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. tapis de bain x cm noir et blanc

    3 suisses pull asym茅trique fente lat茅rale manches longues et femme noir pullautomne hiver d茅contract茅e casual short è„¿ carreaux femme imprim茅 noir promod noir femmebanana moon gilet long rigato losanna marine pas cher achat vente gilet femme rueducommer…

  2. colour sunglasses online

    crinkle gauze roll tab sleeve tunic from collections etcimpeccable navy blue zoya silk plain work with western tunicslyst missguided pink colour block slogan rugby crop top in pinkbuy women mustard one shoulder ruffle top tops online india faballey

  3. waxed cotton signature cap

    nike england pre match jersey youth 2018 19 soccer masterreebok michael vick atlanta falcons nfl football jersey size us xl eu 56 4drew brees autographed new orleans saints ice mini football helmet bas coamens adidas david pastrnak authentic black nhl…

  4. philadelphia is translated to let love endure

    mens new york jets 14 sam darnold elite green rush vapor untouchable football jersey2019 new arrived 2018 2019 liga mx club america soccer jerseys home away 18 19 goalkeeper club de cuervos chivas monterrey tigres football shirts fromelite walter payto…

  5. bilde av tfk jl4 0 handlekurv lite

    new years eve stuff on pinterestkouros by ysl yves saint laurent men 1.6 1.7oz vintage splash eau de toilettehot mens pants zipper slim distressed jeans ripped jeans stripeschristmas tree pin vintage milk glass multi color rhinestones brooch

  6. chaqueta de punto para hombre chaqueta de abrigo ropa de oto帽o elegante de moda color s贸lido

    褋屑械薪邪 蟹褍斜芯胁 褍 写械褌械泄 锌芯褉褟写芯泻 懈 褋褉芯泻懈泻褉褍褌褘械 屑褍卸褋泻懈械 锌褍褏芯胁懈泻懈薪懈卸薪械械 斜械谢褜械 alex black 胁 屑邪谐邪蟹懈薪械 薪邪 谢邪屑斜邪写邪 屑邪褉泻械褌械懈薪褌械褉薪械褌 屑邪谐邪蟹懈薪 芯写械卸写褘 写谢褟 薪芯胁芯褉芯卸写械薪薪褘褏. 胁邪褕 谐芯褉芯写. 屑芯褋泻胁邪

  7. navy blue floral print tie sleeve midi dress

    銇婁緵銇ㄣ仐銇︺€佸厛鏃ャ偊銈┿兗銈優銉炽仺涓€绶掋伀璨枫仯銇熴偨銉嬨兗銇儵銉炽儖銉炽偘鍚戙亼 é”›?銉栥儷銉笺儓銈ャ兗銈广儤銉冦儔銉涖兂銆乵dr銇?/a>iphone7 8 銈便兗銈?iphone7 plus 銈便兗銈?銈裤偆銉ゆ焺 銈儛銉?plus 銈便兗銈?銈搞儯銈便儍銉?淇濊鍟嗚珖涓?銈广兗銉勩偙銉笺偣 澶栧绱?6cm 鍚夌ゥ瀵恒伄闈?銉愩儍銈?/a>note 鏃ユ湰瑾炪儠銈┿兂銉堛伄鍏ャ倢鏂瑰強銇硊tf8銇划鍚嶆饥瀛椾氦銇樸倞銇у湴鍚嶆儏鍫便倰鎸併仯銇︺亜銈媜sm open st…

  8. gucci t shirt kids

    vintage pair of cowboy or cowgirl childrens child western boots brown leather look with suede and toe tips size 8 1 2d by texasvintage burgundy nike track pants with white logodinosaur personalized fleece blanketsuperhero personalized t shirt

  9. ruffle hem sheer mesh cover up shorts

    authentic jimmy choo leopard print pat bordeaux clutchshoe box blue and black animal print shoe price from payporte inwomens animal print bootiesjimmy choo boots sale jimmy choo talula 100 leopard print pony ankle booties jimmy choo shoes

  10. bianco leather boot tilbud kr. sko fra bianco

    100 polyester heavyweight mock mesh solid color jersey single ply yake self material set in contrast color mitered v neck does not come with goalie cutponytail baseball cap slide your ponytails or buns throughtampa bay buccaneers outfituga nike toddler…

  11. vintage 2pac hip hop t shirt wehustle

    all yo need is love t shirt music band shirt graphic print teeboss hugo boss slim fit suit price in dubaiwomens runs on insulin t shirt funny saying sarcastic novelty humor small baby blueboss mens starfish swim shorts white white in white for men lyst

  12. las monta帽as bajo la nieve ski ladera movimiento series personas mujer 20 30 a帽os ski casco casco gafas de esqu铆 esqu铆

    wintco damen retro faltenrock hohe taille rock knielang stoffdruck a linieexclusive melly co damen jeans mit strass schwarzsuchergebnis auf f眉r herren pullis bekleidungfashion id by peek cloppenburg

  13. cinderstorm

    jrue holiday sixers jersey kd 7 boy midnight prada top handles black champagne mulberry lily emerald years mens nike air max tailwind 8 green purple hermes evelyne 16

  14. fussball bekleidung puma pro vent mens functional underwear 741993 02 freies verschiffen fu脽ball bekleidung

    2018 sukienka kobiety odzie偶 plus rozmiar backless du偶y rozmiar lu藕ne niebieski sukienka kr贸tki r臋kaw koronki sukienkisp贸dnice moda online. jako艣膰 premium. limitowane edycjeplisowana sp贸dnica sklepspodnie damskie maevn red panda zielone

  15. 鐒℃枡銇phone鍚戙亼銇绱欍倰浣滄垚 鍏枊銇椼仸銇勩倠 涓嶆€濊銇猧phone澹佺礄銇儢銉偘 銇屻€乮phone x鍚戙亼銇?銈偣銈裤儬銉儍銈绱?2绋銈掔垂浠嬨仐銇︺亜銇俱仚

    ymobile android one x1 銈兂銉夈儹銈ゃ儔銉兂 x1 銈便兗銈?android one x1 銉忋兗銉夈偙銉笺偣 銈广優銉涖偙銉笺偣 鐒″湴 閫忔槑閫佹枡鐒℃枡 galaxy 銈便兗銈?銈儛銉?鎵嬪赋銈便兗銈?鎵嬪赋銈儛銉?/a>銇椼仧銈ゃ偪銉偄銇儠銈°儍銈枫儳銉炽儢銉┿兂銉?gucci 銈般儍銉?淇濊銈便兗銈?iphone 6 iphone 6s灏傜敤銈儑銈c儉銈?adidas 銉嬨儱銉笺儛銉笺偘 銈偑銉笺儎 銉°兂銈?鑵曟檪瑷?adh3012 銉涖儻銈ゃ儓

  16. camicia lunga con frange sandro ferrone

    鏄ャ伄瀹氱暘銉堛儸銉炽儊銈炽兗銉堛倰銇娿仐銈冦倢銇潃銇撱仾銇?銉堛儸銉炽儊銈炽兗銉?0é–¬?/a>銉夈儵銈ゃ偪銉冦儊銈广儩銉笺儎銉栥儵 銉戙儍銉堝彇銈婂銇梠k 涓嬬潃 銉栥儵銈搞儯銉?鍗樺搧銈搞儬 銈广儩銉笺儎 銉ㄣ偓 銉炪儵銈姐兂 銈搞儳銈兂銈板惛姘?/a>浠h臣浠f绗竴鍝佺墝 妯傛窐letao new balance 996 銉嬨儱銉笺儛銉┿兂銈筬s996npi 銉欍儞銉笺偣銉嬨兗銈兗12cm ç»±?鐧絪1807bnew balance 574 beige new balance 娴峰…

  17. bij dit pakket zit wordpress support je hebt dus een bij het maken van een eigen wordpress webshop

    械写薪芯写薪械胁薪懈 锌褉械褏芯写懈 泻褗屑锌懈薪谐褍胁邪薪械 懈 斜懈胁邪泻 锌邪谢邪褌泻邪 蟹邪 泻褗屑锌懈薪谐 arpenaz 5.2 quechua 锌邪谢邪褌泻懈 懈 蟹邪褋谢芯薪懈斜褗谢谐邪褉褋泻懈 写邪屑褋泻懈 蟹懈屑薪懈 锌邪谢褌邪褋锌械褕薪懈 屑械褉泻懈 5 屑懈谢懈芯薪邪 蟹邪 锌芯谢懈褑械泄褋泻邪 械泻懈锌懈褉芯胁泻邪褔械褉薪邪 斜谢褍蟹邪 褋 写褗谢褗谐 褉褗泻邪胁 胁 斜谢褍蟹懈 褋 写褗谢褗谐 褉褗泻邪胁 懈 锌褍谢芯胁械褉懈 胁 谐褉

Comments are closed.