Peddlers of Hate

Annotation — McGuire's "Eve of Destruction" & Answer Songs

The song "The Protest Singer" (Treva # 222), released on a Hollywood, California label - but no further details known of this artist - took an anti-protest position, mocking musicians who wake up and "look around until I find something that is wrong", and then write a song, which included the major issues of the day: "I sing about Vietnam, ban the bomb, end the war", as well as Civil Rights: "I sing about segregation, integration, demonstration, legislation". It referenced Barry McGuire's "Eve of Destruction", suggesting the protest singers were in it for the money: "I want to make my fortune before destruction's eve, long as people pay, I hope the problems stay". The song also denounced hippie culture, often presented in song as a youth movement, related to psychedelic music, drugs use (e.g. LSD and marijuana), long hair (both men & women), jeans, flairs, pop art, free love (sex, love-in), travelling, spirituality: "can't take my time to comb my hair, shave or take a bath". Also note the reference to the KKK, and the US president Lyndon B. Johnson. Again, the song "The Peddlers of Hate" took an anti-protest position, accusing its participants of being negative: "perhaps they'll…

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

About the artist

American novelty singer, best known for the 1964 monster-novelty recordings with Don Hinson and the Rigamorticians ('Riboflavin-Flavored, Non-Carbonated, Polyunsaturated Blood'); co-wrote and recorded the protest-response 45 'The Protest Singer' / 'Peddlers of Hate' (Star-Burst S-B-126, 1965, reissued on Treva 222, 1966; tipped in Billboard, January 1966), later anthologised on 'Twisted Tales From the Vinyl Wastelands'. [Source: Discogs / 45cat]

Themes

Anti-Protest · Answer to Eve of Destruction

In collections

McGuire's "Eve of Destruction" & Answer Songs · US 'Patriotic' / Pro-Government / Anti-Protest Songs · Civil Rights Songs