A Golden Oldie: “Hidden and Satanic Messages in Rock Music” Radio Broadcast from 1981

There was a time in the late 70s and early 80s when hardcore religious types were convinced that rock music–evil to begin with–was even more evil that the public realized. Man crusaders devoted years to warning people about the secret messages, subliminal exhortations and incantations recorded backwards on songs and albums that were designed with just one purpose: to corrupt the morals of the young and thereby enlist them into the service of Satan.

Most of this was bullshit, of course, but there were acts that recorded backwards messages on their records (cf. ELO’s “Fire on High,”) just for fun. But hours winding records backwards on turntables caused these whacko preachers heard things that just weren’t there. They heard what they wanted to hear–and lo, they were terrified.

Michael Mills was filled with all kinds of righteousness and set out to prove that the Beatles, Zeppelin, Judas Priest, Black Sabbath and others were all out to STEAL YOUR CHILDREN’S SOULS with their nefarious Beelzebub-inspired music. Please enjoy. (Via Boing Boing)