What was the Parents Music Resource Center and what did it do?

The Parents Music Resource Center was formed by politicians' wives concerned about music content, leading to voluntary warning stickers on albums.

Which songs faced bans in the 1980s and what was the impact?

Songs like Prince's 'Darling Nikki' and Frankie Goes to Hollywood's 'Relax' were banned, but this often resulted in increased sales and airplay.

How did artists like Iron Maiden and Madonna handle 1980s censorship?

Iron Maiden faced accusations of Satanism, while Madonna's 'Like a Prayer' video caused a major controversy, though both navigated these challenges.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / Banned in the 80s: How Controversy Fueled Music Sales

Banned in the 80s: How Controversy Fueled Music Sales

27 Apr

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Summary

Parents Music Resource Center formed, leading to album warning stickers.
Prince's 'Darling Nikki' and Frankie Goes to Hollywood's 'Relax' faced bans.
Iron Maiden and Madonna also faced backlash for controversial lyrics/videos.

Banned in the 80s: How Controversy Fueled Music Sales

The 1980s marked a significant period for music censorship in the United States, largely driven by the formation of the Parents Music Resource Center. This group, founded by concerned politicians' wives, successfully lobbied for warning labels on albums deemed explicit, leading to high-profile Senate hearings.

Key controversies involved Prince's 'Darling Nikki,' which triggered the 'Filthy 15' list and eventual voluntary warning stickers. Frankie Goes to Hollywood's 'Relax' was banned by the BBC, yet soared to number one on the UK charts. Iron Maiden faced accusations of Satanism for their album 'The Number of the Beast,' resulting in protests and album burnings.