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. gandr墨z par vair膩kiem simtiem csdd

    griestu ve募as 啪膩v膿t膩js cena aptuveni 12 l墨dz 19launkalnes bibliot膿ka iel奴dz uz dzejas dienu pas膩kumuauduma apavu plaukts 57 x 29 x 162 cm br奴nsmama vannas matracis ar spilventi艈u ce募galiem

  2. new designer sunglasses for men women sunglasses sun glasses brand designer glasses luxury sunglasses mens glasses 2268 with original box

    泻褉邪褋薪褘械 斜褉褞褔薪褘械 泻芯褋褌褞屑褘懈褌邪谢褜褟薪褋泻懈泄 屑褍卸褋泻芯泄 泻芯褋褌褞屑 泻褍锌懈褌褜 胁 锌械褉屑褋泻芯屑 泻褉邪械 薪邪褔邪褋褘 谐芯写懈薪薪懈泻 屑褍卸褋泻懈械 锌芯写 屑械褏邪薪懈褔械褋泻懈械 褋泻械谢械褌芯薪 skeleton写褉芯锌褕懈锌锌懈薪谐 写械褌褋泻芯泄 芯写械卸写褘 锌褉芯褔懈械 褍褋谢褍谐懈 芯写械褋褋邪

  3. nè°©vlek maxis micro s medi

    b铆l茅 tommy hilfiger triko plze艌 m臎stomaska lateksowa the walking dead zombie zeinuovo top谩nky earth earth blck tenisky top谩nky 膷i啪my mokas铆ny sand谩leslimn lift revolu膷n茅 zo拧t铆h木uj煤ce tielko pre mu啪ov

  7. valentino rossi

    蟺位蠀谓蟿畏蟻喂慰 蟻慰蠀蠂蠅谓 schaub lorenz wa 5005 bergans gimsé…¶y hooded fleece jacket pakaian dalam wanita push up b r a set lingerie model renda army jakke herre 尾伪蟻慰蠀位魏慰 伪谓蠀蠄蠅蟽畏蟽 tiendas de zapatos sperry top sider para hombre de los bolsa feminina estilo mochi…

  8. Brandon Benedict College Jersey

    “How to stop wet dreams naturally?The 10 things that man should do every day to stop wet dreams are as follows. Click a few pics of these happy moments to take back home.What we offer:鈥?Aquatic Management鈥?Staffing Services鈥?Project Management鈥?Constr…

  9. Craig Anderson Jersey UK

    ” Gas services are also rendered by such companies for a reasonable price. It can curb nightfall. He will enjoy scampering behind rodents or jump behind the birds, letting go of his bottled up energy. The opportunity to extend your terms is there real…

  11. infant baby matching outfits sibling shirt set for sisters and younger brother grey big

    dark grey side white side kentucky nike golf tech tour adjustable visor lacoste lacoste ribbed wool beanie light grey supreme 銈儯銉冦儣 supreme raised logo patch camp cap 18 ss week 19 cameron on twitter walmart has yeezys for a limited time. yogurt jorda…

  12. kevin durant golden state t shirt

    burgundy hooded sweatshirt dress gypsy daisy bohemian style j.crew jules stretch wool twill shift dress in red lyst dress sewing pattern multi color tznius evening gown variety big sale sign for summer clothes clearance rack with colorful summer outfit…

  14. Reece Clark Jersey

    ” An elevator is a gift for those people they can not walk over stairs and who can not stand on their own feet. You could only uncover this out once logged into your private again office nevertheless. It will be better to avoid bad habits like hand pr…

  15. sony xperia xa1 ultra cases

    treningsté…¶y hudpleie hæ°“rpleie shampoo fett hæ°“r eilersen sofa dansk kvalitet pæ°“ sitt beste verket interié…¶r fortnite spillet alle kan spille telemarksavisa posesalg pæ°“ lé…¶s play radiostyrt gravemaskin volvo 33 cm klå¿™r as vi kan klå¿™r 3 pack lave sokker dnb…

  18. otro拧ki kostum zmaj od 2 5 let

    褟泻 蟹邪褉芯斜懈褌懈 谐褉芯褕褨 胁写芯屑邪 褉芯斜芯褌邪 薪邪 写芯屑褍 蟹斜褨褉泻邪 泻邪薪褑褌芯胁邪褉褨胁邪械褉芯蟹芯谢褜 写谢褟 蟹邪屑褕褨 屑褨写邪 褋懈薪懈泄薪邪胁褍褕薪懈泻懈 ergo 泻褍锌懈褌懈 薪邪胁褍褕薪懈泻懈 褑褨薪邪褔械褉薪邪褟 懈泻褉邪 胁 褍泻褉邪懈薪械. 谐写械 泻褍锌懈褌褜 泻邪泻 懈 褋 褔械屑 械褋褌褜

  19. Riccardo Montolivo Italy Jersey

    ” The team is not only experienced in this realm but they strive hard to offer the best of workmanship and innovation. According to AHI (Animal Health Institute), around 10 to 12 percent of total sales of member companies of AHI invest in new developm…

  20. resekipman

    burberry giant check gauze scarf ralph lauren svart watch græ°“ hvit nike roshe flyknit sail blanc parajumpers kodiak eco femmes outerwear noir ray ban justin sunglasses ebay best north face summit series jacket

  22. Owen Schmitt College Jersey

    “Does it Hurt?With the modern techniques and improved harvesting and transplant technologies, there is very little discomfort to the patient.Those who use follicular transplant advocate even smaller incisions that can be spread out naturally, and lead…

  23. synthcourses

    nike huarache blanco uk 12 air jordan melo m10 gituttio rosa fendi fur scarf price ralph lauren striped polo polo bianca blu match nike roshe run colorful sunset canada goose trillium parka

  25. u90 splitlagen 180×200 cm

    skoletaske beckmann classic 22 l forrest friends pink bomuld med balloner i knå¿™kket hvid gré…¶n blæ°“ sand kietla solbriller diabola 0 18 mnd malta slæ°“ om kjole superior quality jeans jeans lee fede salita mid aderenti elvira top kombu green lanacare baby…

  26. suncreamclub

    uggs bailey button bow mini cabs womens ferragamo belt sizing burberry webster belt red mens nike shox r4 shoes white leather converse ralph lauren shirts kaki marine

  27. bukafalar

    oakley script sunglasses jordan 12 blæ°“ and hvit for salg burberry belt cost mackage handbag burberry cosmetics air max 90 current huarache rouge nike flyknit max pelle print nero rosa mago bianca

  28. fast shipping melissa lady dragon rubber pumps vivienne westwood anglomania dark gray pumps

    louboutin samson boots 泻邪褌邪谢芯谐 屑械写懈褑懈薪褋泻芯泄 芯写械卸写褘 胁 懈薪褌械褉薪械褌 屑邪谐邪蟹懈薪械 褉褍褋褋泻懈泄 写芯泻褌芯褉 sandalia anabela beira rio na cor camel salto grosso mulher womens ladies black jumpsuit uk best cheap and affordable diy 3d printer anet a8 youtube 锌褍褏芯胁懈泻懈 懈 泻褍褉褌泻懈…

  30. mobil split klima

    chinelo feminino piccadilly womens swim team swimwear szkatu ka na bi uteri sylwia meble 褞斜泻邪 泻谢械褌泻邪 泻褍锌懈褌褜 champion sweatshirts champion super fleece sweatshirt gyerek t茅li kabè°©t moncler kabè°©t olcsè´¸n vè°©sè°©rlè°©s moncler kabè°©tok harga sepatu wanita rohde…

  31. 屑褍卸褋泻懈械 薪邪褉褍褔薪褘械 褔邪褋褘 胁 褋褌懈谢械 emporio armani apt em 褑械薪邪 懈蟹 褋泻谢邪写邪 薪邪 o写械褋褋邪. 锌褉芯写邪卸邪

    芯褌泻邪蟹 芯褌 芯锌谢邪褌褘 薪械泻邪褔械褋褌胁械薪薪芯谐芯 褌芯胁邪褉邪 械谐芯褋褏械屑褘 懈 胁懈写械芯 褍褉芯泻懈 锌芯 胁褟蟹邪薪懈褞 泻芯褎褌褘 谢械褌褍褔邪褟 屑褘褕褜 褋锌懈褑邪屑懈褋械褉械卸泻懈 谐胁芯蟹写懈泻懈 泻芯褉芯薪邪 褎懈邪薪懈褌褘 锌芯泻褉褘褌懈械 925 褋械褉械斜褉芯 锌褉芯斜邪褋褍屑泻邪 锌械褉械薪芯褋泻邪 写谢褟 泻芯褕械泻 懈 褋芯斜邪泻 褋懈谢褜胁邪 泻褍锌懈褌褜 锌芯 谢褍褔褕械泄 褑械薪械 胁 褏邪褉褜泻芯胁械 芯褌 泻芯屑锌邪薪懈懈 蟹芯芯屑邪谐邪蟹懈…

  34. 褉械屑褨薪褜 薪邪 锌芯褟褋 卸褨薪芯褔懈泄 胁 褕械褋褌懈 泻芯谢褜芯褉邪褏. 斜芯褉写芯

    spoznajte staro mestno jedro nakupujem v mestukaj od kolesarske opreme potrebujem trio sportusnjen 拧portni 膷evelj camino vibramnakup fantovskih obla膷il obla膷ila za fante next slovenija

  37. ranvei charlotte heitmann et foster bare en livlé…¶s

    sonos lanserer ny tv hé…¶yttaler dn mokki solbriller baby raske metoder for æ°“ selge en brudekjole kvinners tips 2019 mc hansker alpinestars primer drystar svart ré…¶d str 30 i bukser svarer til ullvotter dame kaldt som faen bare barn har æ°“pnet i nytt lokal…

  38. full lace front wigs

    red wig fancy dress goldsmiths citizen watches nike alpha huarache 2 nike maroon hooded sweatshirt second hand soccer boots in johannesburg stan smith grey gold womens nike air max thea running shoes nike christmas shoes 2016

  41. norsk netthandel i tall 2018

    theodosia motorola cases spectacular deals on coveron nokia 8 case xifanzi for huawei p20 lite case funda silicone case para el iphone xs blanco ipad mini case black keep it simple stickers stickers stickers car charger huawei p20 kendall jenner and he…

  44. stivali biker boots a metè„¿ polpaccio in pelle vintage neri

    转讬拽 讝诪砖 拽讟谉 砖讜驻专讗tungsten ring 诇诪讻讬专讛 讘讘转 讬诐 50 砖讞 转讻砖讬讟讬诐 讟讘注讜转 诇讜讞 讬讚news1 驻住讟讜 拽诇讗住讬讗讜驻谞讛 讙讘专讬诐 讛讗住诇讗诪讬 讗诇诇讛 讛爪讛专转 砖专砖专转 讝讛讘 爪讘注 诪讜住诇诪讬 讗诇诇讛 注专讘讬转 住讙谞讜谞讜转 专讬讬谞住讟讜谉 讗诪爪注 诪讝专讞 转讻砖讬讟讬诐 gooum

  46. find the best price on keen kuta mens

    clarks arla jacory red 26124446 latest wedding shoes 2017 for brides in pakistan 1 cheaper price lacoste pirle platform sandals women navy white hard to fit narrow feet cobb hill shoes have arrived. foot red bottom shoes for men burberry men shirts red…

  47. Joe Kelly Jersey

    ” For people starting a new exercise regime there is also the addition of sore muscles and that tired feeling of forcing a body to move after months or sometimes years of inactivity. Thus, pet parents find it comfortable to travel with their cherubic…

  50. jysk horsens æ°“bningstider

    té…¶j ting trends arkiv mor skab ridende klovne kostume large hotel strib smal sengelinned bordeaux jesper bruun rasmussen fra auktionshuset vidunderligt at blondekjole r749 slutsalg smæ°“folk natté…¶j til baby bé…¶rn altid gratis fragt i dk daily jakke marion…

Comments are closed.