Frank Zappa

Frank Zappa Artistfacts

  • Dec. 21, 1940-Dec. 4, 1993
  • Zappa was a vocal opponent of censorship. He testified against the Parents Music Resource Center at the infamous Frankenchrist obscenity trial, in which the Dead Kennedys were brought to court for "distribution of harmful matter to minors." Zappa said that the PMRC's methods were equivalent to "treating dandruff with decapitation." >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Andrew - Tucson, AZ
  • He released at least 60 albums. Frank's album Apostrophe(') is his only album to puncture Billboard's Top 10. The title track on the album is an instrumental featuring drummer Jim Gordon and Cream bassist Jack Bruce. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Darrell - Kalkaska, MI
  • He has daughters named Moon Unit and Diva and sons named Dweezil and Ahmet.
  • Lowell George was one of Zappa's musicians before he formed Little Feat.
  • Zappa produced albums for Alice Cooper, Captain Beefheart, and Grand Funk.
  • Most of his songs were parodies, but the musicianship was so good that radio stations played them anyway.
  • He played a crime boss named "Mr. Frankie" on an episode of Miami Vice in 1986.
  • Zappa was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1991. He died two years later.
  • His album Jazz from Hell was the only instrumental album ever labeled with the PMRC's "Parental Advisory: Explicit Lyrics" label. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Adam - Dubois, IN
  • While playing The Rainbow in London in 1971, a man named Trevor Howell jumped onstage and attacked Zappa, knocking him into the orchestra pit 15 feet below. Along with a number of cuts, bruises, and broken bones, Zappa's Larynx was crushed, lowering the pitch of his voice by one third for the rest of his life. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Bob - Tokyo, Japan, for above 2
  • Zappa formed The Mothers of Invention in 1964. They released 3 albums before breaking up in 1969.
  • In one of Frank's last interviews with Jamie Gangel from NBC, when asked how he wanted to be remembered, he responded that he didn't want to be remembered at all. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Tom - Marble Falls, AR
  • Zappa was charged with "conspiracy to commit pornography" after he got caught in a sting operation in San Bernadino where a detective asked him to make an audio sex tape for $100. Zappa complied, but staged tape, using fake moans and other lascivious sounds. Without funds to mount a suitable legal defense, he pleaded no contest and served 10 days in jail. This made him a convicted felon, which came in handy because it exempted him from the draft, keeping him out of Vietnam.
  • Frank Zappa had a quilt made that was composed entirely of bras and panties that were thrown on stage during his 1981 tour.
  • Frank Zappa foresaw the possibility of holographic imagery. Back in the early 1970s, he recorded footage of himself with the intention of it being used when technology got to that point.
  • As a child, Frank Zappa suffered from severe asthma and, as he says in Alex Winter's 2020 documentary Zappa, he "almost checked out a few times." His family moved the family to California "for the air." Despite his condition, Frank was a lifetime smoker.

Comments: 19

  • John Gallagher from G43 2ngI also smoke and suffer from Asthma .
  • Sarah from Quincy, IlThe parental advisory on 'Jazz From Hell' was because of a song called 'G-Spot Tornado'. Huh?
  • Lester from New York City, NyHis son Dweezil can REALLY play guitar.
  • Sarah from Quincy, IlIn the late 1980s, Frank Zappa was on Larry King's radio show, and a caller said she and her husband had sent him an invitation to their wedding. They really didn't expect an RSVP, but he did sign the card and send it back. He wasn't able to attend. And I was in pharmacy school when he died.....the day we had a lecture about prostate cancer.
  • Barry from Gagetown Nb CanadaMy fave is "Live In New York"
    The Illinois Enema Bandit is gonna getcha !!
    Zappa RULES !!
    * ߪ??¥ *
  • Darrell from Kalkaska, MiThe only instrumental album that recieved the parental advisory sticker was "Jazz from Hell." just shows you how rediculous the PMRC was, huh?
  • Josh from New York, Nydoes any1 kno the name of zappa's instrumental album that got the parental advisory sticker anyway?
  • Buddy from Kalkaska, Mion the mountain of rock there is no place for zappa....he is on the cloud above them woth hendrix laughing and throwing rocks at the lower form of guitar life
  • Darrell from Kalkaska, MiFrank Zappa is the best guitarist and one of the best musicians to ever walk the Earth. He is the greatest influence on my playing and the one who inspired me to pick up a guitar in the first place. He is one of the few modern composers that was GENIOUS. FRANK ROCKS.
  • Thomas from Hartford, Dcsusie creamcheese was franks wife
  • Don from Pittsburgh, PaFrank Zappa, one of the most influential musicians ever. There is not enough room on this page to name all the players he influenced. Mike Portnoy, drummer for Dream Theatre, dedicated his playing on th album "Awake" to Zappa. Awesome musician period. Peace.
  • Charlie from Thomaston, Dcdoes anyone know some good zappa sites?

  • Travis from Orange, CaLike gag me with a spoon, and dont eat the yellow snow
  • Justin from Bakersfield, CaEric Burden said in his book that the mothers would all be getting high while they were praticing but the Zappa was clean most of the time.
  • Dan from West Harrison, NyAll of the musicians that played in his bands were highly skilled and many went on to have successful careers on their own (George Duke, Jean Luc-Ponty, Terry Bozzio, Vince Colaiuta).
  • Steve from Ashland, KyFrank was a musical genious! Most common humans cannot even begin to understand his brillance, and the influnce he had on music!
  • Herman from Chicago, IlHIS FIRST ALBUM,FREAK OUT,WITH THE MOTHERS OF INVENTION WAS A TOTAL MIND BLOWER BACK IN THE 60'S.I STILL THROW IT ON ONCE IN A WHILE.
  • Kris from Toronto, CanadaHe was quite possibly one of the smartest musicians of all time.
  • Don from Spokane, WaHe was also one of the greatest guitarists who ever lived
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