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Frank Zappa
Biography
Frank Vincent Zappa (December 21, 1940 - December 4, 1993) was an American composer, singer-songwriter, electric guitarist, record producer and film director. In a career spanning more than 30 years, Zappa wrote rock, jazz, orchestral and musique concrète works. He also directed feature-length films and music videos, and designed album covers. Zappa produced almost all of the more than 60 albums he released with the band The Mothers of Invention and as a solo artist. While in his teens, he acquired a taste for percussion-based avant-garde composers such as Edgard Varèse and 1950s rhythm and blues music. He began writing classical music in high school, while at the same time playing drums in rhythm and blues bands; he later switched to electric guitar. He was a self-taught composer and performer, and his diverse musical influences led him to create music that was often impossible to categorize. His 1966 debut album with The Mothers of Invention, Freak Out!, combined songs in...
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Discography
- 1982-06-11: Alte Oper, Frankfurt, Germany
- Ahead of Their Time, 1993
- Return of the Son of Kill Ugly Radio, 1996
- You Are What You Is, 1998
- Studio Tan, 1995
- 1978-09-21: Mid Hudson Center, Poughkeepsie, NY, USA
- Zappa in New York, 1991
- Zomby Woof, 1988
- Francesco Zappa, 1995
- 1984-08-22: Vogue Theater, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Tinsel Town Rebellion, 1990
- Does Humor Belong in Music?, 1995
- Clean American Version, 1995
- What's New in Loreley?
- Strictly Commercial: The Best of Frank Zappa, 1995
- Waka/Jawaka, 1972
- Rare Meat: Early Works of Frank Zappa, 1995
- Zoot Allures, 1990
- Crush All Boxes, 1980
- 1978-09-03: Saarbrücken 1978: Open Air Festival, Saarbrücken, Germany, 1991
- Ship Arriving Too Late to Save a Drowning Witch, 1982
- Tinsel Town Rebellion (disc 1)
- Lumpy Gravy, 2001
- You Can't Do That on the Radio Anymore, 1990
- Apostrophe (’), 1996
- Frank Zappa Meets the Mothers of Prevention, 1986
- The Best Band You Never Heard in Your Life, 2002
- Anyway the Wind Blows, 1991
- Baby Snakes Live In New York, 1979
- Sharleena / Bognor Regis
- Shut Up 'n Play Yer Guitar, 1981
- The Lost Episodes, 1996
- Broadcast Rarities, 2008
- Frank Zappa Meets The Mothers of Prevention, 1990
- 1978-02-07: Nouvel Hippodrome, Paris, France
- Early Works 1963-1964, 1992
- Trance-Fusion, 2006
- 1977-10-31: The Palladium, New York, NY, USA
- Freaks & Motherfu*#@%!, 1991
- Make a Jazz Noise Here, 1995
- London Symphony Orchestra, Volume 1 & 2, 1995
- The History and Collected Improvisations of Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention
- We’re Only in It for the Money / Lumpy Gravy, 1985
- Jazz From Hell, 1986
- The Sheik's Rehearsals (disc 1)
- Have I Offended Someone?, 1997
- Joe’s Garage: Acts II & III, 1979
- “Congress Shall Make No Law…”, 2010
- I Don’t Wanna Get Drafted / Ancient Armaments, 1980
- 1977-09-23: Assembly Hall, University Of Illinois, Champaign, IL, USA
- The Lost Solos (disc 2: The Son of the Lost Solos), 2003
- London Symphony Orchestra, Volume II, 1987
- 1980-05-24: Ahoy, Rotterdam, Netherlands
- Mystery Box (disc 3: Beyond the Fringe of Audience Comprehension), 1983
- Remington Electric Razor, 1981
- The London Symphony Orchestra, 1986
- 1980-11-26: Masonic Auditorium, Detroit, MI, USA
- Threesome No. 2, 2000
- Thing‐Fish, 2002
- Vitamin Deficiency, 1979
- Orchestral Favorites, 1979
- The Best Of, 2004
- 1976-10-24: Zoot Allures Live: Music Hall, Boston, MA, USA (disc 1)
- Cucamonga, 1997
- Make a Jazz Noise Here (disc 2), 1991
- 1974-11-26: Pershing Municipal Auditorium, Lincoln, NE, USA
- As An Am, 1991
- Sheik Yerbouti, 1995
- The Interviews, Volume 2, 1996
- Bongo Fury, 1989
- 1978-02-15: Deutschlandhalle, Berlin, Germany, Part 1
- One Shot Deal, 2008
- I Don't Wanna Get Drafted, 1995
- 1984-07-22: The Palace, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- FZ:OZ, 2002
- Picantique, 1991
- Joe's Domage, 2004
- Son of Cheep Thrills, 1998
- Hot Rats, 2008
- Cheap Thrills, 1998
- Joe's Corsage, 2004
- Kill Ugly Radio, 1995
- Joe's Menage, 2008
- Broadway the Hard Way, 1988
- Mystery Box (disc 4: Zut Alors), 1983
- Trick or Treat
- Buffalo, 2007
- Mystery Disc, 1998
- Beat the Boots! II (disc 5: Fire!), 1992
- Joe’s Garage: Act I, 1979
- The Man From Utopia, 1993
- Hammersmith Odeon, 2010
- How’s Your Bird?, 1998
- 1988-05-01: Johanneshovs Isstadion, Stockholm, Sweden
- Roxy & Elsewhere, 1974
- All You Need Is Glove, 1991
- Sleep Dirt, 1991
- Ditties and Beer, 1998
- Strictly Bonus
- Apostrophe (’) / Over‐Nite Sensation, 1986
- You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore, Volume 6, 1992
- You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore, Volume 2, 1988
- Ensemble Modern Plays Frank Zappa: Greggery Peccary & Other Persuasions (feat. conductor: Jonathan Stockhammer), 2004
- Imaginary Diseases, 2006
- Them or Us, 1984
- Frank Zappa: Cucamonga, 2004
- Frank Zappa Plays the Music of Frank Zappa: A Memorial Tribute, 1996
- 1984-09-01: Kreega Bondola: Saratoga Performing Arts Centre, Saratoga, NY, USA, 1992
- Peaches en Regalia, 1987
- London Symphony Orchestra, Volume 1, 1983
- Zappa Picks - by Larry LaLonde of Primus
- Boulez Conducts Zappa: The Perfect Stranger, 1984
- The Making of Freak Out! Project/Object, 2006
- Chunga’s Revenge, 1970
- Joe’s Garage: Acts I, II & III, 1987
- 1980-05-24: Ahoy Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands, 1994
- Beat the Boots! II, 1992
- The Yellow Shark, 1993
- 1976-10-24: Boston Tea Party: Music Hall, Boston, MA, USA
- Piquantique, 1973
- 1973-05-19: Great McGonigle's Seaside Park, Annapolis, MD, USA
- The Dub Room Special (DVD), 2005
- You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore, Volume 4, 1991
- You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore, Volume 3, 1989
- Baby Snakes, 1983
- Zappa's Universe, 1993
- Wanna Buy Some Acid?, 2002
- Joe’s XMasage, 2005
- Live in Holland & Elsewhere
- 1979-02-14: Apollo Theater, Glasgow, UK
- Feeding the Monkies at Ma Maison, 2011
- Montana (Whipping Floss), 1988
- You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore, Volume 5, 1992
- 1980-05-24: The Ahoy, Rotterdam, Netherlands
- Halloween, 2003
- The Man From Utopia / Ship Arriving Too Late to Save a Drowning Witch, 1988
- Valley Girl, 1982
- 1970-11: A Snail in My Nose, Fillmore East, NYC
- Guitar, 1988
- Stairway to Heaven, 1991
- Mystery Box (disc 9: Return of the Son of Serious Music), 1983
- An Evening With Frank Zappa and Captain Beefheart
- Quaudiophiliac, 2004
- 1980-05-24: Boot the Beats: The Ahoy, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, 1991
- Beat the Boots! II (disc 5: Swiss Cheese), 1992
- Philly '76, 2009
- 1974-02-16: Berkeley Community Theatre, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Dancin’ Fool, 1979
- Cucamonga Years: The Early Works of Frank Zappa (1962-1964), 1997
- Civilization Phaze III, 1994
- Strictly Genteel: A Classical Introduction to Frank Zappa, 1997
- The Classic Interviews, 2004
- The Lumpy Money Project/Object: An FZ Audio Documentary, 2009
- The Dub Room Special!, 2007
- You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore, Volume 1, 1988
- Kill Ugly Radio Some More, 1995
- Läther, 1996
- The Best Band on Broadway the Hard Way US Tour
- Everything Is Healing Nicely, 1999
- Zappa Picks—by Jon Fishman of Phish, 2002
- Threesome No. 1
- Uncle Penguin's Brain
- Wazoo, 2007
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Recently Played on Dig Music.
| Song | Dancin' Fool |
| Artist | Frank Zappa |
| Album | Sheik Yerboudi |
| Label | Rhino/Warner |
| Year | 1979 |
| Song | Sexual Harassment In The Workplace |
| Artist | Frank Zappa |
| Album | Guitar |
| Label | Rykosisc |
| Year | 1988 |
| Song | I Am The Slime |
| Artist | Frank Zappa |
| Album | Over-Nite Sensation |
| Label | Rykosisc |
| Year | 1973 |
| Song | Cosmic Debris |
| Artist | Frank Zappa |
| Album | Apostrophe |
| Label | Rykosisc |
| Year | 1974 |
| Song | Peaches En Regalia |
| Artist | Frank Zappa |
| Album | Hot Rats |
| Label | Rykosisc |
| Year | 1969 |
Media
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- YouTube Frank Zappa on Crossfire 21:17
- YouTube Frank Zappa explains the decline of the music business 4:17
- YouTube Steve Allen show Frank Zappa Playing music on a Bicycle 1963 16:25
- YouTube FRANK ZAPPA COSMIK DEBRIS 8:07
- YouTube Frank Zappa Broken Hearts are for assholes 3:52
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Links
Artist Website
On the ABC
- Michael Kieren Harvey's homage to Frank Zappa - ABC Hobart ...
- Michael Kieran Harvey - The Music Show - 2 August 2003
- Melisma - 29/04/01: 29 April, 2001
- DIG Radio - Berlin Creates 'Frank Zappa Strasse'
- DIG Internet Radio - Album Rewind: Frank Zappa
- Mornings with Margaret Throsby: 27 September 2007
- triple j music specials: Captain Beefheart
- The Music Show - 02/08/2003: Michael Kieran Harvey
- Charred Hendrix guitar set to beat auction record. 28/8/2002 ...
- Radio National Breakfast - 14 January 2005 - Frank Zappa
Elsewhere on the Web
Links suggested here are generated automatically. The ABC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Page created on Apr 1, 2009. 7:07am and updated on Apr 15, 2012. 2:51am.
Related Stories
Son of Frank, Dweezil Zappa will be honouring his father on Australian stages in April 2012.
Comments
My fave Frank album and fave song!
No-one has a sense of humour like Frank Zappa had.
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