The Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC), formed by several political wives including Tipper Gore, aimed to address concerns about explicit content in popular music. On this day, they held congressional hearings in Washington, D.C., where musicians such as Frank Zappa and John Denver were invited to provide testimony. The PMRC sought to create a rating system for recorded music, akin to movie ratings, to alert consumers about explicit contents. They argued that certain lyrics contained messages harmful to young audiences and contributed to societal issues like drug use and promiscuity. During the hearings, Frank Zappa passionately defended artistic freedom, arguing that censorship could lead to a slippery slope of increased control over expression. John Denver, advocating for the right of musicians to express themselves, also contributed meaningful points about the power of music. These hearings were broadcasted, reaching a wide audience and escalating the public discourse on censorship, artistic expression, and the influence of media on society.