Frank Zappa
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Baltimore, Maryland (1955 – 1993)
Frank Vincent Zappa (1940-1993) was an American composer, guitarist, singer, bandleader and producer. He was one of the most prolific musicians of his time, releasing over fifty albums of original material spanning over a thirty-five year career.
Born on 21st December 1940 in Baltimore, Maryland, Zappa’s earliest influences were 1950s pop and rock (such as doo-wop and rhythm and blues), and 20th-century classical composers including Igor Stravinsky and Edgard Varèse. His output was divided between adventurous instrumental compositions and succinct, catchy rock songs with ribald, satirical, or comically absurd lyrics. On stage he demanded virtuosity and spontaneity from his musicians, and employed many performers who would later go on to achieve fame in their own rights. He directed and released a number of films featuring himself, his musicians and entourage, including 200 Motels and Baby Snakes.
His career started in 1955. His earliest recordings date from the mid-1960s, and include collaborations with his school friend Captain Beefheart. In 1965 he joined a bar-band called The Soul Giants, quickly dominating its musical direction and rechristening it The Mothers. Their first release (as The Mothers of Invention; the name alteration requested by their record company) was the 1966 double album Freak Out!. The line-up of the Mothers gradually expanded to accommodate Zappa’s increasingly ambitious and avant-garde music, but by 1969 he decided to work outside the band structure, focusing on his solo career, and effectively disbanding the Mothers in 1971.
Born on 21st December 1940 in Baltimore, Maryland, Zappa’s earliest influences were 1950s pop and rock (such as doo-wop and rhythm and blues), and 20th-century classical composers including Igor Stravinsky and Edgard Varèse. His output was divided between adventurous instrumental compositions and succinct, catchy rock songs with ribald, satirical, or comically absurd lyrics. On stage he demanded virtuosity and spontaneity from his musicians, and employed many performers who would later go on to achieve fame in their own rights. He directed and released a number of films featuring himself, his musicians and entourage, including 200 Motels and Baby Snakes.
His career started in 1955. His earliest recordings date from the mid-1960s, and include collaborations with his school friend Captain Beefheart. In 1965 he joined a bar-band called The Soul Giants, quickly dominating its musical direction and rechristening it The Mothers. Their first release (as The Mothers of Invention; the name alteration requested by their record company) was the 1966 double album Freak Out!. The line-up of the Mothers gradually expanded to accommodate Zappa’s increasingly ambitious and avant-garde music, but by 1969 he decided to work outside the band structure, focusing on his solo career, and effectively disbanding the Mothers in 1971.
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Strictly Commercial
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Hot Rats
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Sheik Yerbouti
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Apostrophe (')
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Shoutbox
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Mistermasyl wrote:
Zappa today in za PROGiem radio show.
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AMDA wrote:
4001, i want my prize
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NWG369 wrote:
Can't wait til FZ reaches 4000 shouts
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glassbottle wrote:
And I do like his singing, Listen to Valarie.
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glassbottle wrote:
I want the violin solo from "little house we used to live in" as a ring tone but I know if I did this I would never answer my phone.
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NWG369 wrote:
I didn't even know he played guitar
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Lionheartattack wrote:
V I've never heard anyone underrating Zappa as a guitarist. O.O Especially when folks tend to know he might've improvised a solo in a gig, then use it and a few others in an album a few years later. :P He was a heck of a guitarist, and not only that, his guitar playing (and overally even composing) was at times like peacing together a puzzle/montage. :) Otherwise you nailed it pretty well. :D
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niQboy wrote:
Well, to me, Frank wasn't a singer. In Frank's own words, he was a commentator, as most of his material and lyrical content focused on social satire and other absurdity, which needed to be spoken, rather than sung. He was also way underrated as a guitar player, but it was only because his other talents overshadowed this particular area of expertise.
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AngelOf_Mercy_ wrote:
I don't like Frank's singing. He's a funny story-teller (Muffin Man for example), but his vocals aren't as brilliant as his compositions and his fellow musicians. Luckily he didn't sing so much.
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KingsAndQueen wrote:
Although I appreciate the art of the instrument of the guitar, I prefer the stuff with lots of singing and goofy lyrics. [2] You can hear the real rhythm and blues and the crazy vibraphone progressions :)
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skank_pit wrote:
Hot Rats blew my mind when I was a teenager.
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niQboy wrote:
Why? I like it.
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Masafaka wrote:
for fucks sake vote the current pic down
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Emptyinsides wrote:
happy mudshark bruzza
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Sosen wrote:
Although I appreciate the art of the instrument of the guitar, I prefer the stuff with lots of singing and goofy lyrics.
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Opeth_MAYH wrote:
Biggest pimp of all time.
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PsychoLold wrote:
It's hard to get into "Weasels Ripped My Flesh" but it is damn worth it.
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Moxxxu wrote:
oh god oh god I'm so fantastic
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KBofLight wrote:
I just noticed a reference to "Weasels Ripped My Flesh" in an episode of MST3K. Hell yes.
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lter__Impius wrote:
V after me cat, who was a human being
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rokakuya wrote about Frank Zappa – The Gumbo Variations in the best progressive song of 1969!. Thursday morning
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