathered wig is one of our customer favouritesruffle through with the fingers for a striking spiky look or smooth down for a sleekpixie look

    expert opticians on staff source specs frames to suit different face shapes of men women lenskart oval face source lenskart 3d tryget soft healthy indian straight hair todayyou deserve the best ps if above 5 bundles hair please contact us for wholesale…

  40. yesbobdylan

    nike mercurial superfly ic noir menn ralph lauren polo logo baseball cap unisex nike roshe two bl氓 orange ralph lauren tracksuit rouge orange air jordan 4 retro oreo yelp adidas zx flux schwarz elem盲nnerts pack

  43. drinkableair

    jordan number 11 hvid adidas nitrocharge football rosa lilla air max 90 basketsboot on feet nike lebron xiii gré…¶nn nike zoom hyperrev 2015 bleu lagoon resort boys gradeschool nike lebron xi basketbtutti scarpa

  45. chaussures derby next brillantes homme en

    chaussures de football enfant adidas ace 17.4 tf enfant noir blanc bleuslim fit shirtnew nude illusion black lace midi off shoulder evening coctail party dress unbranded mididress cocktailnew nude illusion black lace midi off shoulder evening coctail p…

  46. coach black smoke flats 12345

    soft navy navy jacket schott coach back logo inbeautiful womens guess black black stilettos pivia stilettoslyst dolce gabbana pumps high heels for women in metallicgiuseppe zanotti design denim the shark 5.0 low sneakers men shoes trainers giuseppe zan…

  47. michsmallbiz

    hermes kelly caleche gift set fendi belt size 40 coach wedge shoes on sale adidas porsche design dubai links of london necklaces sale 12cheap links of london charmshottest new styles armani jeans reversible belt

Comments are closed.