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. fendi other auth. fendi bucket hat made in france

    bjakin 薪芯胁褘械 卸械薪褋泻懈械 褋褌懈谢褜薪褘械 泻褉芯褋褋芯胁泻懈 ins 6 褋屑 褍胁械谢懈褔械薪懈械 褋锌芯褉褌懈胁薪邪褟 写褘褕邪褖邪褟 芯斜褍胁褜 eaf 锌懈褋褜屑芯 芯斜褍胁褜泻褍锌懈褌褜 芯写械卸写褍 褋芯 褋泻懈写泻芯泄 薪械写芯褉芯谐芯褋谢邪薪褑褘 薪邪 锌谢邪褌褎芯褉屑械 褎芯褌芯卸械薪褋泻邪褟 褋褍屑泻邪 泻芯卸邪薪邪褟 furla metropolis mini 褋械褉芯 斜械卸械胁邪褟

  5. 韸鬼瀳 頃措嫻 韼橃澊歆€鞐?鞝戩啀頃橂崝霛茧弰 雿办澊韯?鞖旉笀鞚?霐半 攵€瓿?霅橃 鞎婌晞 搿滊皪 鞖旉笀 瓯膘爼 鞐嗢澊

    marc jacobs snapshot top zip multi wallet in brown bagsnike kobe ix elite mens basketball shoes cheap kobe 9 high top elitefrida night black handbag hobo bagblack lace up choker long sleeves dress

  6. wood grain yeti cup

    barnas hus rabattkode gjé…¶r et kupp i august 2019 aftenpostenlevis slitesterke jeans og klå¿™r av kvalitetbikinier fra filippa k næ°“ opp til 40varm jakke barn

  12. alt for damerne kvindelé…¶b 2019 odense motionslé…¶b dit

    讞讚砖 讘讞讜爪讜转 讛诪驻专抓 砖诪诇讜转 讻诇讛 讜注专讘 讞讜爪讜转 讛诪驻专抓 讗讗讜讟诇讟讗转专 讛诪讜住讚 诇讘讟讬讞讜转 讜讙讬讛讜转爪讘注讬 讬讚讬讬诐 razilileopard is the new black 讗诪讛 emma fashion 驻讬讬住讘讜拽

  14. tiger of sweden foret dame jakker kæ°“per

    adidas shorts boxe amateur in poliestere black da taglia l epriceasos design maglione leggero bianco attillato a trecce donnascarpe adidas run falcon k sneakers donna ragazza sport running lavanda rosa 45just cavalli uomo scarpa mocassino casual tempo…

  17. adidas girl and hair image

    compre por mayor camisetas nba ni帽o houston rockets chris paul rojo icon 2017 2018 abbagliantemè°©s salvaje que un ni帽o con zapatos nuevos. as铆 reinventa el ahoraventa de vestido primavera verano vestidos en mercado libre chilecomprar hombre zapatillas b…

  19. ferris face sweatshirt

    under armor heat gear fitted pantsmens long sleeves under armour coldgear reactor zip black black a hayes photoua hovr range of smart running shoes in india pricereduced curry 2 all white girl

  20. camisa oferta tipo bambula

    earring tommy hilfiger classic signature female kronoshop渭axi 蠁 蟻蔚渭伪 蟿慰 伪蟺伪蟻伪 蟿畏蟿慰 魏慰渭渭 蟿喂 蟽蟿畏谓 纬魏伪蟻谓蟿伪蟻 渭蟺伪 蟽慰蠀 纬喂伪 蟿慰rel贸gio digital de led com pulseira de silicone. carregando zoomya mur izmesi nine west

  22. acheter 2019 femmes robe noire sexy moulante robes 4 couleurs tricot茅 pit tissu femmes robe d茅t茅 casual robe de plage de du

    victorias secret pink nation we run this beach tank top white neon green xs nwtvictoria secret pink leather bikervictoria secrets texas tech sweatpants. yepsuper cute victoria secret pink sports bra super colorful depop

  23. beanie winter cap

    kjé…¶p bukse med sleng slengbukser til dame i sté…¶rrelse 28 34 pæ°“ nettreima gutt dresser uv dress odessaæ°“ selge bedriften hegnar boklå¿™sebriller til kvinder

  25. paul smith black ink alder sunglasses paul smith

    keen outlet sandaler r枚d damskor butikerthomas sabo charm club silver berlock lyckokl枚ver p盲rlasail racing ytterkl盲der herrkl盲der j盲mf枚r priser p氓枚rh盲nge droppformat 12 mm i 925 sterling silver med bl氓

  26. camicia bianca con colletto nero

    rieker rieker womens blue slip on elasticated sandals v5582 12doc martens fisherman sandalscheck out some sweet savings on womens ecco flash buckle sandaldiscount van sneakers 2019 cheap vans original og classic brand old skool men women canvas

  29. floral dresses mid size

    dorothy perkins black and white floral dress mens floral print dress shirts floral halter backless dress floral v neck skater dress simply vera wang floral shift dress floral lace flare dress loft

  31. nude pink new pumps

    gucci womens belt with pearls cheap outletgucci shoulder bag cheap outletgucci silver gg marmont slide sandals sizegucci trademark 17.75 sterling silver heart necklace

  32. designer women gold rings

    2016 women floral printing dress summer casual maxibuy vestidos largos cap and get free shipping ondresses women 2019 kawaii ulzzang harajuku clothes vintage koreanmint green 2019 cocktail dresses sheath 3 4 sleeves lace beaded knee length elegant part…

  35. lencer铆a y ropa interior de hombre negros logo 10 productos. negros logo hombre lencer铆a y ropa interior

    el ballet o danza clè°©sica es un g茅nero dramè°©tico cuya acciè´¸n es por medio de y danzasbaby basic 3 pack body black whiteonly jersey de mujer con estampado corazones y aberturas laterales azul marino punto jerseyshombre y mujer en trajes de ba帽o en blanc…

  36. torebka pod siode艂ko sks tour bag xl

    雿办儊韸?雺措皽霝€鞀?鞎勲敂雼れ姢 氙鸽Μ 欷€牍勴晿電?鞁犿暀旮?臧€氚?氇潓氚滊爩鞁滌晞臧€ 韸鸽Μ頂?韺旊澕霐旍泙 40 韺愲Г 鞏措靸?/a>氩犿姼氅?x 毽车 鞚胳姢韮€韼岉攧 頁Μ 氇吀攴鸽灗best 頂岆爤鞚错厤鞀?頂勲韸疙泤 氩犾澊歆€ 敫岆澕1膦?/a>

  39. samsung mobile bangladesh

    鞁鹅柎靹?毵堨棎鞀ろ姼搿?8霌滊瀺鞙茧 甑Г 鞚?雮犽弰 順勲寑鞎勳毟霠?鞛愳泊鞐愳劀 於旉皜頃犾澑鞚?霌れ柎臧€靹?40毵岇洂 欷戨皹鞐?毵堨棎鞀ろ姼搿?鞝曥灔 甑Г頄堨柎鞖?雮彊靸濎澊 甑Г頄堧崢 臧る煭鞁滊炒雼?/a>氚滊Μ 2007 鞁犿槙 free m 07 鞀る媹旎れ靸侂嫧 氅旊壌鞐愳劀 頃欖爯鞚胳爼 鞁犾箔 鞁犾箔鞎堧偞 毳?靹犿儩頃?欤检劯鞖?/a>g毵堨紦 韺旍皩氇╆备鞚措霌り赴 韺旍皩 氇╆备鞚?毵岆摛旮办灛耄?瓿奠槇鞛

  42. tiffany kjole i army gr 8n se denne fine kjole

    韸鬼瀳 雸堨棳瓴?氤挫嫟氚膘澊 鞎勲霃?頂勲澕雼?韱犿姼氚膘澊 鞎勲嫄旯?靸濌皝頃橂姅雿办殧 甑偞鞐?鞛呹碃霅橃柎 鞛堧姅 韱犿姼氚膘鞐愳劀霃?雼棸 霐旍瀽鞚戈臣 鞁れ毄靹膘潉 臧栰稊瓿?鞛堧姅 氇呿拡氚膘澊旮半晫氍戈赴霃?/a>氩犾澊歆侅姢韺?氚措敥觳皵歆€ 5803頃橃澊鞗姢韸?韴矂韸?歆勳箔 鞕€鞚措摐 雿半嫎 韺笭 韱奠箔氚旍 鞓レ厴鞀搓皜歆?accueil

  45. 渭慰谓蟿苇蟻谓慰 蟺伪喂未喂魏蠈 魏蟻蔚尾维蟿喂 苇蟺喂蟺位慰 蠁蠅蟿喂蟽蟿喂魏蠈 渭喂蠂伪位蠈蟺慰蠀位慰蟼

    black leather outer shell balenciaga coatspull col roul茅 brod茅 rose pour femme balenciagauniversity of kentucky mens t shirtsbalenciaga triple s colors

Comments are closed.