For over 40 years, the specter of the “Satanic Panic” has loomed large over the American cultural psyche, with many claims made about what happened, who were the players involved, and what its lasting impacts on pop culture and politics really were. This episode, we take a peak into the panic, and unpack how racist segregation policies and outrage against the growing popularity of Black musicians and cultural tastemakers were two of the least discussed factors in the panic, as well as two of its most important and relevant elements.

About:

Hosted by journalists Joan Summers and Matthew Lawson, Eating For Free is a weekly podcast that explores gossip and power in the pop culture landscape: Where it comes from, who wields it, and who suffers at the hands of it. Find out the stories behind the stories, as together they look beyond the headlines of troublesome YouTubers or scandal-ridden A-Listers, and delve deep into the inner workings of Hollywood's favorite pastime. The truth, they've found, is definitely stranger than any gossip.

You can also find us on our website, Twitter, and Instagram. Or buy our merch! Any personal, business, or general inquires can be sent to [email protected] 

• Joan Summers: Twitter: @laracroftbarbie
• Matthew Lawson: Twitter: @_matthewlawson

 

Sources:

• LYRICS PANNED : EVANGELIST SEES SATAN IN ROCK ‘N’ ROLL (April 6, 1987) [LA Times]

• Subliminal messages: Between the devil and the media. [APA PsycNet]

• Mr. Ed Theme Conveys Satanic Message, Evangelist Say (April 24, 1986) [AP News]

• The Devil's Music (Aug 23, 1985) [Washington Post]

• Suicides Blamed on Music’s Satanic Spell (March 18, 1988) [Christianity Today]

• THE DEVIL, YOU SAY? NO WAY : AC/DC’s Message: Rebellion, Not Satan Worship (Sep 8, 1985) [LA Times]

• CAN MUSIC CORRUPT? The battle lines are drawn over whether heavy metal's raucous lyrics really endanger teens (Jan 10, 1989) [CS Monitor]

• PEPSI DROPS MADONNA 'PRAYER' ADS (April 4, 1989) [Washington Post]

• It’s Time to Revisit the Satanic Panic [NYT]

• 20/20: The Devil Worshippers [1985] [Youtube]

• Occult Criminal Investigation: Reference Material, Michigan State Police Child Abuse Unit, Criminal Investigation Division (Nov 1988) [GVSU.EDU]

• Witness Of Fire (Dec 3, 1980) [Washington Post]

• Styx calls probe of satanic rock messages rubbish (May 2, 1982) [UPI]

• The Fight to Save America From Satan’s Subliminal Rock Messages [Atlas Obscura]

• PROCTER & GAMBLE FIGHTS SATAN STORY (April, 18, 1985) [NYT]

• SERIOUS ISSUES UNDERLIE A NEW ALBUM FROM STYX [March 27, 1985] [NYT]

• The Real Origins of the Religious Right [Politico]