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”

  2. sakuraudine

    red classic converse nike stefan janoski air max blu wei脽 nike air max kinder all black texas rangers hat adidas mundial team astro blanc noir nike free schwarz dam盲nner 5.0

  5. camisetas y gorras de b茅isbol souvineers

    camiseta de futbol espana barata 2019 camisetas de futbol baratas entenis vans mujer dorados turquesa mexico tiendas vans outleta qu茅 huele zarapoltrona de amamenta莽茫o com tachas quarto de menina figueiredo fischer 125474

  9. score big savings onex womens sail sandal

    adidas men ultra boost red solar red power red core blackthis weeks hottest new sneaker releases plus our top kicks pick ofhow ig is styling acronyms colorful nike presto mid collabneon athletic shoes clipart 1

  12. outlet girls on film cobalt coat

    slide view 1 daloa birkenstock sandaltommy hilfiger mens bedford shoes casual lace up blue size 8 free ship ebaynike revolution 4 gs girls running shoesfitflop womens flora flip flop devon blue 6 m us 11street malaysia sandals flip flops

  13. affordable handbags

    cal莽茫o adidas rapid vienna goleiro 2017 futfanaticscamiseta liverpool reebok 1996 away carlsberg vintage camisa 50 52 xxxlpersonaliza莽茫o camisa nome undefinedloading zoomcamisa flamengo feminina brasil retro braziline 21362 1

  18. jimmy choo esme mesh pumps

    havaianas not crocs salt water sandals pediped nike adidas converse stride rite mothercareall black vans size 7 womans for sale in powdersvilleadidas harden vol. 1 scarlet footwear white energynike hypervenom phatal iii dd fg yellow football shoes

  21. tiger corporation

    alla moda asos jola scarpe estive in pelle con laccetti alla gamba blu fiordalisoigi co scarpe donna azzurro rocal猫confrontare on line prezzo ermenegildo zegnaduvetica donna cappotti e giubbotti piumino viola scuro poliammide piumini duvetica shop bell…

  22. popular hair cutting machine amazon 2019

    ruiyee ev ayakkabè°‹ bayanlar 2018 ilkbahar ve yaz yeni rahat yay terlik moda ayakkabè°‹lart眉rkiye spor ayakkabè°‹ nike durant 8 kd y眉ksek top basketbol ayakkabè°‹larè°‹ erkekler lacivert beyazlacoste erkek siyah c眉zdan lacosteadidas superstar kadè°‹n bordo spor a…

  23. nike air max 90 vt hombres china rojo

    coach zip in monogram large coffee wallets nike kobe maschiotality blu hommes nike air force 1 olympic rouge noir bleu the north face summit l6 down jacket mens fashion nike tiempo legend orange and blue nike cortez femmes jaune vert

  24. homesbyted

    north face plum jacket nike air max 2017 royal blau nike air max bw blæ°“ air max 90 noir and gris colorado avalanche adidas nhl clipper adjustable cap air max thea blanc nike

  25. 瀹屽２ iphonese 5s 5 銉曘偂銉?閺′粯銇嶆墜甯冲瀷銈便兗銈?銉熴儵銉间粯銇?銇点倧銇点倧銈傘亾銈傘亾 iphone5s

    杌介噺銇儭銉炽偤銈点兂銈般儵銈广仾銈夈儠銈°儍銈枫儳銉炽伀棣存煋銈€銈兗銈儶銉笺亴銇娿仚銇欍倎adidas adidas 銉戙兗銈兗 銉嬨儍銉?銈般儸銉笺伄閫氳博 by free bloomamazon.co.jp 銉嗐偆銈搞兂 鍚告按 銉樸偄銈裤兗銉愩兂 銉熴偗銉償銉ャ偄 銉斻兂銈?/a>norris 銉併儯銉冦偒銉栥兗銉?銉°兂銈?5.5cm boj1131 鍙ょ潃灞媕am 涓彜

  26. rip ey set de figuras shopkins pack de compras

    ké…¶b smoking bukser til 219day birger et mikkelsen uld té…¶rklå¿™de str. stort langt mé…¶rkeblæ°“must have modeté…¶j til moderne kvinder over 50ké…¶b molo sommerjakker til piger online fashiola.dk sammenlign ké…¶b

  27. nike boys 2 piece sweatsuit pants set

    iwc spitfire chronograph 43mm ref iw387804buy watches online in uk ireland with free shipping youtubethe new female omega skin. vector illustrated by thesalvarefossil mens chronograph nate smoke tone stainless steel bracelet watch 50mm jr1437

  31. ceinture brice ceinture brice 2

    sapato social la faire parisi j56 preto marca la faireoculos de grau feminino estilo gatinhaoculos de sol feminino na moda è´¸culos no mercado livre brasilè´¸culos de grau ray ban 5658 54

  32. dallas cowboys thanksgiving jersey 2015

    græ°“ herre adidas ultra boost blazer mid prm medium grau sail air jordan 1 black blue white nike magistax proximo ii ic sort hvid brun nike kvinner air max 1 cmft prm tape gré…¶nn nike mercurial superfly ic indoor high tops rosso blu

  33. cardiachits

    nike shox current gelb silber nike air max tn plus wei脽 kvinners nike roshe run high svart gul nike zoom structure 18 rosso grigio nike hyperdunk bleu gris prada laptop bag price

  34. ugg nightfall boots

    nike air max grey red white nike air max 90 red retro boston red sox knit hat unisex nike roshe two green white lunarglide 6 flyknit shoes adidas ultra boost atr mid primeknit zero

  35. nike air force 1 winter premium gs flax 943312 200

    nike x parra woven warm up tracksuit jacket and pants set whitereebok dmx lite womens reebok sneakernike air max 97 lx edition full palm cushion running shoes 972508 002 120.00 welcome to the tide shoe sales shop384.99 air jordan 4 retro royalty sz

  36. buy vans old skool from next finland

    121147 babolat pulsion 102 strung tennis raquetteslacoste kad谋n ayakkab谋 boyner my style pinterestayakkab谋 枚nerisi yap谋cak inci s枚zl眉kyh kad谋n ko艧u ayakkab谋lar谋 unisex a莽谋k 莽ift i莽in y眉ksekli臒i artan spor ayakkab谋 hafif atletizm ayakkab谋 ko艧u

  37. rollaname

    coach madison yellow adidas zx 750 nero blu bianca femminile nike free run 5 nero ohio state buckeyes top of the world ncaa diamonds snapback cap nike air max 90 femmes blanc rose cool gris obsidian nike air force 1 low blanc prix

  38. adidas classic backpack bags accessories workout

    miss lulu wholesale retail women shoulder bag fashion messenger bag brand shoulder bags black navy bluenew 23 camouflage designer duffle bag luxury brands mens womens designer bags black large capacity sport gym bags large handbags black leather handba…

  44. 銈姐儍銈偣 nike 銉娿偆銈?3p 銈炽儍銉堛兂 銈儍銈枫儳銉?銉庛兗銈枫儳銈?銈姐儍銈偣 銉偆銈广儊銉ｃ兗 銉炪儘銈搞儭銉炽儓 銉°兂銈?銉儑銈ｃ兗銈?3瓒崇祫

    nike nike 銉欍儹銈偣銉嬨兗銈兗銇€氳博 by 銇?銇?銇?銇?銇?銇?銇?銇?銇?銇?/a>搴楄垪銇紦銉曘儹銈㈡鎴愩仹銆侊紤闅庛仺2闅庛伅銉┿兂銉嬨兂銈般倰涓績銇ㄣ仐銇熴儜銉曘偐銉笺優銉炽偣鍟嗗搧銆?闅庛伅銈儑銈ｃ儉銈广偑銉偢銉娿儷銈广倰鎵便亞銆傘偑銉笺儣銉虫檪銇睍闁嬪晢鍝佹暟銇儠銉冦儓銈︺偋銈?68銆?/a>amazon.co.jpé”›?shc 杌娿偟銉炽儛銈ゃ偠銉煎弾绱嶃儧銉儉銉笺€佷笁闈仹锛擄紣鏋氥伄cd dvdkeen kid s 銈兗銉?銈儍銈?銇?ch…

  46. daisy chain beanie hat grey size xl beanie hats

    tell me everything hat urban hunter fisher farmer redneck hats by talented fashion and graphiclyst ebbets field flannels custom basic wool snapback cap in black for menresistol jason aldean asphalt cowboy palm cowboy hat47 florida state clean up baseba…

Comments are closed.