06/13/2026
Who remembers this?
In 1985, the Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC) launched a campaign against what it considered inappropriate music. Led by Tipper Gore and other Washington insiders, the group created the infamous âFilthy Fifteenâ listâ15 songs they claimed promoted s*x, violence, drug use, the occult, or other objectionable themes.
Artists on the list included Prince, Judas Priest, MĂśtley CrĂźe, Twisted Sister, and Venom. The controversy led to U.S. Senate hearings where musicians including Dee Snider, Frank Zappa, and John Denver testified against censorship.
The PMRC never succeeded in banning music, but its campaign resulted in the now-famous âParental Advisory: Explicit Lyricsâ label that still appears on albums and digital releases today.
đ¸ Fun fact: The PMRC's efforts often had the opposite effectâmany young music fans bought albums specifically because they carried the Parental Advisory sticker!
