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.
The Florida Airport Tape
Frank Zappa Lyrics
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Mark volman (vocals)
Howard kaylan (vocals)
Jeff simmons (bass)
George duke (keyboards)
Ian underwood (keyboards, alto saxophone)
Aynsley dunbar (drums)
The tour of the country?
Yeah, did you?
I puked on stage
It started in san antonio
You puked on stage? ? ?
I did when I was right in the middle of singin' easy meat or somethin' and all of a sudden I started pukin' out of my mouth and I just put my hand over like that
Oh!
You didn't get it on film?
Outa-site!
Gimme that in slow motion...
I thought you guys all cut that... I got really sick from ah... that jumpin' around each time... all that scotch and wine? just weird, I only did it for about a second, you know it's just like a little sound-hooker I kinda shoved it back down my throat and went on stage
Right!
Yeah! that is strange man!
Ratzo rizzo!
He saved it because he might be hungry later
Uuhuu! keep the big pieces!
The Florida Airport Tape is a conversation that took place between Frank Zappa and members of his band, including Mark Volman, Howard Kaylan, Jeff Simmons, George Duke, Ian Underwood, and Aynsley Dunbar. The conversation begins with Zappa asking if anyone in the group saw him puke on stage during their tour of the country. He then goes on to explain that he got really sick from jumping around during their performances and drinking too much scotch and wine. Despite this, Zappa managed to keep it together and continue with the performance, only puking for about a second in the middle of singing "Easy Meat." At one point in the conversation, someone suggests that Zappa should have slowed down the footage of him puking to see it in slow motion.
The lyrics of The Florida Airport Tape offer a unique insight into the behind-the-scenes moments of a musician's life on tour. This conversation showcases the band's camaraderie and jokingly highlights the less glamorous side of touring. Zappa's willingness to share this embarrassing moment with his bandmates further strengthens their bond and highlights the importance of humor and collaboration in working together.
Line by Line Meaning
Can I just ask somethin' to any...everybody here? did anybody see me puke on stage?
Frank Zappa is questioning those present, asking if anyone saw him vomiting on stage.
The tour of the country?
Someone asks for clarification, confirming that it occurred during the countrywide tour.
Yeah, did you?
Frank Zappa reiterates the question, inquiring if the person asking saw him vomit on stage.
I puked on stage
Frank Zappa admits to having vomited during a performance.
It started in san antonio
Frank Zappa begins to describe the incident, indicating that it began in San Antonio.
You puked on stage? ? ?
Someone is surprised by Frank Zappa's admission that he vomited while on stage.
I did when I was right in the middle of singin' easy meat or somethin' and all of a sudden I started pukin' out of my mouth and I just put my hand over like that
Frank Zappa provides more details about the incident, sharing that he was in the middle of singing 'Easy Meat' when he suddenly began vomiting out of his mouth, and covered it with his hand.
Oh!
Someone reacts to Frank Zappa's description of the incident.
You didn't get it on film?
Someone disappointingly asks if the vomiting incident was caught on film.
Outa-site!
Someone reacts to the ridiculousness of the situation.
Gimme that in slow motion...
Someone jokingly requests a slow-motion replay of the vomiting incident.
I thought you guys all cut that... I got really sick from ah... that jumpin' around each time... all that scotch and wine? just weird, I only did it for about a second, you know it's just like a little sound-hooker I kinda shoved it back down my throat and went on stage
Frank Zappa explains that he believed his team had removed the footage, and shares that he became nauseous due to the combination of jumping and alcohol. He mentions that it was only for a brief moment, and he pushed through and continued performing.
Right!
Someone affirms what Frank Zappa has just shared.
Yeah! that is strange man!
Someone reacts to the bizarreness of the situation.
Ratzo rizzo!
Someone randomly interjects with this phrase, which has no apparent connection to the current conversation.
He saved it because he might be hungry later
Someone makes a joke, suggesting that Frank Zappa's vomit could be saved for future consumption.
Uuhuu! keep the big pieces!
The joke continues, as someone suggests keeping the larger chunks of vomit for a later time.
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