Frank Vincent Zappa (born December 21, 1940 in Baltimore, Maryland, United … Read Full Bio ↴Frank Vincent Zappa (born December 21, 1940 in Baltimore, Maryland, United States – December 4, 1993 in Los Angeles, California, United States) 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.
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.
The beginnings of his solo career in the late sixties and early seventies was characterised by a strong free jazz influence, with albums containing little, if any, lyrical content, such as Hot Rats, Waka/Jawaka and The Grand Wazoo. Towards the mid-seventies his albums became more rock-orientated, with a combination of Jazz Fusion instrumentation and Rock song structures. This more accessible sound bore reasonable mainstream appeal, especially with the release of the well-advertised albums Over-Nite Sensation and Apostrophe (') (which both went Gold), but Zappa's unpredictably eclectic output never led to solid mainstream recognition. He received uniformly lukewarm reviews from popular music publications such as Rolling Stone throughout his career. In his late seventies' output, the gulf between his humorous songs and more lengthy, complex instrumental music widened, and albums, such as Zappa in New York, Joe's Garage: Acts I, II & III, and Sleep Dirt displayed, by track, both sides firmly segregated.
Zappa saw a second run of success in the early eighties with the release of many albums with predominantly comedic rock songs, but later continued to experiment with virtually every style of music through the eighties, and was productive as ever until his death. His output in this later-career period included two albums of strikingly original classical music with the London Symphony Orchestra, an electronic take on 18th-century chamber music (written by the obscure Italian composer 'Francesco Zappa', no relation), an album of Synclavier compositions (misleadingly titled Jazz From Hell which garnered a Grammy award), a double-CD release of electric guitar instrumental music (the laconically titled Guitar) and a plenitude of official live releases, revisiting fan-favourites as well as showcasing Zappa's talent for reinventing the music of others; his version of Stairway to Heaven becoming a word-of-mouth favourite.
Zappa produced almost all of his own albums, spending many hours in the studio recording and manipulating tracks, and was always at the forefront of emerging technologies; from tape editing, collage, multitrack and overdubbing in the sixties to digital recording, electronic instruments and sampling in the eighties. Conversely, Zappa was also a obsessive self-archivist, recording virtually every one of his live performances, and often using live recordings of new material without needing to enter the studio. The archive of tapes at his family home in Los Angeles continues to be a source of posthumous releases for the Zappa Family Trust. He was also noted as a spotter of talent and his shifting line-up of musicians included Lowell George, Jean-Luc Ponty, Terry Bozzio, Chad Wackerman, George Duke, Mike Keneally, Adrian Belew and Steve Vai, as well as giving Alice Cooper his first break in music and working again with his old collaborator Captain Beefheart when his career was in decline.
In the late 1980s he became active in politics, campaigning against the PMRC's music censorship scheme and acting as culture and trade representative for Czechoslovakia in 1989; and considered running as an independent candidate for president of the US.
His death in Los Angeles, California, on 4th December 1993 came three years after he was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
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.
The beginnings of his solo career in the late sixties and early seventies was characterised by a strong free jazz influence, with albums containing little, if any, lyrical content, such as Hot Rats, Waka/Jawaka and The Grand Wazoo. Towards the mid-seventies his albums became more rock-orientated, with a combination of Jazz Fusion instrumentation and Rock song structures. This more accessible sound bore reasonable mainstream appeal, especially with the release of the well-advertised albums Over-Nite Sensation and Apostrophe (') (which both went Gold), but Zappa's unpredictably eclectic output never led to solid mainstream recognition. He received uniformly lukewarm reviews from popular music publications such as Rolling Stone throughout his career. In his late seventies' output, the gulf between his humorous songs and more lengthy, complex instrumental music widened, and albums, such as Zappa in New York, Joe's Garage: Acts I, II & III, and Sleep Dirt displayed, by track, both sides firmly segregated.
Zappa saw a second run of success in the early eighties with the release of many albums with predominantly comedic rock songs, but later continued to experiment with virtually every style of music through the eighties, and was productive as ever until his death. His output in this later-career period included two albums of strikingly original classical music with the London Symphony Orchestra, an electronic take on 18th-century chamber music (written by the obscure Italian composer 'Francesco Zappa', no relation), an album of Synclavier compositions (misleadingly titled Jazz From Hell which garnered a Grammy award), a double-CD release of electric guitar instrumental music (the laconically titled Guitar) and a plenitude of official live releases, revisiting fan-favourites as well as showcasing Zappa's talent for reinventing the music of others; his version of Stairway to Heaven becoming a word-of-mouth favourite.
Zappa produced almost all of his own albums, spending many hours in the studio recording and manipulating tracks, and was always at the forefront of emerging technologies; from tape editing, collage, multitrack and overdubbing in the sixties to digital recording, electronic instruments and sampling in the eighties. Conversely, Zappa was also a obsessive self-archivist, recording virtually every one of his live performances, and often using live recordings of new material without needing to enter the studio. The archive of tapes at his family home in Los Angeles continues to be a source of posthumous releases for the Zappa Family Trust. He was also noted as a spotter of talent and his shifting line-up of musicians included Lowell George, Jean-Luc Ponty, Terry Bozzio, Chad Wackerman, George Duke, Mike Keneally, Adrian Belew and Steve Vai, as well as giving Alice Cooper his first break in music and working again with his old collaborator Captain Beefheart when his career was in decline.
In the late 1980s he became active in politics, campaigning against the PMRC's music censorship scheme and acting as culture and trade representative for Czechoslovakia in 1989; and considered running as an independent candidate for president of the US.
His death in Los Angeles, California, on 4th December 1993 came three years after he was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
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20 Years Of Frank Zappa
Frank Zappa Lyrics
Approximate Frank zappa (lead guitar, vocals) Napoleon murphy brock (sax…
Big Swifty (Instrumental)…
Camarillo Brillo She had that Camarillo brillo Flamin' out along her head, I …
Catholic Girls (Well) Catholic Girls With a tiny little mustache Catholic G…
Crusing for Burgers I must be free My fake I.D. Freeeeeees me Gotta do a few…
Dance Contest Frank zappa (lead guitar, vocals) Ike willis (rhythm guitar,…
Dear Jeepers Zappa Frank Cucamonga Years 1962-1964 Performed by: Bob Guy …
Death Girls Of London C'mon everybody and let's get together tonight Got some mone…
Deathless Horsie [Hammersmith Odeon, London February 19, 1979 Engineer: Mick …
Dinah-Moe Humm I couldn't say where she's coming' from, But I just met…
Disco Boy Terry Bozzio (drums, background vocals) Davey Moire (vocals)…
Dog Breath Ya-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya-yah! Ya-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya-yah! Ya-ya-ya-ya-…
Envelopes We haven't lyrics of this song. Please, add these lyrics…
Everytime I See You Everytime I see you whenever you walk by I want to…
Fine Girl Frank Zappa (lead guitar, vocals) Ike Willis (rhythm guitar,…
Florentine Pogen Frank Zappa (guitar, vocals) George Duke (keyboards, synthe…
For Calvin Where did they go? When did they come from? What has becom…
For The Young Sophisticate Frank zappa (lead guitar, vocals) Ike willis (rhythm guitar,…
Heavies [includes an excerpt from Hands With A Hammer and part…
How Could I Be Such a Fool When I won your love I was very glad Every happiness in…
How's Your Bird Hey Baby, What's the word? Hey Baby, Have you heard? What's …
Hungry Freaks Daddy Mr. America, walk on by your schools that do not…
I Ain't Got No Heart Ain't got no heart I ain't got no heart to give…
I promise not to cum in your Frank zappa (lead guitar, vocals) Ray white (rhythm guitar, …
I'm Not Satisfied Ray Collins (lead vocals, harmonica, tambourine, finger cymb…
Inca Roads Did a vehicle Come from somewhere out there Just to land in…
Jessie Lee Zappa Frank cucamonga Years 1962-1964 Jessie Lee performed b…
Keep It Greasy Frank Zappa (lead guitar, vocals) Warren Cucurullo (rhythm g…
King Kong Frank zappa (lead guitar, vocals) Mark volman (vocals) Howar…
Letter From Jeepers Performed by: Bob Guy Doris, get out your poison pen and…
Lonely Little Girl You're a lonely little girl But your Mommy & your Daddy…
Love of My Life Love of my life, I love you so Love of my…
Magic Fingers Oh, the way you love me, lady, I get so hard…
Memories of El Monte Zappa Frank Cucamonga Years 1962-1964 Performed by: The Peng…
Mom and Dad Mama! Mama! Someone said they made some noise The cops have …
Mother People Do it again! Do it again! We are the other people We are…
Mr Eat your greens Don't forget your beans & celery Don't for…
My Guitar Wants To Kill Ya You know, your mama and your daddy Saying I'm no good…
Not Another One Yeah! Got no place to go (I'm tired of walking Up and dow…
Peaches En Regalia Jean-Luc Ponty - Violin, Keyboards Paul Humphrey - Violin, D…
Penis Dimension Penis dimension Penis dimension Penis dimension is worrying …
Return Of Your Mama You know, your mama and your daddy Saying I'm no good…
Rubber Girl Thank you, okay, sit down Some more raw unbridled perfurnery…
Run Home Slow Frank zappa (guitar) Lowell george (guitar) Roy estrada (bas…
Sharleena I'm cryin' I'm cryin' Cryin' for Sharleena. Can't you see I…
St Alfonzo Yes indeed, here we are! At Saint Alfonzo's Pancake Breakfas…
Stranded in the Jungle The name of this song is "Stranded In The Jungle" Yes,…
Suicide Chump Frank zappa (lead guitar, vocals) Ike willis (rhythm guitar,…
Take your clothes of when yo There will come a time when everybody Who is lonely will…
The Air The air Escaping from your mouth The hair Escaping from your…
The Duke That is the sound of a Very short cymbal it's a Finger…
The Story of a Pound for a Brown Frank zappa (lead guitar) Ray white (guitar) Steve vai (guit…
Titties and Beer It was the blackest night! There was no moon in sight! (you…
Treacherous Cretins [includes parts of the leather conversation] [Hammersmith O…
Village Of The Sun [Chorus] Goin' back home To the Village of the Sun Out…
What Kinda Group Do You Think We Are Frank Zappa (guitar, dialog) Mark Volman (lead vocals, dialo…
What Will This Morning Bnng Me This Ev What will this evening Bring me this morning? What will th…
Whats The Ugliest Part Of Your Body What's the ugliest Part of your body? What's the ugliest Par…
Wild Love Frank Zappa (lead guitar, vocals) Adrian Belew (rhythm guita…
World Greatest Sinner Ah, he's the world's greatest sinner. I said, the world's g…
Would You Like A Snack Went on the road For a month touring What a drag You gotta…
You Are What You Is Frank zappa (guitar, synclavier) Steve vai (guitar) Ray whit…
You Didn't Try to Call Me Ray collins (lead vocals) Frank zappa (lead guitar) Roy estr…