AfterMath
Following the trial, the RIAA and the PMRC created the "Parental Advisory Explicit Content" label. These label, generic non-categorized stickers, are placed on the cover of an album or CD to alert the consumer of its contents. Despite trying to detract from this music, the pull away only attracted more people. One radio DJ that testified at the hearing, Cerphe Colwell, claimed that this hearing helped begin the popularity of heavy metal. It seems quite evident that the warning label has not kept people from buying explicit songs. The women of the PMRC continue to be proud of the work they put in to helping keep young children away from harmful music. Musicians, on the other hand, hated this label at first, but as of today do not pay much attention, similarly to the customers. Frank Zappa's next album following the trial was given a warning label, even though it was all instrumental. Several artists have publicly stated that they dislike the label but there is not much they can do to have it changed now that it has been over thirty years. In the end, it is hard to determine whether or not the PMRC was successful in this trial. They did have a major win with the creation of the label, however, their rating system and outright ban of the music never came to fruition. It is clear that the label has been helpful in. at minimum, showing music with explicit content. It has caused many young people to then desire the "forbidden music" and sales have generally increased for music with the label. Overall, the PMRC, despite not meeting their ultimate goals, was successful at bringing the nation's attention to the issues surrounding this music and created a simple but effective warning system for parents and young children.