Strom Thurmond

Strom Thurmond (December 5, 1902 - June 26, 2003) was an American politician, originally a member of the Democratic Party until 1964, after which he became a Republican Party member. He was governor of South Carolina (1947-1951) and senator for South Carolina (1954-2003).

Thurmond was known for his staunch opposition against civil rights for African-American citizens. He was also one of the longest active US senators of all time, being 101 years old when he eventually passed away. After his death, the surprising revelation was made that Thurmond, despite his racist policies, had an illegitimate black daughter, after an affair with a black maid. Despite keeping his paternity hidden from the public, he secretly supported her, also financially.

During the PMRC hearings, Thurmond's wife, Nancy Thurmond was head of the committee.

Frank Zappa

Frank Zappa mentioned Strom Thurmond in Z-Pack - Letter to the President (1985): "It was a sad day for composers, performers and record retailers when the major labels agreed to the first of PMRC's absurd demands. Why did they agree? The record industry bills (H.R. 3163 and H.R. 2911) regarding tape royalties and piracy must pass through Senator Thurmond's Committee. With Mrs. Thurmond a member of PMRC, the industry was hardly in a position to express their true feelings on the matter. After broad hints of 'legislative strangulation', the major labels attempted a comprise. "Not GOOD enough!" said the Washington Wives, pressing for legislation to control "satanistic or occult content"."

He mentioned him and his wife Nancy again, during Z-Pack - Cashbox guest editorial: "The problem seems to be the Thurmond Committee. This is where the industry's proposed legislation will live or d ie. It is no secret that Mrs. Thurmond is a member of PMRC. What is apparently happening is a case of extortion, pure and simple: THE RIAA MUST TAP DANCE FOR THESE WASHINGTON WIVES OR THE INDUSTRY'S BILL WILL FEEL THE WRATH OF THEIR FAMOUS HUSBANDS."

Zappa again talked about them in Z-Pack - Prepared Statement Of Mr. Zappa and Congress Shall Make No Law (The Track): "The major record labels need to have H.R. 2911 whiz through a few committees before anybody smells a rat. One of them is chaired by Senator Thurmond. Is it a coincidence that Mrs. Thurmond is affiliated with the PMRC? I cannot say she's a member, because the PMRC has no members. Their secretary told me on the phone last Friday that the PMRC has no members . . . only founders. I asked how many other D.C. wives are nonmembers of an organization that raises money by mail, has a tax-exempt status, and seems intent on running the Constitution of the United States through the family paper-shredder. I asked her if it was a cult. Finally, she said she couldn't give me an answer and that she had to call their lawyer."

External links

• Wikipedia:Strom Thurmond