Who IS Frank Zappa - Progressive Rock Music Forum

All very much like theater to me. He got pegged for a while to actually be the person promoting porno sex through lyrics. Although he was handing out lyrics to band members directing them as if they were in a play. Many times each member would take on a role. His sacastic humour regarding sex in society was played out with individual characters. Underneath it all, (and on many albums), there was a message to not be a zombie and follow society's rules or overall indulgence into something that felt normal but in the real world was unhealthy and quite abnormal. This mission of expression turned up on "Were Only In It for the Money", where he is feverishly promoting the idea that hippie ways are are quite brainwashing. His most revealing idea was with the subject of the hippies wishing to over throw the goverment. A lot of my friends bought his records because they thought he was promoting sex for what was on their agenda. In the end, Zappa was making fun of all the stupied behaviour in the U.S. but, I think that because he was so sarcastic and intelligent about it, that it went over many people's heads and they took it with a different meaning. I make reference only to the east coast.

Frank was also a master of the live show, as can be heard on many of this live albums. However, a lot of stuff has gone unreleased, and going on Zapateers.com can be very worthwhile. The site features LEGAL torrents of unreleased live shows from Frank's entire career, and many of them are soundboard quality, which more or less means it will sound like an official live album.

I recommend this show, as it's the same lineup as the Roxy & Elsewhere live album (which is one of his best albums.) It's A+ quality, meaning it's pristine and clear.
http://www.zappateers.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=22363&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

You have to be a member of Zappateers to view the download links. It takes literally 3 seconds to sign up if you're not already a member.

Edited by darkshade - April 24 2012 at 14:25

My Last.fm

Here's Frank's memorable appearance on the Steve Allen Show, 1963. Still clean shaven at this point, and still fancying himself a composer as opposed to a rock musician. And still as funny as ever.

My other avatar is a Porsche

It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle if it is lightly greased.

-Kehlog Albran

CCVP wrote:

All I know is that Frank Zappa IS dead.

He's not dead. He just smells funny Wink

My Last.fm

Been listening to Make A Jazz Noise Here today, if you like more instrumental side of Zappa's music, with a dash of humor, this is the album to get. Masterpiece status, and goes well with Best Band You Never Heard In Your Life, I just wish there weren't so many covers on that one.

My Last.fm

FREAK OUT! and Waka/Jawaka are my favorites

TODDLER wrote:

...

All very much like theater to me. He got pegged for a while to actually be the person promoting porno sex through lyrics.

...

Which early radio loved to chase as obscenity and try to steal money from the hip'r radio stations ... to make sure they did not succeed.

TODDLER wrote:

...

His sacastic humour regarding sex in society was played out with individual characters. Underneath it all, (and on many albums), there was a message to not be a zombie and follow society's rules or overall indulgence into something that felt normal but in the real world was unhealthy and quite abnormal.

...

Two things here. The conventional and literary styles do not like profanity or things that suggest some kind of un-savory this or that. In general, anyone using words frivolously like that will get ... some kind of trouble. They did the same thing 50 or 60 years ago with Jean Genet and many others.

This has become less of an issue in 2000 with all the rap and stuff out there that uses these words much faster and much stronger than Frank ever did. But somehow it is ok for a black to say it, but not a white ... he would have loved that one today and would have speared it mercilessly, I bet!

The zombie part is important. In general, when you have a top ten, and this board is a "slight" (not total - ever) example, the majority of folks and opinions all sign on each other first before listening or purchasing, and the ones that are different are always considered "politically incorrect" by some, and ... something else by others.

The point is ... that if you can only appreciate what someone else does, you can not make up your own mind ... and by the time you do? ... you're now not a part of the band, or this group, or no one likes you!

It's a tough choice either way you look at it.

TODDLER wrote:

...

This mission of expression turned up on "Were Only In It for the Money", where he is feverishly promoting the idea that hippie ways are are quite brainwashing.

...

Just as the ROTC was on all campuses and the advertising for the USARMY and NAVY .... at a time when all your friends, or children would end up going to VietNam! The hippy thing was a disaster right after the flowers in yor hair thing ... why? it brought to California the largest number of morons and idiots and stoneys you ever saw ... and these folks were the ones that took the honesty out of it all.

So, in terms of brainwashing, flowers in your hair is no different than a crew cut! But some folks got indignant because he said that ....

Is it any different today?

Nope!

Edited by moshkito - June 06 2012 at 07:27

Music is not just for listening ... it is for LIVING ... you got to feel it to know what's it about! Not being told!
www.pedrosena.com

...well, ...um,he has a daughter?

..."and watch out where those huskys go

and dont you eat that yellow snow" !!!