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. lentille permanente

    alpargata forever new ray ban marrones spinning cecotec paginas buscar pareja abrigos para ni帽as 2018 gps pulsometro garmin numero amazon ropa de bautizo para ni帽os de dos a帽os

  3. bigtree women flock pumps strange style cut out hollow high heels detachable buckle strap mary jane sandals fantasy shoes woman in womens pumps from shoes

    reima dun jakke mbym kjole kvindeguiden pimp zuh盲lter vinyl herren schlaghosen zebra schwarz weiss bruder roadmax legeté…¶j til bé…¶rn fra 2 æ°“r sid sneaker black underbukser med hé…¶yt liv é…¶kologisk bomull etisk mote cathrine sequin dress lé…¶b for begyndere k…

  5. anillos de cè´¸ctel compra 4 marcas stylight

    oble膷en铆 nike w air max 1 ultra flyknit white blackna podv盲zkov媒 p谩s 8 kusov lacn茅 拧atyv媒znam polodrahokamov 贸nyx v媒znam polodrahokamov 贸nyxzlat茅 top谩nky na platforme corina

  6. cobalt blue polo shirt

    nike roshe golf Zapatos leather moncler genius abrigo jordan 1 violet negra puma platform trace sneakers in blanca negra with gum sole light rosa floppy hat all blanca concords mizuno botas de fç…¤tbol australia negra y azul jordans

  7. boty ko啪en茅 p谩nsk茅 v.44 pohodln茅

    dè°©mske zlat茅 ko啪en茅 lodi膷ky nicol v媒jezd dè°©msk茅 lodi膷ky plavky 膷ierne guess lè°©tkovè°© ta拧ka wolf re啪nè°© panske naramky zlate adidas ruksak 3d 膷ierna adidas slovakia potè°©pa膷skè°© maska x vision sprchovacia kozmetika gucci pè°©nsky tepl媒 zimn媒 kabè°©t s dlh媒m a k…

  8. 妤藉ぉ甯傚牬 銈偡銉冦偗銈?闈淬偟銈ゃ偤 cm 22.0 銈︺偐銉笺偔銉炽偘

    銉椼儊銉椼儵 銈枫儱銉笺偤 閫氳博 濂虫€с伄銉撱偢銉嶃偣銈偢銉ャ偄銉伄瀹氱京銇ㄦ湇瑁呫伄銉濄偆銉炽儓3鐐?銉撱偢銉嶃偣 銉┿兂銉夈偦銉伄銇旂垂浠嬨仹銇?suehiro 銉嶃儍銈儸銈?銉儑銈ｃ兗銈?k18銉涖儻銈ゃ儓銈淬兗銉儔 銉€銈ゃ儰銉兂銉?銈ㄣ偪銉嬨儐銈?銈兗銉椼兂銉忋兗銉?/a> 妤藉ぉ甯傚牬 銉栥儷銉?銉戙兗銈兗 銉堛儍銉椼偣 銉°兂銈恒儠銈°儍銈枫儳銉炽伄閫氳博 amazon west watson 銉儱銉冦偗 銈点儍銈?銉┿偊銉炽儔鍨?鑳岄潰 銉娿偆銈?銈ㄣ偄銉炪儍…

  10. lakers basquete

    heine wmf onda besteck lampe mayday damen autofahrer handschuhe nitras nylotex 3520 t shirt herren marken dirndl corsage kleid deerberg strumpfhosen poncho aus baumwolle

  12. rosa e blu gown

    asics air gel yeezy 700 static rep 1 1 adidas ace tango lady gaga obuv converse gray low top sparkly cardigans river island 2020 disruptor nike 2020 啪lut茅 hyperdunks

  13. pudrowa sukienka

    michael kors jet set travel chain shoulder tote bag brown mk 2018 fall just say high waisted boyfriend jeans bead racer column evening gown by badgley mischka introducing the gucci arli shoulder bag balenciaga speed trainer all black shop balenciaga sn…

  17. puma high cut golf shoes

    kobber kjole mbym lang kjole sandaler til brede fé…¶dder global funk flyverdragt udsalg falke stré…¶mper vandre hollys heldragt daniel silfen gennemsigtig dimissions gave til hende

  18. michelin x ice north 4 premium vinterdekk dekkshop

    kjole i mé…¶rk rosa print style 1166 gt006007 herreklokke nashville nike air max motion sneakers gré…¶n g star denim skinny bukse i str.24 30 koffert heathrow oliven brun trotter crocs lodgepoint sté…¶vler bé…¶rn blæ°“ det er boligeier som er den lille mann i de…

  19. azul nike sudadera

    2020 ecco blue shoes jordan 1 red low air jordan 1 og court purple nike odyssey react harga asics gel cumulus 19 pink 2020 kd rotoworld girls gold sparkly shoes puma blue and black shoes

  23. coach celebrates 2019 year of the pig with a special east meets west lunar new year collection

    薪邪褉褟写薪芯械 锌谢邪褌褜械 写谢褟 屑邪屑褘 薪械胁械褋褌褘 cè´¸mo llevar zapatillas a la oficina 魏蠀谓畏纬蔚蟿喂魏伪 蟽伪魏喂未喂伪 蟺位伪蟿畏蟽 luka dress shoe in brown by bata batabd sexy shiny pink gold silver leather scoop neck biquini bathing suit sport swimsuit plus size swimwear women brazilian…

  26. texasjudaica

    parajumpers coat that turns into bag canada goose chateau parka olive cafe nike hypervenom phantom gr眉n wei脽 pandora beads theater exercises louboutin boots hand nerve hermes belts black and gold key

  28. short length tee shirts

    褋屑邪褉褌褎芯薪 honor 6a褎芯褉屑邪 写谢褟 褕泻芯谢褜薪懈泻芯胁锌芯褋褌械谢褜薪芯械 斜械谢褜械 胁懈谢褞褌邪 褋邪褌懈薪 103 褋械屑械泄薪褘泄褟褉泻懈泄 屑芯写薪褘泄 屑芯谢芯写械卸薪褘泄 褉褞泻蟹邪泻 褋 褍褕泻邪屑懈

  29. cam cortina 3in1 babakocsi

    completo giacca pantalone brillantini termoadesivi nuovi arrivi della settimana intimissimi tacchetti in gomma calcio macchinette tosaerba prezzi elisabetta franchi armani costumi da bagno bauletto pantanetti

  30. bluzy i koszulki damskie trespass polska

    akcesoria do ozdè´¸b bo偶e narodzenie castorama tyrkisk motiv alhannah klå¿™r 2017 yeni bahar deri giyim kadè°‹n standè°‹ yaka deri ceket kè°‹sa ceket ince tasarè°‹m mor giyim nitecore tm06s tiny monster 4000 lumens e 359 metri torcia led gé…¶r google glad for din hj…

  31. is dutch only policy discrimination magazine

    pierre robert herre underté…¶y sammenlign priser og kjé…¶p pæ°“ nett pengesedler i omlé…¶p i storbritannia privat lagring mé…¶bler og innbo city self storage arbeidsjakke highvis til barn rp profil as t sunrise utendé…¶rs justerbar 4 led belysning vanntett hage ly…

  32. 拽讜谞讬诐 tommy hilfiger 转讬拽 讙讘 讘讝讜诇 讘讗诪讝讜谉

    classy marineblau hochzeit smoking slim fit anz眉ge f眉r m盲nner groomsmen anzug drei st眉cke g眉nstige abschlussball formelle anz眉gechapeau champ锚tre les du lindè´¸nde comprar mè°©s barato y al mejor precio unas adidas gazelledè°©msky 拧ilt nike court aerobill te…

  33. vltn baseball cap

    teddy bear girls cape jacket in toffee velvethoodie faux fur zip up jacket outerwear fashion fauxthe north face mens campshire vest burnt olive green small nwt 100allsaints ada coat black white at john lewis partners

  34. genuine apple original earphones

    kabinett til gaming pc junior sengeté…¶y blæ°“ 100×140 cm de beste tester og barneutstyr putekasse med dé…¶rer hvit tilbud gorilla proof glass til dukkesengeté…¶y 40cm rosa flytende maskinvask farget té…¶y 1070 ml norge pæ°“ langs med barn etappe trondheim stikles…

  37. mr maria miffy lampe bei panda kindermæžšbel

    dukke klapvogn roma lilla mads né…¶rgaard udsalg hurtig levering gratis fragt i dk ké…¶b adidas frakker til må¿™nd online skå¿™rmbriller er ansvar retailnews bruuns bazaar skjorte check jasmina shirt lagen til sebra kili babyseng i é…¶kologisk bomuld one piece b…

  38. red fur Mantel cropped

    2020 off wei脽e roshes nike roshe 2 flyknit v2 navy und gold plaid shirt 2020 janoski gs w nike zoom fly flyknit comme des play converse wei脽e reebok classics Damen 2020 vionic slippers

  39. memory foam shoes for work

    gucci lookio najv盲膷拧铆 mè´¸dny katalè´¸g zimna panska trekingova obuv 啪ivnosti online converse tricka lacno online velour cropped damske 膷ierne vans batoh do 拧koly apple iphone 6s smart battery case palladium dè°©msk茅 pampa hi pleten茅 lp high rise dè°©msk茅 styl…

  40. scarpe poco prezzo

    nieuwe kleding rivo rijssen met tijden kleding passen online shop gratis verzending zalando aquabeads zeelevenset aquabeads navulling sets pink ladies handtas van grease kopen voor 14.95 bij pruik hemd met hoge kraag serie 4 onderbouw afzuigkap 60 cm w…

  42. omron eco temp basic digit谩lis l谩zm茅r艖 bio

    14 karè°©tos feh茅r arany gyç–Ÿrç–Ÿ brill k艖vel n艖i farmer ruha sajè°©t k茅sz铆t茅sç–Ÿ marco tozzi n艖i papucs 27121 20 412 dune metallic 04538 m茅ret 39 n艖i elasztikus trikè´¸ atpam50212 hama step by step iskolatè°©ska mayo chix cardona antik posztamens 5.11 taktikai sap…

  43. soldes salomon xt wings

    asics gel cumulus 12 bambino bianche zx flux ragazzo venta de under armour haut femme dor茅 reebok nano 3.0 mujer 2017 puma fenty chaussons t shirt guess homme pas cher under armour boys performance polo

  44. pulmonary hypertension from bench to bedside

    mv back cover for huawei honor holly 4 margova jewellery online bestellen auf personajes oneplus cases 2.4 amp home charger with lightning cable belkin generic 5pcs protective non slip silicone case for kanger 160w vape protector anti scratch skin cove…

  47. best casual Wanderschuhe Damen

    nike devosion adidas fiorucci sambarose adidas zx flux s32279 nachov媒 kyrie 5 rose zlat茅 dlouh茅 拧aty mickey mouse old skool vans 膷ern茅 long sleeve button down shirt b铆l茅 bucket hat kmart

  48. off shoulder spitzenkleid

    poster in bianco nero butterfly donna wall art short donna jeans pantaloncini elasticizzati skinny vita scarpe nike vendita wonder woman la palestra per sole donne giacca leggera donna volantino la giraffa natale 2017 giocattoli offerte e prezzi olent…

  49. new balance velcro

    air max 97 modr茅 a gold cloudfoam lite racer byd canada goose usa outlet 2020 bjorkstrand nhl mens squall canyon waterproof chukka boots 2020 laptop sling bag sk8 hi cult champion air force 1

  50. pulli beste freundin

    maschera viso purificante effetto mat pantaloni di lino uomo retro harem pantaloni larghi baggy come riciclare gli oggetti 10 idee fai da te che vi faretti e lampioncini di design per fustelle per carta i nuovi cerchi 8 misure diverse panska zimna obuv…

Comments are closed.