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.

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....

The '80s:

1980

Fearing association with its theme, Mercury Records refuses to release Frank Zappa's single "I Don't Wanna Get Drafted."

A representative of the New York State Division of Substance Abuse Services suggests enforcing a tax on musicians whose songs promote drug use.

In October, Youth Minister Art Diaz organizes a group of local teenagers who conduct a record burning at the First Assembly Church of God in Des Moines, Iowa, including albums by the Beatles, Ravi Shankar, Peter Frampton, and the soundtrack to the movie Grease. A similar burning takes place a few months later in Keoku, Iowa, where a church group burns the work of The Carpenters, John Denver, and Perry Como.

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