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. 2020 cortez rosso bianco

    st艡铆brn茅 fox shirt 2020 3xl r暖啪ov茅 mikina asics gel noosa tri 10 2020 yeezy 700 kiwi nike mercurialx finale indoor 啪lut茅 converse all star low tops 2020 puma enzo 2020 harden vol 2 red

  2. szczeg贸艂y o riverdale southside serpents leather jacket for men an women

    鑳屼腑 銉儨銉?銉夈儸銈?銉°兂銈?浜屻仱鎶樿病甯?閫氳博銇儥銉儭銈俱兂銉嶃儍銉?/a> 瀛愪緵銉夈儸銈?銈点儠銉┿兂 绱?婕斿浼氱敤銉夈儸銈?銈ゃ兂銈广偪 銈般儵銉炪兗 銉撱偔銉嬨伄閫氳博 au wowma 銈儻銈ゃ偆 銇傘仚妤?姘寸潃 銉儑銈ｃ兗銈?銉兗銈广儞銈儖 銈儹銈?shawnee 2010 姘寸潃銈偪銉偘 绂忛暦鍎?鏉夊北浣抽偅鎭?闀疯胺宸濄亗銈?/a> 銉栥儷銈儶 銉偞閲戝叿 浜屻仱鎶樸倞璨″竷 灏忛姯鍏ャ倢銇傘倞 銉°兂銈?銉?銉儛銉嗐偅 姘寸潃

  6. anthropologie bordeauxrode jurk

    b盲rbar musik fræ°“n philips ljud bild barnsmycken dopsmycken fæžšrlossningsgæ°“vor. hos dam shorts i stretch nederdelar shorts kl盲nning online billiga senaste v盲ndbart pæ°“slakan i flanell luftpump bestway sidewinder tunn ullstrumpa dam ullprodukter sommarback…

  7. dublin equestrian clothing

    zebra tas grijs torfs sportschoenen dames gucci schoenen maat 26 waar kan ik goedkope koffers kopen heren winterjas lang sale laarzen met kleine hak dsquared shirt wit dames perfect pro radio

  8. portacarte verde

    converse off bianche qualitè„¿ senza pari donna alta qualitè„¿ della moda moschino scarpe di sicurezza s3 hro moto protect marrone sito ufficiale nike ragazze air force 1 low 06 michael kors carryall portafoglio in pelle liscia con monogramma mk metallico…

  9. best lego collection

    toy锛巐ego 31015 鐏粖 鍏?1鐩?creator 3 in 1 绯诲垪 鍏ㄦ柊 鍙鍍?sm 1207duplo 3772 deluxe trein vintage a vendrestar wars lego 7190 millennium falcon with minifigures boxbburago 1 18 diecast car bugatti chiron roadster car vehicle metal toys gift modified car simul…

  10. tri膷ko converse m chuck taylor tee

    z木avy dè°©mske biele tri膷ko s potla膷ou sun 啪abky salamander protetika kotn铆kov茅 barefoot boty margo navy protetika topè°©nky supra vaider 2.0 black red 膷铆na plastov茅 prepravky s vekom v媒robca a panska obuv do snehu fuchsiov茅 拧aty oble膷en铆 r暖啪ovè°© pè°©nska ta拧…

  11. detail of lock from a goyard steamer trunk

    shore club womens plus size prim underwire swimsuit 22 red smocked bikini shopstyle from colour block to crochet the best swimwear from simply be webshop air walk bathing suit swimming trunks swimwear swimsuit spats type youth boy child ergowear pouch…

  13. schwarze plateau pumps von ansehen

    damen rucks盲cke in grau shoppen bis zu 56 stylight wonderheel stiletto high heel boots rot patent platform barts beanie caiman nike sporttasche brasilia 6 duffel suchergebnis auf f眉r piraten schlafanzug bekleidung langes kleid knopfleiste in vorne such…

  14. 膷epice s v媒拧ivkou v媒拧ivky na textil

    蟺伪喂未喂魏伪 位伪蟺蟿慰蟺 渭慰蠀蟽蟿伪魏伪蟽 蟽慰蠀蔚蟿 渭蟺慰蠀蠁伪谓 jeanious 蟺维蟿蟻伪 伪胃位畏蟿喂魏伪 蟺伪蟺慰蠀蟿蟽喂伪 纬蠀谓伪喂魏蔚喂伪 渭蔚 蟿伪魏慰蠀谓喂 蟻慰位慰纬喂伪 bulgari 尾慰蠀蟻蟿蟽伪 纬喂伪 蟻慰蠀蠂伪 伪蟽蟺蟻伪 未喂蟺伪蟿伪 蟺伪蟺慰蠀蟿蟽喂伪 蟺蟻蠅蟿慰蟿蠀蟺伪 未蠅蟻伪 纬喂伪 渭慰蠀蟽喂魏慰蠀蟽

  18. dirndl 50 cm

    informativa cookie e privacy policy chiara casablanca fustella fiocchi di neve colorpoint lucidi bracciale breil donna ghirlanda 40 led luminosi stalattiti luci donna oro elements bracciale oro rosa 18 kt rigido la batteria uno strumento musicale che 猫…

  20. nike flex distance

    mikina s potiskem bmw dè°©mskè°© deichmann modni trendy pro podzim zimu 2019 celebritytime mesto na strè°©nke zoznam neplati膷ov bratislava sme kopa膷ky nike magista onda ii df fg 414 max wash autoum媒vare艌 tren膷铆n polariza膷n铆 br媒le fortis wraps brown sportcarp…

  21. 涓彜 chanel銇儸銉囥偅銉笺偣 鏈嶉＞灏忕墿 銈炽偝銉炪兗銈偔銉笺偙銉笺偣

    masivn铆 st艡铆brn媒 nè°©ramek rhodiovan媒 kurtki zimowe damskie netmoda enjoy the movement nè°©ramek yellow tary modne stroiki na bo偶e narodzenie elegant hollister logo push up balconette behæ°“ dam i aku bu拧ilica bosch 1200 motorna pila echo cs 35 kinetix erkek…

  22. jeans 100 cotone

    under armour n艖i ua w charged allaround spdnt utcai cip艖 az is hasznè°©lhatè´¸ n艖i kæžšntæžšs pl眉ss anyagbè´¸l zenith è´¸ra a ajè°©nd茅k æžštlet fejhallgatè´¸ er艖s铆t艖 fejhallgatè´¸ f眉lhallgatè´¸ vè°©sè°©rlè°©s playmobil n艖i ruhè°©zati 眉zlet playmobil è°©rak vans wm away hat baseball s…

  23. 讘诪砖讟专讛 谞注专讻讬诐 诇讬讜诐 讻讬驻讜专 诪讞专 爪驻讜讬 注讜诪住 讘讘转讬 讛注诇诪讬谉 专讚讬讜

    pokemon eevee anime japon茅s sudaderas para las mujeres chicamochilas eastpak gris gran capacidadremeras estampadas mujer algodon verano 2019 estampadas. envbisuteria para ni帽as al por mayor

  24. marineblæ°“ marine rutet pysj calida pysjamas

    billig tommy hilfiger cardigan aus woll kaschmir mix rot damen brudekjoler i et romantisk univers cylinder penalhus star wars elefanten bodil the harbour girl sengeté…¶j 200×220 cm smal stribet cyan bomuldssatin mads né…¶rgaard nederdele ké…¶b online fra de…

  25. pravilno dizanje tereta model educa

    buty puma bhp odzie偶 damska gda艅sk 偶贸艂te spodnie rurki sklep nike outlet szczecin under armour kurtka meska szlafrok z uszami dla dzieci 艣wiat wed艂ug zo艂zy swatch m臋ski

  26. diesel jogg jeans femme

    2019 wholesale soccer uniforms blank customize soccer jerseys kit men adults youth training game set sport suit from jiejiejerseycosta del mar retro trucker ball cap navynike mens trainer 3.0 v3 training shoetoddler girl western shirts dreamworks

  29. casual dinner wear

    biais simili cuir caramel sweat marque homme chemise femme en coton creation internet lorient d茅tails sur diamond pantalon homme lin blanc gris casual entrejambe bas pointure 44 46 48 50 chaussures running adidas soldes chaussures adidas femme 2015 jup…

  31. vans outlet chica

    coque messi smartphone iphone coque 8 plus tee shirt 2016 homme soutien gorge sans armature grande taille playtex coque 6s iphone mocassin clou coque soccer android samsung j5 robe repetto fille

  32. abbigliamento vans bambino

    billieblush baby girls ivory cotton knit cardigan childrensalon outlet abercrombie girls green girls jacket m8 10 didriksons harje kids ski jacket kryptonite green dresses gflock.lk rachel baby romper 12 month 3 front white sunshine amp rainy autumn ba…

  35. gel unghie archivio

    set e accessori per bambola decuevas toys nuove uscite nike air max excellerate uomo university rosso scarpe da calcio adidas predator 19.1 fg scarpe dewalt dcm 561 pbs decespugliatore a batteria agli ioni di albero di natale monte rosa lusso 300 cm ab…

  36. botas y zapatos de invierno

    ropa y zapatos de segunda mano chiruca paramo relojes mk mujer originales zapatillas de vestir mustang precio de reloj mk original skechers summits zapatillas para mujer precio de tenis tommy hilfiger mujer tenis reebok para ni帽a blancos

  37. nike mesh batoh nachov媒

    rosso wool blend cappotto reebok classic aztrek trainers mbappe mercurial nike vapormax plus rosso shark tooth girls nero moncler giacca aspen gold checkerosso vans jordan gold bianco e nero bianco e verdi hypervenoms

  38. nike scarpe 2014

    2020 nasa felpa h&m adidas zx flux xeno price 2020 timbuk2 parkside 2020 adidas cm7633 rosa ultra boost donna nike air max motion 2 puma phenom satin ep grade school vapormax flyknit

  40. 2020 peep toe booties

    womens nike rose gold metallic air cuffed track pantaloni 2020 the ten converse caterpillar steel toe work stivali nike react element 87 stockx puma jago trainers philosophy maglione adidas x dragon ball buy nike moon racer for vendita

  41. wszystkie produkty i

    simple nero slip vestito davids bridal flower girl vestiti sale next floral avvolgere vestito maroon e d’oro prom hot abiti for going out go colors leggings all ingrosso checkered mini vestito little girl sailor vestito

  42. michelin x ice north 4 245 40 r 18 97t piggdekk

    calvin klein jeans t skjorte shrunken svart stresskoffert av bé…¶ffelskinn cè´¸ndor openwork high knee socks knestré…¶mper farge 304 lin swedol univern bukse i ullfrott茅 760 04 svart led lampe i snor fra spralla batteridrevet lys lave boots fra pimkie ga 100…

  45. borsa tracolla michael kors

    men coat leather cloth buy leather jackets online at bestelectriq capsules for men for sustained sexual healthblack sleeveless contrast lace shoulder dress emmacloth women fast fashion onlineflower dress 2016

  46. 700 boost scarpe

    big und tall Rosa shirt 2020 nike huarache 41 grey jordans 12 columbia Silber ridge stretch pants baby boy gucci Sandalen schwarz pants rot shirt schwarz tie new balance 373 Turnschuhe nike free rn 2018 toddler girl

  47. giacca vintage uomo

    second hand louis vuitton brea mm shop designer bags in vancouver stella mccartney falabella faux leather fold over chain crossbody bag light grey iconic bags a classic vintage tote bag with a stylish handle multiple colors and a printed under armour n…

  48. collana con zaffiro e diamanti

    alè°©æžšltæžšzet decathlon ç…¤j puma sportosan elegè°©ns f茅rfi kabè°©t xl 9900 ft f茅rfi æžšvek el茅rhet艖s茅g akciè´¸k nixon p茅nztè°©rca arc brown birkenstock madrid egypè°©ntos papucs feh茅r keskeny fazon fekete kismama f眉rd艖ruha vicky forma adventure motoros tç…¤racsizma feke…

  50. vestiti a poco

    borsa liu jo manhattan nera keyword stats 2019 09 20 at 11 12 01 gucci fantagazzetta probabile formazione stivaletti texani biker scarpe chiuse donna skechers prezzi porta portafoglio gucci scarpe con il tacco da bambina

Comments are closed.