Zappa The Musician

Zappa could have been one of the most underrated guitarist and musician for his time. Only die-hard fans could truly understand the motives and the reasoning behind some of his strangest work. With album titles like ``We`re Only in it for the Money`` and ``Uncle Meat`` and tracks called ``I Promise not to Come in your Mouth`` and ``I`m the Slime``, it’s easy for critics to classify Zappa`s music as rubbish. It`s not like Zappa cared less what the critics thought either. If critics or audiences were appalled by Zappa`s musical content, it made him happy. These songs, albums and concepts are directed to those ``normal``, happy-go-lucky people who did not accept change and difference in their life. It`s not like Zappa was willing to change for anyone either. For years to come he would have to deal with controversies either within his band or ones that were politically charged with higher forces of authority. The funny part is those forces and normal people did not realize these songs were mostly about them. Almost every Zappa track has a personal connection. This fuelled Zappa to continue writing music this way.

Zappa also had a passion for the rock concert. It’s not like The Mothers of Invention was your typical three-piece like Cream. They were an army. Zappa knew that fans paid hard-earned money to see a good show and that’s what he gave them every night. He was strict with his musicians on tour because he knew the importance of live music and was fortunate he had such a powerful following that he couldn’t have let down.

As for a guitarist, there are guys like Jeff Beck, Steve Vai and Joe Satriani who are not only considered virtuosos but also considered as some of the best in the world. Zappa had some slick chops when playing guitar and he incorporated many different styles of music through an electric guitar. Long before Vai and Satriani there was no one who could possibly play like him. One could make a strong case for Beck but he was more of a bluesy-rock guitarist much like Jimmy Page and Jimi Hendrix (who were considered by many as the best in the world). I believe it was more of a popularity contest at the time.  Who was playing similar to Zappa at the time? There weren’t many songs in the form of ¾ and they’re weren’t nearly as many arrangements used by anyone the way Zappa used them on his records and live shows. If Frank Zappa was more commercial, we wouldn’t be talking about how Jimi Hendrix or the Beatles were the best artists of all-time. In terms of vision and clarity of how Zappa wanted his music to sound, he should rank up there with Mozart, Beethoven and Bob Dylan as the greatest composers and musicians of all-time.

Zappa The Man: His Legacy and The Emotional Last Interview

It might have taken decades to figure out who Frank Zappa really was (much like Bob Dylan, we might never know either). In his one of his last television appearances on The Today Show in 1993 shortly before his death, Frank Zappa seemed a lot more calm and relaxed. Even though there were more bad days than good, Zappa seemed a little happier. Perhaps for the first time in his historic career, he could relax. He and Gail could also invite friends over to the house to play music together and have conversations (and did it more often that one would expect). The workaholic in Zappa seemed to tire but his passion was still there. It`s tough for someone to go on camera and express how they`re feeling and how they are dealing with their negative issues. Even though it`s obvious he was a little sad, Zappa responded in more of a positive manner to the interviewer`s questions. He urged viewers to get health checkups and contradicted the interviewer when she described him as a legend. For the first time in his life, it seemed as if Zappa was completely normal. Just like everyone else in the world including the politicians he disliked and the ``pom-pom`` girls he criticized, Zappa was like everyone else. He had feelings just like the rest of the world and could be beat by unfortunate health issues that could beat us all. Frank Zappa was a sensitive man and it is blatantly obvious in this interview. He truly did care for the world and his country. He did want to help the people and force change into the things he felt was wrong within our society. He was so passionate about his views and about his social critiques because of his sensitivity and numerous topics frustrated him easily. When asked what Zappa wanted to be remembered for, it`s easy for him to say nothing. Simply because Zappa did not feel like he was supposed to change the world or be remembered as this force larger than life. All he wanted to do was educate the people and speak his mind for being different which should be accepted. Everyone is capable of doing something monumental with their life and should live to achieve their goals; which Zappa did. To be remembered as a legend is somewhat pathetic to Zappa because all he did was live his life the way he wanted to and encouraged others to do the same. Even though we might have seen a softer man in the interview, we also saw a strong human being who created an original vision and a strong person who lived life the way it should be lived: with unlimited choices and no regrets.

Zappa The Composer: Too Advanced For His Time

With inspirations drawing from various composers such as Edgard Varese and Igor Stravinsky, Frank Zappa set a goal to be a musical composer himself. He dipped into classical music further into his career however he could have also been considered a composer and a conductor with his rock music as well. Frank Zappa`s vision was too advanced for his time and this was a good thing. He was the only musician in the 1960`s that wanted to succeed at delivering not only rock tunes, but wanted to explore the musical landscape with every genre he possibly could have. These days it is easier for an artist to release eight albums and they could be vastly different from one another. Take Radiohead for example, releasing an alternative rock album as their first and their latest effort consists of a groovier, electronic record. Back then it was hard to differentiate your music because there was a lot of pressure from record labels and fans. Record labels weren’t too fond of taking risks either.  Also, the times were different and there weren’t many artists who had the liberty of changing and experimenting with different musical styles. Even though it might have been frowned upon, Zappa decided to do his own thing; whatever he wanted to do and he was highly successful in doing so. Perhaps because the old and modern day composer does indeed ``refuse to die`` and also constantly evolves. Zappa`s music evolved and the audience can hear it on every record. Zappa was a rock n’ roll artist however his music could have also been classified as avant-garde, jazz, fusion, metal, experimental, rhythm and blues, classical and at times even pop. Zappa could not have possibly fit in the norm and fit in with bands such as The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. Zappa set the standards high for his original and thought-provoking music and that is why he had such a big impact not only in the music business but as a human being on earth.

Strange Influence

King Crimson. Genesis. Alice Cooper. Marilyn Manson. Mike Patton. Fantomas. The Mars Volta. The Dillinger Escape Plan. What do all these artists have in common? For their time (and the way they shaped their careers), they will forever be known as different and original. I'm sure I missed a few names on the above-mentioned list, but all those artists are major players in the experimental music scene. Zappa could be considered as the King of Experimental. As it was mentioned previously in this course, nobody was doing anything remotely close to Zappa's music at the time. Even Zappa's vision of how he wanted to compose was totally new back then. He went in the totally opposite direction of the norm and continued to produce anti-commercial music and art; and he was extremely successful in doing so. The funny part is Zappa had an R&B collection of over 700 singles, loved Doo-Wop and was fascinated by classical music. This is the same case for a lot of experiemental musicians. They're intrigued by stuff that is more "out-there" however the music they listen to or are influenced by is as normal as it gets. For example, grind-core giants The Dillinger Escape Plan are one of the heaviest and ¨noisiest¨ bands in the heavy metal scene. Somehow they are primarily influenced by 1980´s glam-pop and lead singer Greg Puciato´s favorite artist is Justin Timberlake. It isn´t about how strange or obscure your influences are or even what one listens to for that matter. It is more so how a musician or an artist can shape their legacy into a sound or an image of their own.

Was Jail Necessary For Zappa's Legacy?

Frank Zappa's time in prison was easily the worst experience of his life. Not only was he "framed" and wrongfully accused of a crime, he was also exploited in local papers and media outlets. This experience led Zappa to believe America was a disgusting place and he learned "The Real American Way of Life". He was determined to prove America was corrupt and wanted to show his fellow Americans the truth about their beloved country. Zappa also came out of prison a different person. Even though it is safe to say Zappa was a little bit "weird", when Zappa finished his prison sentence became too weird for his own good. Perhaps this was a way or an attempt to prove America was "scum". Maybe Zappa's time in jail could be underestimated as one of the greatest things to ever happen to him or his career. As strange as it might seem, jail might have been the reason Zappa's career was so successful. His views changed, his opinions of his homeland changed and he was obviously bitter towards representatives of authority. Jail was a big influence on his politically driven music. Jail also influenced the way he saw authority deal with their problems and Zappa became more humorous to prove authority and his country lacked of sense of humour. Zappa was driven to not only to force his "pornographic tape" down America's throat but wanted to force any type of art he was associated with down their throats as well (music, film, social critic, etc.) If it was a shock to them or disgusted them, he achieved his goal. If Zappa never went to jail, would his music have been composed the same way? Would "conceptual continuity" still play such a major role in his work? These questions cannot have a correct answer. Although with Zappa's involvement in the censorship of music and his openly expressed opinion on the Watts Riot, he definitely was inspired by his horrid time in prison.

Frank Zappa Rock N' Roll Comics

While trying to find references for the remainder of this course I stumbled upon rare interviews, live performances and printed items like books and magazines that I had no idea about. I must say as a child, I was never into reading. If I had to read a book for school, chances are I asked my fellow classmates what it was about or I forced my mother to read it to me (which only happened a couple of times before she forced me to do homework like everyone else). Although I really enjoyed visuals. Every week I would pick up a new colouring book, wrestling magazine or hockey yearbooks with eight-by-eleven photos of some of the world's greatest players. When I turned nine years old, I was at my Uncle Mario's house while he was cleaning up his storage room. He decided to part ways with his comic book collection. I inherited over eighty of the best and most rare comic books known to mankind. The collection consisted of mainly X-Men, Spider-Man and Thor comics including some special edition issues. Mario also introduced me to Ghost Rider, which was pretty extreme for a kid under the age of ten. As I got older, I got more into comics and I still buy them to this day. As I continued my research on Zappa, I came across this odd comic book that was released in 1994. The cover says it is unauthorized so I cannot confirm if Zappa had anything to do with the release. Judging by the cover (I downloaded it as an online PDF document, wishing I had a physical copy) it seems like the publisher is Revolutionary Comics however the title reads: "Rock N' Roll Comics: Frank Zappa-Viva La Bizarre." The phrase can also be found on the back cover. The first page of the 34-page comic book consists of its own unique interview with Larry "Wild Man" Fischer. What I found noticeably hilarious was that they referred him to Weird Al Yankovic as if they were long lost brothers. Of course in 1994, Weird Al Yankovic was perhaps pop-comedy's biggest star with his renditions of classic pop songs and he also appeared on MTV's video shuffle constantly. "Long before Weird Al, there lived another wacky, musical madman..." was the opening line. I could understand the timing...but how many other wacky men can we relate "Wild Man" to before Weird Al?!

The black and white comic is separated into two divisions both titled "The Ballad of Frank Zappa"; (1) Movement One-Viva La Bizarre and (2) Interlude One: Tokens of his Extreme Circa 1979. The opening cover is Zappa looking like a detective, reminiscent of Sherlock Holmes. The focus of this comic book is Zappa's life and his career. Movement One deals more with his life as an early adolescent to being an iconic rock figure. Perhaps the "cream of the crop" (or cream of the comic) is when he was arrested at Studio Z, the illustration shows Zappa being question by Detective Willis and arrested while he is in a straight-jacket. This bit of irony proves Zappa was not able to do or prove anything during his arrest. Interlude One focuses more on Zappa as a composer all the way to Zappa testifying at the Senate Hearing. Seeing Zappa's life in the form of a comic book is quite beautiful to say the least. Illustrations of Gail, Flo and Eddie and numerous groupies also make the comic fascinating. The last page is a continuation of Fischer's interview where he describes a falling out with Zappa after Zappa helped him launch his album. He says Zappa always "hated him" and he owed nothing to Zappa, only the IRS. It seems as if Wild Man Fischer was actually interviewed for this publication (since it was unauthorized) but I cannot find solid proof of it. Either way Fischer was also crazy so it wouldn't surprise me if this is a real interview. I wish I had a physical copy of this comic. It must go for top dollar these days since it was listed as "one of the weirdest comics ever made" by numerous social media websites. I downloaded a PDF of it while searching on Google for various Zappa content. I would love to upload the whole thing on my blog, but I'm afraid that is not possible. Take my word for it: it's a grown man's colouring book and it is awesome.

ZAPPA The Movie...Potential Soundtrack?

The longevity and success of Frank Zappa's career could very well be documented in the form of a film. Not quite a documentary, "Zappa: The Movie" could be made as a motion picture.Why a film hasn't already been made is another story. There were many important stages in his life that could be showcased (childhood, personal views, controversy, changing the shape of rock n' roll, etc.) What could be the most interesting aspect for this film is that ever since he was a small boy, Zappa was fascinated with music. Whoever studies Zappa knows that the music he was influenced by was not always rock music. Doo-Wop, R&B and classical compositions not only interested Zappa but these genres influenced his own music. "Zappa: The Movie" could have a great soundtrack, filled with many different songs representing a handful of genres. Narrowed down to 18 tracks, this is what the soundtrack could look like in chronological order based on Zappa's career: (this could also be a killer mix-tape for the die-hard fan)

1. Edgard Varese - Ionisation
2. Lightnin' Slim - Bad Luck Blues
3. The Platters - Only You
4. The Drifters - Under The Boardwalk
5. Howlin' Wolf - How Many More Years
6. The Byrds - Mr. Tambourine Man
7. The Yardbirds - For Your Love
8. Frank Zappa (MOI) - Hungry Freaks Daddy
9. Frank Zappa (MOI) - Who are the Brain Police?
10. Elvis Presley - Hound Dog
11. Frank Zappa (MOI) - Help I'm A Rock
12. Frank Zappa (MOI) - Call Any Vegetable
13. Jimmy Carl Black (MOI) - Lonesome Cowboy Burt
14. Frank Zappa (MOI) - Penis Dimension
15. Frank Zappa - Mo n' Herb's Vacation
16. Captain Beefheart - Lick My Decals Off Baby
17. Steve Vai - I Know You're Here
18. Dweezil Zappa - Let's Talk About It

Did Frank Zappa Contradict His Views On His Relationships With His Band Members?

Before I write about this subject, I must note that this is not to accuse Frank Zappa of wrongdoing in any way (especially a negative one). It is very easy for someone like me to study Zappa decades after his career, analyze the person and his work; and then be able to express any opinion with it. It is not like I have ever had a conversation with Zappa or came to understand his views either. I am simply studying the man as a course and came up with questions and ideas. Frank Zappa is a rock n’ roll legend and there’s no way I’m trying to put down someone who revolutionized the genre.

Ever since he was young, Zappa was notably advanced when it came to the media, sound and music. He had his own special relationship with science and found love for classical composers like Varese. It isn’t out of the norm but it is not the most popular choice amongst youngsters. His work with numerous orchestras and an example of his early work “World’s Greatest Sinner” proved Frank Zappa’s career-like “conceptual continuity” started early. Some would suggest Zappa’s whole career was like a film; a different scene or setting after another. With that in mind Zappa had “armies” for bands, having played with dozens of different musicians; one more talented that the next. He formed business ties with every musician, hired them and paid them to work on his clock; and his rules as well.

Frank Zappa could have easily been considered a solo artist his entire career. Let’s face it: at one point he was a solo artist and always was a guitar virtuoso. He released numerous albums under his own name which proved he was a solo artist. Even with The Mothers of Invention, Frank Zappa was the one pulling the strings and was obviously the most recognizable. It is no surprise that with his band Zappa was the leader and the orchestrator. Some may suggest he was worse than a control freak however he did like to be in control (and he needed to be in control for the direction of his music). At the end of it all musicians were hired by Zappa. He wasn’t forming a garage band with his three best friends and proceeded to invade the music industry. He was the artist behind it all and his musicians were paid to be on his time. It was like a business. Although did Zappa take his control for granted. Was he hypocritical when dealing with band mates?

Zappa did not allow his band members to do drugs but did not mind what they did on their own time. His strict rules were understandable and after all it was his music the band was playing. However according to Barry Miles, Zappa was amused when some of his band members or friends would take drugs and act silly because Zappa thought they simply looked stupid. If Zappa truly believed drugs were an easy way of “tuning out of life”, did he find the stupidity of others funny? Or was he not interested in taking the drugs himself so he laughed because he was truly amused? One could suggest it is a bit of both however there is no proof that Zappa even enjoyed watching people on drugs. This is a recollection of Miles’ thoughts and I find it strange that Zappa would slam drug use but laugh at his friends on acid because he sees “comedy” in it. When Jeff Simmons’s girlfriend had told him to leave Zappa’s band and play “real music”, one must assume that was a private and serious conversation. Even Jeff was having thoughts himself of using his blues pedigree elsewhere, a place where it could have benefited him a little more. Zappa recorded and obtained that conversation and put it on his record. Now that could be a way of saying that is a musical contribution however it is still a little harsh. However Zappa could have always said that he pays his band members for those conversations so that he can use them.

Perhaps the best example of this was when Zappa was assaulted from a fan and needed to take a break because of injury. His fellow Mothers of Invention members Eddie and Flo, decided to stay active and make music with other musicians. This upset Zappa not because he was “the boss” of Flo and Eddie, but because he considered them “friends”. Maybe he had a special relationship with them beyond music which nobody will ever know but them. So how does Zappa classify friendship when it comes to the musicians he hires? Flo and Eddie stuck by Zappa’s side, even when they had to play ridiculous montages in 200 Motels which they clearly found stupid. Did Zappa consider Jeff as a friend too? Zappa might have been wrong to “always watch” his band mates, control them musically, control their drug use and use excerpts of private conversations for his records. How can he assume or call them friends when those people had no control of their lives when it came to the band? Would friends record private conversations and release them without their companion’s knowledge or approval? I’m not so sure he would be that great of a friend. The Mothers of Invention had to realize at some point that their relationship with Zappa was like a business and Zappa himself was known to be a business man through his musical career. Zappa was also smart enough to realize he hired musicians as well. Even in interviews you can hear him say that he has “try-outs” for his band annually and the musicians that come through get more credible and talented. This means if Drummer B is better than current Drummer A, Zappa would unquestionably go with B.  Zappa also changed band members if he thought they were better. There’s no doubt Zappa had a special relationship with his band members but apart from a business relationship it’s tough to have a friendship through a job at times (especially when your boss is Frank Zappa.)

My First Zappa Experience

As a child, every Saturday my family would spend each week going by the same schedule. I would wake up around 7:30am, wake up my little brother and we would have only minutes to play with our toys before my father would tell us to wash up. We were on the road by 8:00am to drive my mother to work. After we dropped her off my father would stop by McDonalds to get us breakfast. By the time we got home, I had roughly three hours to kill before wrestling was on at 12:00pm (I could count the times I missed wrestling at noon on one hand). At 1:00pm when it was all over, I had about the whole afternoon to waste. I played with my wrestling figures, read magazines and played Nintendo. My father would go downstairs in his office which was a small room with all his work, his records, a television and his video tapes. I noticed my father had a huge tape collection but he started buying CD’s in the early nineties. He wouldn’t come back from a trip to Sam the Record Man’s without a minimum of ten new CD’s.

While my father would clean up around the house or do paper work in his office I would take a bin of his CD’s, plug in the portable stereo (which back then was a lot more valuable then one you could buy for your office for $20) and I would listen to his CD’s for hours. My dad was a rock n’ roll buff who had practically every record from Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Bon Jovi and worshiped the Rolling Stones (to this day, he own only 3 Beatles albums which are all greatest hits compilations. He says “I was a loyal Stones fan”.) I would discover some bands on my own, like Kiss, Ugly Kid Joe, Pink Floyd and Dire Straits. I was young but I still understood the basic rock track: four instruments and clear-cut vocals.

As I was going through some more CD’s one afternoon, I came across one with a heavily mustached man with simply a shot of his face for the album cover. It read “The Best of Zappa”. I asked my father “What’s this?”… He replied, “the most (expletive) up thing you will ever listen to in your whole life”. Back then, guys like Alice Cooper and King Crimson were totally obscure but were typically normal. As I put on the album, the first track lasted only seconds before I switched to another. This happened for the entire album. I tried to listen to one song on the CD that had a little more of a pop swing to it but I couldn’t get by the strange vocals and weird musical arrangements. I did not like what I was hearing.

Fifteen years later, I decided to listen to some of Zappa’s tracks, properly. I didn’t go out and purchase his records but I downloaded a few along with a greatest hits compilation that could very well be the same one I listened to as a child. I’m not so sure I understood Zappa although I appreciated him a lot more. The music was bearable and because my favorite bands were Aerosmith and Guns N’ Roses, I wasn’t ready for something different. As I got older and gave numerous strange musical acts a chance I ended up liking a lot more music I would have never listened to as a child (ex: Black Flag, Kate Bush, Animal Collective, etc.) I cannot say I was a Zappa fanatic or connoisseur before tasking this course but I did have a Zappa experience. It wasn’t necessarily a great one but it was one that needed to happen. I find myself going back to my musical roots when accepting new artists in my life. Even though I am familiar with some of Zappa’s tracks I took this course because I want to get to know Zappa. I would like to understand Zappa. I would also like to know why I didn’t “get” or like Zappa as a child.