Frank Zappa

[ballyhoo]

Frank Vincent Zappa
born December 21st 1940, Baltimore MD - died December 4th 1993, Los Angeles CA

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Zappa

"I never set out to be weird. It was always other people who called me weird." FZ



a thread dedicated to the late great Frank Zappa. and why not? I know there are
many of my fellow VEF members who appreciate the man's music, and his often
outspoken views on many things, good or bad. sometimes giving us great quotes.

starting with 'The Mothers of Invention' debut album "Freak Out" (1966) all the way
through to "Civilization Phaze III" (1994), the guy covered every genre of music on
the planet. he was sometimes over the top, that's for sure. but he did it all his way,
and no other way. the musical compositions and arrangements, the great musicians
in his many touring / studio bands, and the sheer volume of his catalog, proved he
had a style all his own. and he is still the most underrated artist of all time, imo.





hopefully this thread will be a place to share opinions, favorite albums or best bands,
FZ quotes, youtube clips, LP artwork, personal concert stories, etc. all things Zappa!

[ballyhoo]

lady Gaga now lives in Frank's old Laurel Canyon house/studio.

http://www.tmz.com/2016/09/22/lady-g...nk-zappa-home/

as if she wasn't already my favorite over-rated pop diva...

[old alal]

Why does it hurt when I pee?

Wierd yes, but musically, IMHO a genious.

[Decadence]

Originally Posted by old alal

Why does it hurt when I pee?

...you got it from the toilet seat... it jumped right up, and grabbed your meat.



My one and only time seeing FZ live was at the Uptown Theater in Chicago. As I recall, I'd just started undergraduate school so it was probably fall, 1977. It was a smaller venue, likely held no more than about 4000 people. Intimate, smoky, and a departure from the stadium shows which were becoming the norm.

Great show, Frank never disappoints and Terry Bozzio is an absolute madman on the skins.

[blondifan]

Been 'a fan' since I first heard "Camarillo Brillo" at around age 14, when "Overnight Sensation" was the latest and purchased by a friends older brother. (That'll contain clues to my vintage )
The first album I purchased was "the Grand Wazoo" although it took years to appreciate the comic genius in what was mostly an instrumental album.

I still have to track down 'the Petite Wazoo' and so many others, although I have a large collection, including at least six DVD's. My personal favourite DVD is "Does Humour Belong In Music", being partial to the Scott Thunes/Chad Wackerman rhythm section, although they were all good, of course.

[ballyhoo]

Originally Posted by Decadence

My one and only time seeing FZ live was at the Uptown Theater in Chicago. As I recall, I'd just started undergraduate school so it was probably fall, 1977....

I'm jealous. that would've been a particularly good year to see him/them.

....Great show, Frank never disappoints and Terry Bozzio is an absolute madman on the skins.

sadly, I never saw Frank live. but I did see the first leg of the 'Zappa plays Zappa' tour.
the special guests, and former FZ band members, were; Napoleon Murphy Brock, Steve
Vai, and Terry Bozzoio. I agree 100% about Bozzio being a madman. he had a massive
drum kit with tons of cymbals. it probably took 2 hours just to set it up.

Originally Posted by blondifan

....The first album I purchased was "the Grand Wazoo" although it took years to appreciate the comic genius in what was mostly an instrumental album.

like many of his albums, at first I couldn't begin to grasp what was going on musically.

...My personal favourite is "Does Humour Belong In Music", being partial to the Scott Thunes/Chad Wackerman rhythm section....

agreed! I only wish Wackerman had steered clear of the electronic drums more.

[TLN]

I saw him twice at the Hammersmith Odeon but I really can't remember when. They were some years apart and the first was in the late 70s. The second was around '82 and as I recall was a matinee performance.
My daughter was conceived in the ladies toilets after the show. Who said romance was dead?

[Dvder]

I'd heartily recommend searching out the Zappa plays Zappa sets by son Dweezil Zappa, as the more modern production values help make Frank's music more accessible, IMHO. Helped greatly by some of Frank's original artists in the band.

The torrent files I have date from 2015 and span 2 DVDs in VOB format. They're certainly better quality-wise than late '80s video I have from his Steve Vai (Black Napkins) period. And Dweezil ain't no slouch when it comes to complex guitar pickin' neither. I think Frank would be rather proud of his son's efforts.

[Decadence]

Originally Posted by ballyhoo

I agree 100% about Bozzio being a madman. he had a massive
drum kit with tons of cymbals. it probably took 2 hours just to set it up.

As I recall he played a "simple" double bass kit in those days.. much like Bill Ward or Nick Mason used. Nothing like the massive rig he uses today:

Originally Posted by ballyhoo

maybe he didn't watch porn, but he certainly was a fan of "devices".

Yes.. like "shrink tubing with a hair dryer" or "wrist locks, crisco"


I was probably most proud to be an FZ fan when he blasted the PMRC and the Senate Commerce Committee over the labeling of, and potential censoring of music. This came up in another thread recently, but you may recall Tipper Gore's group that had their knickers in a knot over what music, and lyrics, had become.. and took it on themselves to be crusaders over what America should be listening to.

Ever mindful of intrusive government, FZ, along with Dee Snider and John Denver put these people away. During the testimony, you can hear the gallery laughing and agreeing with his message. I loved the part where he explains to Sen. Al Gore the role of parents vs. government.

From 1985, the You Tube video of his testimony. It's about 30 minutes and it'll make you an even bigger fan.

As a side note: Not long after his appearance before the Senate Committee, FZ released his "Jazz From Hell" album. Amazingly (or not), it garnered one of the PMRC's warning labels about explicit lyrics.. even though there was not a spoken word on the entire album.

[ballyhoo]

Originally Posted by Decadence

...like "shrink tubing with a hair dryer" or "wrist locks, crisco"

101 perverted things to do with a Mud Shark!

I was probably most proud to be an FZ fan when he blasted the PMRC and the Senate Commerce Committee over the labeling of, and potential censoring of music... Tipper Gore's group...

Frank called them "the Washington wives", and other things I'll bet.

Ever mindful of intrusive government, FZ, along with Dee Snider and John Denver put these people away...

quite the group defending freedom of speech! after those hearings, Frank returned to the
studio and gave us "FZ Meets the Mothers of Prevention", with his own Warning sticker.



the song Porn Wars includes audio outakes from the hearings, and slams censorship.

...FZ released his "Jazz From Hell" album. Amazingly (or not), it garnered one of the PMRC's warning labels about explicit lyrics.. even though there was not a spoken word on the entire album.

crazy! but it also won a Grammy for "Best Rock Instrumental Performance".
anyway, I think the warning label was issued for having the word "Hell" in the
album title, and it probably had something to do with the song G-Spot Tornado.