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. bullboxer stiefel f眉r herren online kaufen

    bota seguran莽a couro preto bracol bujp ca 26706 bolsa chenson transversal matelass锚 marrom original 3481850 schwanenhals brillant ohrringe evaine bench herren pullover teabreak braun 7 wd brivnik premium ovitek kitajska no膷ne omarice lesena s predali p…

  2. aretes de oro con rubi

    starskin eye mask camping medical kit list casques antibruit ball trap equipement fjallraven underwear brooks white lustra do pokoju dziennego bi偶uteria srebrna damska allegro

  3. day et tasker

    cuddle me ply拧ov媒 jednoro啪ec v akci loja conceito da klin no brasil aposta l猫ve personne l猫ve patients l猫ve malade 讙谞专讟讜专 讘谞讝讬谉 bg 1500 bronco 讙谞专讟讜专讬诐 æ…°å–‚ 3 蟿蟻蠈蟺慰喂 纬喂伪 蟽蠅蟽蟿蠈 尉蔚蟺维纬蠅渭伪 魏蟻苇伪蟿慰蟼 bath termometer fisk temperatur vand tafelmodel barbecue kett…

  4. snygga lampor till kontoret

    skruvar till extra tjocka dæžšrrar harley davidson bosworth komposit tæ°“ 10 渭维蟽魏蔚蟼 慰渭慰蟻蠁喂维蟼 纬喂伪 魏维胃蔚 伪谓维纬魏畏 蟿畏蟼 orsay p艂aszczyk p艂aszcz jesienny wiosenny prochowiec idealny 艂贸dè—• koszule m臋skie d艂ugi r臋kaw krè´¸tki trymer wahl 79305 1316 kuchnia na wymiar ni…

  5. baixar p s fashion download p s fashion dl mç…¤sicas

    air zoom terra kiger 4 adidas long sleeve top 105 jimmy jazz w nike air zoom pegasus 35 prm in oil grey light carbon gridiron adidas metro socks iv keepersport gk pant panther ltd 3 4 67 bont kleedje grijs 32 cm kloubov茅 nè°©u拧nice st艡铆bro 925 leskl茅 srd…

  6. puma womens eskiva hi deep summer black

    褋邪薪写邪谢懈懈 屑褍卸褋泻懈械 ditto these puma black friday 2018 sales will have you running to ray ban womens metal woman round sunglasses puma flyer runner ladies running shoes dise帽o de poleras paleta sombras rojas pa帽uelos invierno 2019 谢械褌薪懈械 卸械薪褋泻懈械 褋邪薪写邪谢懈懈…

  11. 蔚蟺委蟽蟿蟻蠅渭伪 魏伪蟺喂蟿慰谓苇 渭蔚 蠁慰蠉蟽蟿伪 蠉蠁伪蟽渭伪

    kleine maat kostuum gestoorde verpleegster voor dames carnaval only onlsiline shine hw zwart leggings dames online 蟺伪喂未喂魏萎 蟽蟿慰位萎 伪渭伪味蠈谓伪 尾维蟽蔚喂蟼 纬喂伪 蟿畏位蔚慰蟻维蟽蔚喂蟼 蟿慰蟺慰胃苇蟿畏蟽蔚 蟿畏谓 蟿畏位蔚蠈蟻伪蟽畏 蟽蟿慰谓 蟿慰委蠂慰 未蔚蟻渭伪蟿喂谓伪 位慰蠀蟻喂伪 蟿蟽伪谓蟿伪蟽 jack jones jprdyson slim fit ka…

  13. co zvaracka predaj

    sacs thierry mugler femme sacs luxe jusquè„¿ 80 cizmy frozen medzizubna kefka curaprox dogs dressed as marilyn monroe chapeau 1940 spf sun protective clothing odin knee sleeves grange co op klean kanteen classic 40 oz nurse mates compression sock medical…

  14. 讛转驻转讞讜转 讛讗讜驻谞讬讬诐 诪讗讝 讜注讚 讛讬讜诐

    romeo relax fauteuil 茅lectrique option releveur la boutique du dos zdravotni pot艡eby barevn媒 啪ivot tipos de vitaminas saiba quais s茫o e netvå¿™rk hastighed high end hovedtelefoner foræ°“rsjakker 2015 parfume tilbud ké…¶b vå¿™ge til olielampe sneakers stré…¶mper…

  15. ariomusic

    ivory boho maxi ruha tampa bay buccaneers new era nfl team color basic 9fifty snapback casquette iphone x sag rhinoshield buty sportowe m臋skie do 150 z艂 tight kjole h忙ler herren brieftasche with rfid protection

  16. under armour shoes for ladies

    full brim hard hat hot leathers face mask ako nalepié’® umel茅 mihalnice travel pillow reviews 2015 girls under armour shine on t shirt size 4t nwt nwt under armour for women buy online under armour ua curry 5 sneakers men basketball shoes mens five weara…

  17. jbl t290 media markt

    localizar tienda orange sudaderas kooba best respirator mask for dust lunette de soleil bvlgari femme casque pro gamer ps3 baskets nike air homme doudou collection fila enfant basket nike maillot centenaire pamper taille 1

  18. cara mudah chunky beads tutorial simple beads youtube

    crazy for color running compression socks. fun and bright knee high compression socks for wholesale fitness compression white sports running yoga shorts for women amazing deal inc international concepts womens cuffed cargo shorts retired emo kid shirt…

  19. furniture corner protectors for babies

    TRiXY SH242 丕賱賮囟丞 丨噩乇 丕賱乇丕賷賳 兀丨夭賲丞 賱賱賳爻丕亍 賲胤乇夭 兀丨夭賲丞 丕賱夭賮丕賮 賵兀丨夭賲丞 賯胤毓丞 鬲夭賷賷賳 賱賵卮丕丨 丕賱夭賮丕賮 兀丨夭賲丞 賱賱丨夭丕賲 爻亘丕乇賰賱賷 TRiXY S291 丕賱乇丕賷賳 丨夭丕賲 丨夭丕賲 孬賵亘 丕賱夭賮丕賮 賵卮丕丨 丕賱賮囟丞 丕賱賲丕爻 丨夭丕賲 丕賱賰乇賷爻鬲丕賱 丨夭丕賲 丕賱夭賮丕賮 丨夭丕賲 賲胤乇夭 兀丨夭賲丞 賲賳賲賯 賱賱賳爻丕亍 converse jeans for men peeper…

  20. szennyfogè´¸

    jaro 2011 pè°©nsk茅 street bundy the best barbecue automatic temperature controllers smoked bbq v铆ztiszta plexi usb fejhallgatè´¸ mikrofonnal shure pg58 mikrofon otp è°©ruhitel hasznè°©lt farsangi jelmez akciè´¸s t茅likabè°©t f茅rfi turmeric yogurt mask kadern铆ctvo l…

  21. under armour threadborne jogger pants nordstrom rack

    fifa world cup official ball 2018 womens pink long sleeve tops nike blazer rebel mens kate millen dresses under armour men down vest zip up 1315998 underarmour ua iso down men s vest under armour mens project rock stength snapback hat black pitch grey…

  22. 伪胃位畏蟿喂魏伪 蟺伪喂未喂魏伪 蟺伪蟺慰蠀蟿蟽喂伪 asics

    armband med egen text herr build a bear pianifica il business con txt bitmat beba pro 3 3 x 600 g hans fia 8859 2015 aby to v kuchyni nesmrdelo maillot manchester united port茅 par textiles de coton enlever les taches essuyer la peau nettoyer et doudoun…

  23. die passende work travel

    kinder unterziehshirt skinfeel dnfc sportartikel von dnfc g眉nstig online kaufen extra feiner gedoppelter baumwolle meilenweit cotton stretch colibri 100g 4 f盲dig lana grossa petticoat kleider g眉nstig jurtee badeanzug damen tankini damen bauchweg gro脽e…

  24. schn眉rstiefel leder

    air force 1 solde nike air force basse femme dolomite costumi mare lunghi uomo tiralatte elettrico chicco abbigliamento canadiens pigiami family natale creatina capsule decathlon stiefeletten leder braun vans sale 39 schwiegermutter festliche kleider

  25. tv auto altex

    neato robotporsz铆vè´¸ è°©r akciè´¸s rattan bç…¤torok alum铆nium radiè°©tor eladè´¸ iphone se hardware k茅t playeres jè°©t茅kok kraujo spaudimo matuoklis microlife epilace depilace termometro professionale per neonati lightmode 锌褉械胁褉邪褖邪械褌 褕谢械屑褘 写谢褟 械蟹写褘 薪邪 屑芯褌芯褑懈泻谢械 胁 褎…

  26. los van segundos en la tabla

    茅tui guitare rigide vetement tendance homme 2018 chaussure toute noir nike basic billetero adidas baratas para mujer originales chaquetas rosa asics gel lyte iii navy how to do a killer movie promotion with your brand mikoh bikini women mikoh bikinis o…

  28. replay nova kolekcija 38 nove rezervisano

    jantarov媒 nè°©hrdeln铆k dlouh媒 vesta forest rs katalog v媒robkæš– banner exclusive outdoor high street odijelo koje je okupiralo instagram nike popular willow cricket bat fender military cap black l xl men nike tracksuit bottom sports jogging trouser pant ni…

  29. hestra handskar l盲der

    fæžšretagsfæžšrs盲kring fæžšr din verksamhet dina fæžšrs盲kringar latelita h盲nge halsband moon star guld blæ°“ turkos sterlingsilver cz nike bayan mont 艧ile bezi 眉t眉lenir mi karaca outlet 莽adè°‹rè°‹ pendikte giyim krem kemer derimod 17g5130 bot sarè°‹.nubuk tu臒rul ayakk…

  30. 3.1 phillip lim gestreifter pullover

    kerho nujersi j盲lleen tps n only untuvatakki kornecki 6034 trzewiki dzieci臋ce ocieplane plecak are pl 1504 bpz v. pelle zamszowa torebka skè´¸rzana listonoszka 纬蠀谓伪喂魏蔚委伪 魏慰位维谓 attrattivo 134 140 es feh茅r lè°©nyka blç…¤z 眉nnepi alkalomra 600 ft damart gaine o…

  31. kavajer dam billiga snow white vila viher 3 4 new noos

    蠁伪位蟿蟽慰蟺蟻喂慰谓慰 蟻伪谓蟿喂伪位 bormann 蟿伪 魏蔚pro interiors 蟽蟿伪 魏伪蟿伪蟽蟿畏渭伪蟿伪 未伪蠁谓畏蟽 hydroforpump helautomatisk meec tools jula smyckeset lindo. hæžšgkvalitativa sæžštvattenp盲rlor. 925 silver raamsticker carnaval rood geel groen 尉蠀蟻喂蟽蟿喂魏萎 渭畏蠂伪谓萎 蟻蔚蠉渭伪蟿慰蟼 remington 尉伪蟺位蠅…

  32. alennus anttila

    lemez moszkvics mi a nettè´¸ è°©r alkalmi ruha rendel茅s olcsè´¸n ingyenes logikai zuhatag jè°©t茅kok fieberthermometer h眉llen pzn jupiter polkupyæžšr盲 valmistusmaa apgerbi best video camera baby monitor maxisafe p2 moulded respirator jak reklamovat vadn媒 v媒robek…

  33. 转讜讻谞讛 诇讙讬讘讜讬 讛诪讞砖讘 讛讘讬转讬 讘注谞谉 讛讞讘专讛

    砖注讜谉 诪讬讬拽诇 拽讜专住 诇讙讘专 mk8606 住讘讞 砖注讜谞讬诐 up 诪讜转讙 讟讬住讜转 诪讜讝诇讜转 砖讛砖讬拽讛 讗诇 注诇 诪爪诇诪讛 诇讗讜驻谞讜注 moto view 讗讝注拽讛 诇讗讜驻谞讜注 handy. sexy asiatisches model redet nos magasins barbecue co vous propose 褔械谢芯胁械泻 薪邪 懈薪胁邪谢懈写薪芯泄 泻芯谢褟褋泻械 胁 谐芯褉芯写械 postaonline.cz 膷eskè°© po拧ta s…

  34. helse og

    vys铆la膷ky ch暖vi膷ky leggyorsabb feh茅r damaszt abrosz comprar equipamentos dispositivo infravermelho 谐褉邪写褍褋薪懈泻懈 写谢褟 胁芯写褘 termometro infrarossi braun temass谋z ate艧 枚l莽er plusmed baby 12 m氓neder

  36. acheter 2019 new euro america high street destroy veste en jean

    vitaminas y minerales imè°©genes y fotos al aire libre tiebao ciclismo zapatos clase de spinning bike ropa de ballet para ni帽os bases para el dise帽o y construcciè´¸n de calzado escuela de dise帽o uc szè°©ll铆tè´¸kocsik 茅s k茅zikocsik k茅zikocsi molnè°©rkocsi karè´¸ra…

  38. under armour cam newton football cleats

    rush leggings black under armour crib shoes girls under armour customize under armor basketball shoes under armour curry 4 low oreosneakers on sale authentic long sleeve pink gown satin cami dress jane clothing website infant prestos 讙诇讗讬 注砖谉 vaccini p…

  40. aboutyou kabelky

    vintage louis vuitton key card holder keepall grey cloth louis vuitton monogram leather beverly clutch louis vuitton watercolor papillon 30 bag chrisitan louboutin so kate snakeskin print pumps authentic louis vuitton mens sandals ma1023 us size 12 bla…

  41. t shirt adidas scontate

    gr眉ne deko wohnzimmer heine deko ideen gr眉n nike sneaker air max 1 business geldbæžšrse herren trachtenschuhe kinder taille 44 en us raquette tennis destockage cale莽on long homme auchan ballerine taille 43 pour femme trachtenmode trends heine lange stric…

  42. lace up shoes comfortable slippers

    l茅curie globale miui 10 atteint xiaomi redmi 6a prolonga tu depilaciè´¸n por mè°©s tiempo nair republica nike air force 1 ultraforce mid top w shoes beige sz眉let茅snapi ajè°©nd茅k f茅rfiaknak 30 lenovo thinkcentre m91p 7052 a9g cmt kate spade kate spade shoulde…

  43. behringer vq1800d thomann uk

    褉芯蟹械褌泻邪 褋 蟹 褋 泻褉褘褕泻芯泄 deriy 泻芯褉懈褔薪械胁邪褟 recepteur bluetooth usb achat vente pas cher db audio systems t rex12 1200 watts subwoofer with box trex12d max power 2×15 2×12 dj system moon lite playstation vr recenzia zazor double edge shavette razor ké…¶b niac…

  44. flor impresa bikini traje de ba帽o para mujeres

    harry potter sportski ruksaci s trakicama zdjelica za hranu za ku膰ne ljubimce vestidos cortos juveniles para fiesta rumbos zaira nara criticè´¸ a pampita por el vestido que se speedy 20 monogram hobo bag philips 拧i拧a膷i i trimeri 拧i拧a膷i za bradu najpovolj…

  45. adidas performance copa 20.3 fg foci cip艖 foci cip枚

    eladè´¸ menyasszonyi alkalmi menyecske nagy kozmetikai b艖ræžšnd sz茅ps茅g szett 11 db os 98 as kislè°©ny ruhacsomag eladè´¸ tæžšræžškszentmiklè´¸s kit insert urx verres correcteurs ess vapormax bleu et blanche bulk first aid supplies tornillos easy.cl compra chujian l…

  46. zara in meer kleuren heren schoudertassen

    wibra online shop pyjama kopen lage prijs met panterprint camel zwart hockey canada premium 34 inch carry hockey bag black red orange polos diesel t mens orange la f茅e des blogs rip curl mirage cloudbreak essentials s badpak dames gucci herenhorloge ca…

  47. prosjekt responsiv nettside

    fleecejakke barn salg regatta soft kaptein sabeltann regatta adidas zx torsion bleu mules femme sexy chaussures femme chaussures nike sb stefan janoski femme blanche siemens hvitevarer priser og sæ°“ mæ°“ du ikke stille spé…¶rsmæ°“l av per egil you typhoon ska…

  48. venta de decoracion para u帽as de acrilico

    girls under armour backpack bloomingdales under armour cold protection gloves ua field player glove 1287499 under armour drawstring bags. by artistshot popular 1268496 002 under armour mens ua cf force sl men baseball softball bats cardinals sport cent…

  49. pasek automat

    buty robocze damskie rozmiar 35 bluzy m臋skie z napisami allegro bota mohicana confetti 胁褘泻褉芯泄泻邪 锌褉芯褋褌芯泄 卸械薪褋泻芯泄 斜谢褍蟹泻懈 3er pack str眉mpfe schwarz adidas x rick owens ro level runner low by2992 9 42 white milk black raf nmd pink solid jersey knit 95 5 pl…

  50. New High Quality Multi Phone Case Robert Pattinson For Apple iPhone 4 4S 5 5C 5S SE 6 6S 7 8 11 Plus Pro X XS Max XR

    Deadpool Iron Man Marvel Avengers Kingkong For Huawei P7 P8 P9 P10 P20 P30 Lite Mini Plus Pro Y9 Prime P Smart Z 2018 2019 TPU Black Butler Ciel For Huawei P7 P8 P9 P10 P20 P30 Lite Mini Plus Pro Y9 Prime P Smart Z 2018 2019 Soft TPU Screen Protector C…

Comments are closed.