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. marque poubelle cuisine

    novit脿 scarpe da running nike presto uomo sconto dellenegozio in vendita lecce con giardino privato 60 m虏 wikicasadiadora sneakers alte blu marine brandalleyabito abito estivo moda femminile elegante fionda

  3. trusa fard mirlans cod

    dual usb waterproof baterie externa solara ptgenunchiere volei wall macron delfin sportcasca masca pentru ski sau snowboarddezactivate inel logodna teilor aur alb cu diamant

  9. how to step into cross country ski bindings

    2017 chevrolet sonic makeover in the shadows large wall art for living room buy wall stickers online at grand plaza hotel branson discover branson up to 50 off womens shoes accessories chadwicks of boston dress shirt fit guide shirts mens wearhouse dis…

  10. trabajos en goma eva

    sandalias negras de esparto nike fundas de silicona para iphone 7 plus pantalones loose fit pijamas abiertos por delante reciclaje 7 carrefour gafas para chica gorras para bordar publicidad auriculares bluetooth para xiaomi mi a2

  13. 注讙讬诇讬 驻谞讬谞讛 爪诪讜讚讬诐 注讙讬诇讬 讝讛讘 爪诪讜讚讬诐 注讙讬诇讬诐 拽讟谞讬诐

    verlobungsring bergkristall pepe jeans skinny fit armani damenuhr eckig cabin koffer badeshorts damen chiemsee kinderschuhe online kaufen sneaker stan smith stehlampe pendel

  16. 泻褉芯泻褋褘 写械褌褋泻懈械 胁懈褌邪谢懈褟 褎褍泻褋懈褟 褉. 22 23

    vestidos mujer naranja kiabicomprar chaqueta de jacquard de mujer fiesta con floressaint tropez dress with shimmer vestido ligero forestcloset falda acampanada pale blue mujer ropa faldas

  17. camisa festa junina personalizada

    quick online birthday gifts delivery in delhi montblanc princesse grace collection special edition not sure teak wood dining table and chairs penny collar shirt men bankers round blue checks club peaky blinder large stuffed hippo toys games 12 month ol…

  18. jacket with hoodie penapispro

    mens converse buy mens converse online australia the iconicpaul smith men after shave 100ml sprayman fashion summer shoe styles man in fashioncabotine occasionwear mother of the bride dresses wedding

  22. tv meubels online kopen stralex

    gucci jackie soft tote gg coated canvas large at 1stdibs new deal alert michael kors fulton leather swingpack crossbody michael michael kors women voyager top zip tote in pale blue michael kors uptown astor patent satchel michael kors jet set east west…

  25. vagabond Zapatos sale

    2020 asic sneakers guess white wedge sandals converse black white high air max 1 og blue timberland earthkeepers chelsea boots nike hoodie blue mens the north face black hat air vapormax utility triple black

  26. kabelka z prav茅 k暖啪e b茅啪ov谩 krokod媒l brou拧en谩

    minilove 濂虫€у鐢ㄦ儏瓒ｆ彁鍗囧嚌闇?0ml 灏婁韩娆?momo璩肩墿缍?/a>nike air monarch iv 鐧借棈 閵€鍕?鑰佺埞 寰╁彜 娼祦 鍘氬簳 澧為珮 鎱㈣窇 鐢峰コ闉?415445 1022018鏃ユ湰鏂囧叿澶х崕 鍠滄剾鏃ユ湰likejapan 銉┿偆銈偢銉ｃ儜銉?/a>闆呭姞閬旇柀甯冮噷绱嶆梾椁?sabrina guest house agoda 鎻愪緵琛岀▼鍓?/a>

  27. knitting knee barreled socks leggings legwarmer

    model wearing c d bra style underwire bikini top in pink toucan print low price guarantee. close. gildan adult unisex plain long sleeve blank t shirt tagless carhartt mens regular small black cotton sleeveless t shirt remote control cars wacoal womens…

  29. phone case for acer z630

    bjé…¶rn borg skinnhansker ray ban round folding rb 001 93 51 rc hund elektronisk fjernkontroll robotic valp interaktiv syngende dans snakkende robot leketé…¶y rukka skinnjakke sort store sté…¶rrelser mtr mc bagorama i farmandstredet senteret reiseeffekter té…¶…

  30. rasoio effetto scalpo

    ez眉st nyaklè°©nc swarovski kristè°©llyal 茅kszer webè°©ruhè°©z fekete ladonna elegè°©ns irodai ruha æžšvvel ellè°©tva kord bè°©rsony zakè´¸ 2.5 td boxer elado olcsè´¸n eladè´¸ hasznè°©lt peugeot ebben a lehetsz a legn艖iesebb 铆gy viseld a disney j茅gvarè°©zs sporttè°©ska tè°©ska magic…

  31. brand new large lady dior bag in gray lambskin. gorgeous iconic lady dior in classic gray lambskin leather. an original one of a kind timeless bag designed

    stainless steel money clip cash credit card holder shoes boots gucci booties peep toe wedge snake print snake print shoes heels love dress woman elyse platform shoes jack murphy gabriella faux fur hat hollands country clothing sylvie modern emerald cut…

  32. canguro abbigliamento

    cover avanti e dietro iphone 6 bagaglio a mano modelli per fare i capelli grigi sneakers alte da uomo cappotto beige elisabetta franchi la casa della bomboniera volantino md tronchetti pier one

  33. nike discount shoes online discount shoes online nike fsr nike just do it flyknit jacquard network racing shoes

    promotion price 2019 winter coat women fake raccoon fur collar woman parka outerwear warm down jacket winter jacket female coat inpersonalized giraffe birthday party number t shirt orrosie pope 2pk legging peach star 0 3 in 2019 productsglamsia womens…

  34. kwmobile case for huawei y7 y7 prime tpu silicone crystal clear back case protective cover imd design white black

    clutch bags designer fashion products at forzieri official iphone 11 camera design is triggering trypophobia for some marble name personalised samsung galaxy case oneplus 5t 8 128gb lava red ori 1 week old accent clothing take a look at accents snow st…

  37. buty nike dunk

    纬蟻伪尾伪蟿伪 渭蔚 velcro 渭蠉位慰喂 伪位伪蟿慰蟺委蟺蔚蟻慰蠀 渭蟺伪蠂伪蟻喂魏蠋谓 蟺伪魏苇蟿慰 渭蔚 3 蟺伪喂未喂魏维 魏伪位慰魏伪喂蟻喂谓维 渭蟺位慰蠀味维魏喂伪 纬喂伪 魏慰蟻委蟿蟽喂伪 渭蔚纬苇胃畏 3 12 蔚蟿蠋谓 蟽蔚 未喂维蠁慰蟻伪 蟽蠂苇未喂伪 魏伪喂 蠂蟻蠋渭伪蟿伪 蟽蟿苇蠁伪谓伪 纬维渭慰蠀 伪蟽畏渭苇谓喂伪 渭蔚 蟺苇蟿蟻蔚蟼 swarovski ioannis 伪谓伪蟽蟿伪蟽喂伪未畏蟽 伪谓蟿伪位位伪魏蟿喂魏伪 蔚蟺喂蟽魏蔚蠀苇蟼 畏位蔚魏蟿蟻喂魏蠋谓 蟽蠀蟽…

  40. hat club hats one mills circle

    sexy womens cut out animal print clubwear mini dress with exposed back zipper s popularity style multi floral print knee length semi formal dress after prom cute cheap white dresses dress ty mens 90s style ski jacket . men parka jacket winter jacket sk…

  41. lunch box for kids

    zapatilla gris columbia hombre impermeables ventrailia 2 anello uomo con onice abbigliamento donna autunno 2019 inverno 2020 brend 蟺伪喂未喂魏蠈 未蠅渭维蟿喂慰 渭蔚 胃苇渭伪 蟽慰蠀蟺蔚蟻 萎蟻蠅蔚蟼 纬蠀谓伪喂魏蔚委伪 渭伪蠉蟻畏 味伪魏维蟻 pencil 蠁慰蠉蟽蟿伪 cocktail 014104004 賲賰丕賮丨丞 丕賱賲禺丿乇丕 賵馗賷賮 賳爻丕亍 賵乇噩丕…

  42. giacche da cucina bragard

    onia nina one piece swimsuit sz m really womens pink white dresses lurex jacquard split neck sleeveless dress and khaki swim shorts david beckham x h m collection medium depop new korean style summer retro print one piece swimwear women push up padded…

  43. vintage nike quantum force high

    讛讛转讗讞讚讜转 转讘讞谉 讗转 讛讛专讞拽讛诪住讜专 讗谞讻讬 讗诇拽讟专讜谞讬 谞讟注谉 18v stanley fatmax stanley讟讜驻住 讛爪注讛 爪讚 讙 讜讘讬讟讜讞 讞讘讜转 诪注讘讬讚讬诐 注讟专转 讘讬讟讜讞 讗讜谉 诇讬讬谉讗拽住讟专讗 讘讬诇讜讬 诪转谞讜转 诇注讜讘讚讬诐

  46. camisas de cuadros largas mujer

    catalogo importados ropa price shoes adrianna papell vestidos sport elegante juveniles ultimas tenis lebron james cochecito doble graco codigos huawei chaquetas de cuero hombre estilo motero gucci outlet zapatillas tallas grandes precio de lentes ray

  50. 魏慰喂谓蠅谓喂魏伪 谓蔚伪 蔚喂未萎蟽蔚喂蟼 蟽蠀谓蔚喂未畏蟽畏

    10 位慰纬慰蟿蔚蠂谓喂魏维 尾喂尾位委伪 渭蔚 蟿喂蟼 渭蔚纬伪位蠉蟿蔚蟻蔚蟼 蟺蠅位萎蟽蔚喂蟼 蠈位蠅谓 蟿蠅谓蠁蟿喂维尉蟿蔚 蟿伪 未喂魏维 蟽伪蟼 魏慰蠀蟺 蟺伪蟿 纬喂伪 蟿伪 渭蟺喂蟽魏蠈蟿伪 蟽伪蟼 伪蟺慰 苇谓伪magic bunny 胃萎魏畏 纬喂伪 慰未慰谓蟿慰纬位蠀蠁委未蔚蟼 alessi living znvevia top 5 未蔚魏 2014

Comments are closed.