Ah, Frank, I still listen to his works as often as I get the chance. Being a novice guitar player myself I can't seem to get tired of hearing all the great (often live) variations and improvisation he was able to apply to his music. Whether it's the humorous, satirical stuff or the serious jamming he and his various bands could pull off I find it all enjoyable.
And outside of the music, as the article does a good job of articulating, he had a wonderful way of sizing up the world around him and pointing out, bluntly and succinctly, what he found lacking. Certainly a man ahead of his time both musically and intellectually.
Anyone looking for more good stories about Frank can check out "The Real Frank Zappa" which was basically written by him and then cleaned up and edited by his friend Peter Occhiogrosso. A thoroughly entertaining read...
Yeah, Zappa is not just a counter-cultural icon with a knack for comic and witty lyrics, but he's also a musical genius.
I think there comment by Warren the fan (and future guitarist) in "Intro Rap" opening track on the live "Baby Snakes" album sums it up :
"Tonight though I’ll tell you one thing about these New York crowds.
Some of them, they get too carried away you know because they think Frank Zappa is such a mad man.
You know they come here to see him go crazy or something you know.
They don’t realise there’s, notes are involved you know"
My favorite instrumental Zappa song 'Peaches En Regalia"[0] really captures his style I think for those who haven't heard him. My favorite song of his has to be Montana[1] or Titties and Beer[2] both capture his humor.
Can't really pick a favorite, the entire Hot Rats album is a guitar masterwork. Apostrophe is also a standout track (and album! and double album!) in my mind:
I agree, but I also have to add Muffin Man[0] to the list for those who might know Frank. My two best friends passed away one recently, one a few years ago. In school we bonded over Frank Zappa (I'm 27 by the way). His music will always hold a special place in my heart for me.
Edit: Another reason Frank is my hero, Him and George Carlin are the reason that they put those 'Parental Warning' labels on albums. Here is video of him on crossfire defending his right to free speech[1].
Frank Zappa is one of those individuals that will be discovered in the future and raised to icon status. His insights are just beginning to be understood. Like Phillip K Dick, Aldous Huxley, and Warhol: they saw the effects of the modern marketed and mass produced world better than others, and decades before the rest of us.
I think the thing that still fascinates me about Zappa over all these years was his commitment to DIY principles and standing his ground. You very rarely see other artists with his level of fame doing this nowdays (or really ever). He definitely had some personality flaws as most people do, but I think deep down Zappa saw things he wanted to change about the world and did everything he could to make those changes a reality.
Also the guy was incredibly prolific, let's see anyone else write/record/produce ~62 studio albums of highly complex, original music with a revolving cast of musicians while touring all over the world (and making movies too!) for multiple decades on end. I'm not sure audiences even have the attention span for someone like Zappa anymore.
Not only do I enjoy an extensive collection of his albums, I appreciate the tribute Weird Al did on Poodle Hat, with Zappa's son Dweezil called Genius in France. Yankovic manages to capture so many of those Zappa/Mothers riffs...
And outside of the music, as the article does a good job of articulating, he had a wonderful way of sizing up the world around him and pointing out, bluntly and succinctly, what he found lacking. Certainly a man ahead of his time both musically and intellectually.
Anyone looking for more good stories about Frank can check out "The Real Frank Zappa" which was basically written by him and then cleaned up and edited by his friend Peter Occhiogrosso. A thoroughly entertaining read...
Edit: Here's the "Zappa plays a bicycle on Steve Allen" clip mentioned in the article: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9P2V0_p6vE