Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/3/84; site aluxe.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!aluxe!jmd From: jmd@aluxe.UUCP (Joseph M. Dakes, AT&T Bell Labs, Reading, Pa.) Newsgroups: net.music Subject: HEAVY METAL (DAZE) Message-ID: <558@aluxe.UUCP> Date: Fri, 14-Dec-84 10:14:20 EST Article-I.D.: aluxe.558 Posted: Fri Dec 14 10:14:20 1984 Date-Received: Sat, 15-Dec-84 00:52:48 EST Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Allentown, PA Lines: 45 For you headbangers out there who are interested in the derivation of the term "Heavy Metal", the following article appeared in the September 1984 issue of Musician Magazine. It is, of course, printed without permission. The term "Heavy Metal" was first used to describe the style of pop music played by Lester Bangs in Creem. His inspiration was Steppenwolf's "Born to be Wild" which contains the phrase "Heavy Metal Thunder." The etymology of "Heavy Metal" is less certain. The Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock credits William Burroughs for corning the term in his novel "Naked Lunch;" however, scientists used the same label to designate certain radioactive isotopes well before that. Mostly, "Heavy Metal" seems to be a matter of attitude, stressing underdog loyalty, communal pride and cathartic aggression within a culturally conservative perspective. Most stylistic developments have been related to notions of intensity. Ten years ago, intensity was generated by lengthy guitar and drum solos, while today it is mostly a function of rhythm guitar drive and vocal acrobatics. Now that you know the what, when and where's of "Heavy Metal" how about a discussion of the who's. Not "the Who" as in Townsend and Co. but, who is "Heavy Metal." I would not consider the Who to be a heavy metal band but, if you listen to wimpy new wave (i.e. Cindy Lauper, Human League, etc.) you probably would. Led Zeppelin a is good example of a band being labeled as "Heavy Metal" but, listen to "Led Zeppelin I" and you'll hear one of the best rhythm and blues albums of all time. Another example is Van Halen. Edward Van Halen insists Van Halen is a rock n' roll band not a heavy metal band; there's a difference. That difference is a person's musical taste. If you listen to classical, pop music or new wave you could label any rock band as being "Heavy Metal." Therefore, "Heavy Metal" is more of a label rather than a musical category. Are there any headbangers out there in netland? I've only been reading the net for a couple of months and I haven't seen any articles concerning "Heavy Metal" except the one I am responding to. Joseph M. Dakes AT&T Bell Laboratories Reading, PA aluxe!jmd "Play the record backwards again Martha"