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This
Though rock lyrics have come under attack in the past, the PMRC's crusade has
garnered an unusual amount of attention. As Gortikov wrote in a confidential letter
to record companies, "I cannot escape continuing dialogue with the PMRC group,
particularly in view of its Washington links."
The "Washington wives," as they have become known, had met with Edward
Fritts, president of the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), after his wife
attended a lecture given by the group. Fritts acted with urgency, requesting that
forty-five record labels send lyric sheets with new releases to all radio stations to
aid program directors in their choices. He also sent warning letters to 806 station
owners, enclosing the lyrics to "Darling Nikki" and another Prince composition,
Sheena Easton's "Sugar Walls," a song with thinly veiled references to female
arousal.
"What we've got is a group of well-connected parents who are raising this issue to
the level of national public debate," said Fritts. "If the industry does not voluntarily
respond, the PMRC would be prepared and in a position to propose legislation which
would restrain the industry, which we are against."
Since Federal Communications Commission (FCC) guidelines already determine
the acceptability of what may go on the air, many in the broadcasting industry
considered Fritts' actions to be alarmist. As Charlie Kendall, program director of
WNEW-FM in New York, remarked, "We know what the lyrics are to the songs we
play, and I know what my community can take. There is always gonna be an
element that doesn't like rock k roll But as long as I keep it clean and within FCC
guidelines, I say, 'Fuck 'em.' "
The PMRC's primary objective, a standardized record-rating system, similar to the
one instituted in 1968 by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), has
been consistently dismissed by the record companies as impractical and ultimately
ineffective.
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