Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, June 14, 1990 TAG: 9006180180
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: NEW YORK LENGTH: Medium
Luther Campbell, the front man for the Florida band, first went on the offensive during a taping of the "Geraldo" show. The rapper cursed at the sheriff who arrested him and questioned the credentials of the sheriff's legal adviser.
"He hasn't given more to the black community than I have," Campbell said of the adviser, then ripped into Broward County Sheriff Nick Navarro, who was also on the show.
He then headed from the Times Square taping to Rockefeller Center for a live bit on the syndicated "Donahue" show, where he was joined by previously censored performers Jello Biafra and Wendy O. Williams.
"I'm a little sick of the system," said Williams, who once wore only electrical tape above her waist at a show. "What are we going to do next? What's Luther going to do next? What's Jello going to do?"
Campbell kept it clean for "Donahue," although Bob DeMoss - director of the conservative Focus on Family - stunned Phil with an expletive that was heard in some markets where the show is broadcast live.
"I'd like to keep this job," Donahue said in asking his guests to calm down. DeMoss, sitting sheepishly, later apologized.
The two TV appearances should keep fueling sales of "As Nasty As They Wanna Be," which are fast approaching the 2 million mark. A federal judge in Florida last week declared the album obscene. His jurisdiction is limited to three south Florida counties. San Antonio store owners pulled the record from shelves this week after they were threatened with arrest.
Campbell and two other members of the band were arrested Sunday following a live show at a Florida club. While the judge has called the Crew's album obscene, Campbell and his supporters claim First Amendment protection and suggest they are victims of racism.
"A white man can say anything. How about Dice Clay?" Campbell asked of comedian Andrew Dice Clay, whose material has been criticized for slurs against women and gays.
***CORRECTION***
Published correction ran on June 15, 1990\ An Associated Press article June 13 about the appearance of the rap music group 2 Live Crew on Phil Donahue's television show did not fully explain the circumstances of another guest's use of an obscenity on the show. The article said guest Bob DeMoss, director of the conservative Focus on Family, "stunned Phil with an expletive" during the discussion. It did not explain that DeMoss was quoting lyrics of a 2 Live Crew song.
Memo: CORRECTION