Listen up, Herd. If you think rock 'n' roll is just about loud guitars and leather jackets, you're missing the point. It's about defiance. It’s about looking authority dead in the eye and laughing. Today, Fake News Friday is diving into the history of heavy metal censorship and the legends who fought back with a middle finger and a smile.
Ozzy Osbourne and the Bat Head Incident
Technically, it wasn't a political statement, but Ozzy biting the head off a bat in Des Moines, Iowa, became the ultimate symbol of heavy metal rebellion. The establishment clutch their pearls, screaming about Satanism and corruption. Ozzy? He just shrugged, got his rabies shots, and kept touring. It proved that metal couldn't be tamed by polite society's rules.
Dee Snider Destroys the PMRC in the Senate
In 1985, the PMRC tried to censor music they deemed offensive. They expected a dumb rocker when Twisted Sister's Dee Snider walked into the Senate hearing. Instead, they got a masterclass in articulation. Snider dismantled their arguments one by one, proving that free speech applies to everyone, even guys in makeup and spandex.
Judas Priest on Trial for Subliminal Messages
Imagine being sued because two kids made a tragic decision, and the lawyers blamed your lyrics. Judas Priest faced a courtroom circus in 1990, accused of hiding subliminal commands in their tracks. Rob Halford and the boys stood their ground, exposing the absurdity of the claims. They walked away vindicated, preserving artistic freedom for every band that followed.
Lemmy Kilmister: The Embodiment of "No Compromise"
Lemmy didn't have one specific moment; his entire existence was a middle finger to the establishment. From getting fired by Hawkwind for "doing the wrong drugs" to fronting Motörhead until the very end, he never changed for anyone. He lived the hard rock lifestyle unapologetically, proving that integrity means never selling out, no matter who demands it.
There you have it, Herd. Four times the music we love told the world to back off. These legends didn't just play songs; they lived the philosophy of Fake News Friday every day. So next time someone tells you to tone it down, remember Lemmy. Crank it up, laugh in their face, and keep it real.