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.)