Rock Music's Devilish Four Step Plan (Jacob Aranza)

Christian minister Jacob Aranza wrote a couple of books in the mid-1980s, Backward Masking Unmasked (1983) and More Rock, Country & Backward Masking Unmasked (1985), that provide less on backmasking than their titles promise – both books combined contain only a few pages on the subject of reversed sounds on records. The rest consists of criticism of the music and lifestyles of popular musicians, and Aranza casts a wide net. Even an innocuous duo like the Captain and Tennille are condemned for having an interest in, among other things, ecology and “vegetarian diets” (Backward Masking Unmasked, 77). Get thee behind me, Salad.

It is in his second book that we come across a story of an unidentified manager of a rock band who brags to an unidentified youth evangelist about the music industry’s long-range plan to turn kids on to Satan. Their unholy scheme will culminate with rock gods “raising people up out of wheelchairs and performing the supernatural during concerts.” From the vantage point of 2019, it is apparent that this so-called “Four Step Plan” is way behind schedule; in fact, it may have been subverted by the rise of rap music and society’s regrettable rejection of guitar solos as a legitimate method of achieving transcendence. Harrumph!

Jacob Aranza, More Rock, Country & Backward Masking Unmasked (Shreveport: Huntington House, 1985), 21-3.

Recently, one of America's most popular youth evangelists was on a plane flying to a crusade. Everything seemed as though it would be a typical flight. Little did he know today he would peek into Satan's agenda for the music world. As the plane became airborne, he began to talk with the man seated beside him.

After the normal small talk, the evangelist asked the gentleman in what business he was involved. To his surprise, the man was the manager of one of the largest rock groups in the world. The evangelist then asked, “What's next in the rock music world?”

As the manager of the rock group began to talk, the evangelist was shocked by his knowledge, not only about rock music, but also about the sales and the marketing industry. The man proceeded to tell him about the Four Step Plan taking place in rock music. This is what I call “Satan’s Agenda” for the music world.

He explained that each phase or step in this agenda appealed to a different side of the human personality. He said that Step One began in 1955, at the birth of rock music and lasted until 1965. This step was intended to push sex through music. Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry and Gene Vincent helped to accomplish this through their sex appeal. This promotion of sex, from 1955-1965, brought on the sexual revolution and the free love generation. Young people across America, and around the world, threw away their moral standards so they could both listen to this music and experience it. This was to open the door for Step Two which began in 1965.

Step Two was to run from 1965-1970. He said that this phase was meant to arouse the spirit of young people towards drugs, rebellion, and anti-establishment movements. Protests began to develop on campuses across the nation. A rejection of all traditional values evolved, and an arousal of the spirit world through the supernatural began.

Many remember groups like the Beatles turning to gurus and Eastern religions. This spiritual awakening through music gave way to millions turning to cults, like the Children of God, Hare Krishna, Ma Jura Ja Gi and many others.

Step Three, he continued, began in 1970 and has run through part of the ‘80s. In this step, the quality of music isn't important, but that it has an addicting sound caused by loud and violent tones.

He went on to say, “We're just like any other business. How does a business sell cosmetics, clothes or cars? They all have what is called a motivational trigger. You touch someone's hot button and they buy. In rock music we have been looking for the ultimate hot button for years, and we believe we have finally found it!” He explained this to be part of Step Four.

Step Four will begin during the ‘80s. “We have found,” he said, “that the greatest commitment anyone makes is a religious one. That would be the greatest motivator to get people to buy rock records. So, beginning in the ‘80s, we are going to have religious services in our concerts. We are going to pronounce ourselves (rock stars) as messiahs, making intimate acquaintances and covenants with Satan. We’ll be praying for the sick, raising people up out of wheelchairs and performing the supernatural during concerts. We are going to be worshipped!”