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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"