1970

A group known as the Movement to Restore Democracy calls for the banning of rock music to end the spread of Socialism in America.

MCA Records drops 18 acts from their record label because they believe the performers promote hard drugs in their songs.

Under the direction of President Richard Nixon, Vice President Spiro Agnew ignites widespread interest in censoring popular music by making statements concerning drug imagery in rock music.

Claiming that he fears the song "Ohio" will incite further violence on college campuses following the killing of four students at Kent State University, Governor James Rhodes attempts to order Ohio radio stations to ban the song.

Concerns over drugs and rioting cause a wave of protests of large rock festivals. Citizen groups in Chicago, Houston, Tucson, and Atlanta rally to cancel large, outdoor rock festivals in their cities.

Country Joe McDonald is fined $500 for uttering an obscenity during a concert performance of his song "I Feel Like I'm Fixin' To Die Rag."

Janis Joplin is fined $200 for violating local profanity and obscenity laws for her performance after a concert in Tampa, Florida.

1971

Several radio stations alter the John Lennon song "Working Class Hero" without the consent of Lennon or his record label.

Radio stations across the U.S. ban Bob Dylan's single "George Jackson" over concerns about the song's political theme and the word "shit" in its lyrics.

In May, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) sends all radio stations telegrams threatening their licenses for playing rock music that glorified drugs.

In April, the Illinois Crime Commission publishes a list of popular rock songs that contain drug references, including Peter, Paul and Mary's "Puff The Magic Dragon" and the Beatles' "Yellow Submarine."

Chrysalis Records changes the lyrics to Jethro Tull's "Locomotive Breath" without the band's knowledge or consent. Label executives fear radio stations will not play the original, which contains the lyric "got him by the balls."

1972

In January, the Senate Internal Security Subcommittee issues a report on John Lennon and Yoko Ono, advocating the termination of Lennon's visa to live in the U.S. The report calls the couple "strong advocates of the program to 'dump Nixon'."

After Indiana Attorney General Theodore Sendak calls rock festivals "drug supermarkets," Hoosier legislators adopt legislation meant to "get tough" on large rock concerts. In the process, the regulation accidentally outlaws the Indianapolis 500 and other large outdoor gatherings

John Lennon's song "Woman is the Nigger of the World" is banned by radio stations across the country.

Radio stations across the country ban John Denver's hit song "Rocky Mountain High," fearing that the song's "high" refers to drugs.

1973

Curtis Mayfield's "Pusherman" is edited without his knowledge for a live appearance on American Bandstand.

Record company execs alter the cover of Mama Lion’s Preserve Wildlife after concerns over the album’s original cover photograph. The original image showed group singer Lynn Carey nursing a lion cub. 

Atlantic Records decides to change the title and lyrics of the Rolling Stones' "Starfucker" in order to avoid protests.

New York Senator James Buckley writes a report linking rock music to drug use. He calls for the record industry to eliminate drug-using or drug-endorsing rock musicians before the federal government feels it necessary to take action.

1974

Richfield, Ohio, zoning commissioner Richard Crofoot attempts to ban all concerts at the Richfield Coliseum after witnessing marijuana use at an Elton John concert.

1975

Radio stations across the country refuse to play Loretta Lynn's "The Pill" because of its references to birth control.

In November, Reverend Charles Boykin of Tallahassee, Florida, blames popular music for teenage pregnancy. Boykin conducts his own survey of 1,000 unwed mothers and determines that 984 became pregnant while listening to rock music.

1976

A billboard advertisement for the Rolling Stones' Black and Blue LP (featuring a photo of a battered woman) triggers protests again Time-Warner by women's groups.

The RKO radio chain refuses to play Rod Stewart's hit "Tonight's The Night" until the lyric "spread your wings and let me come inside" is edited from the song.

1977

The Reverend Jesse Jackson calls for bans against disco music, insisting the music promotes promiscuity and drug use.

1978

British punk band the Sex Pistols are initially denied visas to enter the U.S.A. for their first American tour.

1979

Frank Zappa's song "Jewish Princess" sparks vocal protests to the FCC from the B'nai B'rith Anti-Defamation League.

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