FIRST OFF . . .

Despite Sen. Albert Gore’s recent statements to entertainment industry executives that he reluctantly participated in 1985 Senate hearings on rock lyrics, the presidential contender actually took an actively aggressive role, Daily Variety reports. A transcript from the Senate Commerce Committee hearing on Sept. 19, 1985, shows Gore was one of the first to arrive, the most frequent questioner and was the last to leave. Gore also commended a psychiatrist whose testimony implied that a teen-ager gouged out a friend’s eyes, then committed suicide because the youth listened to heavy metal from Black Sabbath and Judas Priest. “I’m delighted to hear your testimony,” Gore reportedly said.