The Idol of his Youth

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. koszula pepe jeans

    koszulka 4f fitness 20s czarnabluzka messi d艂ugi r臋kaw 116 polska ceny i opiniet shirt public enemy hooligan holidayplecak rowerowy na rower h20 sklep sportowy

  2. print satin slip dress

    high waisted g stringnew pink large bra bralette panties thong set victoria secret2019 mens briefs with pouch mens sexy briefs modal elephant nose pants gay underwear men briefs sheath fromnew victorias secret pink lace trim boyshorts xs

  3. yes naszyjnik rosa ceny i opinie

    臧€鞚勳樂靽柬晳 soup 鞗愴敿鞀?甑瀰 霌濏厹 雱れ澊氩?敫旊攴?/a>ec union3 barba 氚旊ゴ氚旐樃毽〈韮€毳挫勾霛?鞓?氍措姮 旖旐娂 靺旍笭 敫岆灉霌?項?/a>鞁滊皵瓴?歆€韻?旃措摐歆€臧?頃戫伂 氚橃臧?臧€欤届臧?鞐瀽 雮瀽 氙鸽媹歆€臧?旃措摐頇€雿?歆€臧?氇呿暔 頃欖儩鞎茧韱犽旃?瓴诫焿 霌膘偘 氚橂皵歆€

  4. 兀丨丿孬 丕賱兀胤賮丕賱 丕賱卮 賵賷丞 乇賰賷丕 亘丕賱噩賲賱丞 丕賱賴賳丿賷 賲賱丕亘爻 賱賱兀胤賮丕賱 丕賱賮 賷丕

    mens barbour fleece lined trapper waxed hat blackwe will introduce the ops core fast le gentex corporationreal gosha rubchinskiy black adidas beanie in black for men lystyeezy season 1 collection has hit sale racks

  5. abiye uzun hi莽 pretty seksi bacak yar谋k d眉z dantel see through v yaka resmi parti abiye 2019 abendkleider

    women lady shiny panties metallic patent leather back zipper booty shorts brief style bottoms for dancing performance costumespanx undie tectable thong shapewear women clothing lingerie nightwear peachyvictorias secret everyday perfect bikini and simil…

  6. this is a product shot of ted baker floral strap watch

    kvalitn茅 d谩mske gum谩ky 3 farby farba 膷iernapr铆padne chcete pote拧i钮 svoje deti alebo s煤rodencov a vyrobi钮 im nie膷o kreat铆vne m么啪ete sa na tom dokonca aj spolo膷nezimn谩 obuv northland hc leather ls bootgoods 2241 letn铆 sada

  7. hilfiger denim uomo eleganti pantaloni sportivi blu

    膷ern茅 kotn铆膷kov茅 boty s ko啪铆拧kem adidaszimn铆 bundy xxxl拧ed茅 st艡铆brn茅 p谩nsk茅 bombery zbo啪铆dlouh茅 sexy 膷erven茅 spole膷ensk茅 拧aty na m铆ru hollywood style e shop plesov茅 a svatebn铆 拧aty

  8. 銉€銉冦儠銉?銈炽兗銉?銉曘儸銈偣銉兗銉?瀛愪緵鏈?濂炽伄瀛?绉嬪啲 銉曘偂銉冦偡銉с兂 銉€銉冦儠銉偝銉笺儓 鍙剾銇?銉堛儍銉椼偣 瀛愪緵 銈偊銈裤兗 闀疯

    涓浗绶戦粍鐧介潚銈偣銈裤儬銈淬儷銉曘儩銉?t銈枫儯銉勩偟銉椼儵銈ゃ儰銉煎コ鎬с儠銈°儍銈枫儳銉炽儑銈躲偆銉冲銇コ鎬?/a>銈枫兗銈广儷銉笺儓銉冦儣銈?銉曘儶銉?銉儑銈c兗銈?銉堛儍銉椼偣 銉欍儷銉欍儍銉?銉欍儹銈?銈儠銈枫儳銉儉銉?闀疯 榛?鐧?鍏?鑹?2018 绉?鍐?鏂颁綔new balance 銉嬨儱銉笺儛銉┿兂銈?new balance 銉°兂銈?涓犊銈搞儯銈便儍銉?m padded jacket jmjp7925 銉儑銈c兗銈广儠銈°儍銈枫儳銉抽€氳博 銉偝銉炽儔銈…

  9. buty damskie nieprzemakalne

    21 secrets of the libra personality zodiac leo pisces taurus aquariusthe tereza one piece swimsuit navyyff white heel height 8.5cm satin comfortable latin dance shoesmedium sized crystal silver hair comb

  10. i think my husband is 50 crazy

    robe moulante midi pr猫s du corps 脿 d茅collet茅 plongeantarchzine fr on twitter on a trouv茅 des robes styl茅es pas ch猫resrobe noire bimati猫re coupe droite angie maison cent vingt troisrobe noir chic femme ronde

  11. jaki strè´¸j do pracy w

    hoe pas je de plaatsing van facebook advertenties aan social mastersesprit sleehakken wedge schoenen kopenfantasie ottawa twist black badpak met beugelsale nederland bolderkar met zand speelgoed delig

  12. 泻褍锌懈褌褜 泻械褉邪屑懈褔械褋泻褍褞 锌谢懈褌泻褍 泻邪褎械谢褜 写薪械锌褉 写薪械锌褉芯锌械褌褉芯胁褋泻 2

    teeki white snake opal cream thread hot yoga pants atadidas sportswear adidas trefoil leggings womens originals adidasfor g and pl women football team fitness soccer sport leggings amazon.co.uk clothingdesigual 2000 black womans leggings

  13. hooded t shirt mens kappa usa

    una mala pasada del vestido descubre a selena g贸mez sin ropapantalones cortos de nataci贸n para mujer firpearl sport bpor qu茅 adriana lima dice que descarta volver a desfilar sin ropablusa boho blanca

  14. oculos gucci gg 56 20 145

    where to buy air jordan 9 retro all black10 putting tips from the worlds best nomichael jordan play for buy tops tees online at best pricesjordan diamond cement jacket blanc noir gym rouge noir bei

  15. tan wren brogue boots

    lightweight bomber jacket with stormwearit is grr jacket men gap dis windbreaker sports nylon jacket bomber jacket classical music logo nike nike jacket playersmsquared msquared womens casual dresses pink pink belted v neck shirt dress women from zulil…

  16. 11 by boris black camo wash denim jacket

    irish dance black long sleeve leotard antonio pacellirosa floral kitten heel blush wedding shoessilk cheongsam dress canada shanghai story chinese qipao dress chinese phoenix print cheong samgroomsmen in classic black tuxedo style for generation tux

  17. firma comodo e sano z tradycjami od roku

    car shape baby portable play tent kids toy house huge tent for children indoor play ocean stress ball pooldesigner womens boots booties ridingonlineshoe peep toe mid heels high back strappy sandals silverwhat to wear to a spring summer wedding

  18. dillards dressy pant suits

    femme robes robes robe robe rose femme en maille fluide fermeture zipp茅e au dos courte estrobe blanche haut dentelle vetement fitness et modemuslim women vintage abaya cloak robes arab jilbab muslim ramadan robe islamic kaftan dubaihuaaniue soir茅e robe…

  19. adidas 2015 mens dark golf jacket climastorm essentials lightweight packable rain zip waterproof jackets coats

    official shopper present 50 off kate spade hybrid smart watch formula two yearsiphone 6s cases iphone 6s cases covers online atil giglio small cross body bagsmall round glasses men womens sun glasses metal frame eyewear vintage female male optics eyegl…

  20. nike phantomx indoor soccer shoes

    chinese new year 2019 where to buy cheongsams and mandarin collarswedding dress 8 months pregnantexpecting mother t shirts cafepressbest quality floral lightweight breastfeeding top maternity clothes nursing sweater shirt

  21. 诪讚 讟诪驻专讟讜专讛 讚讬讙讬讟诇讬 讻讜诇诇 诪讚 诇讞讜转 讜砖注讜谉 鈧?9

    pantalones de pierna ancha para mujer sueltos gran tama帽o estampado leopardo alta cintura vendaje elegante a la moda calidadsenderismo fedme calzado de monta帽a para hacer senderismosudaderas clè°©sicas con cremallera fruit of the loomcamisetas pepe jeans…

  22. open back cover up maxi victorias secret

    were the buy sell app for cute clothes. say to being bored of your clothes. home victorias secret black and white bikini topvictorias secret victorias secret pink nap a holic night shirt sleep shirtnew victorias secret pink yoga flat leggings cotton cr…

Comments are closed.