Frank Zappa
Frank Zappa
Musician · US · 1940–1993
Frank Zappa was an American musician known for his innovative and diverse musical styles, including rock, jazz, and experimental music.
Zappa produced over 60 albums during his career, showcasing his unique blend of musical genres and satirical commentary on American culture.
He received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing his significant contributions to music.
Biography
Early Life
Frank Vincent Zappa was born on December 21, 1940, in Baltimore, Maryland, into a diverse Italian-American family. His father, Francis Vincent Zappa, was a chemist and mathematician, and the family moved frequently due to his father's work in the defense industry. This unstable environment, coupled with Zappa's childhood illnesses, including asthma and sinus issues, shaped his artistic sensibilities. He was exposed to a variety of cultural influences, including avant-garde composers and blues musicians, which would later inform his eclectic musical style.
Career
Zappa's career spanned over three decades, during which he became a prolific composer, guitarist, and satirist. He formed the band the Mothers of Invention and released more than 60 albums, showcasing his unique blend of rock, jazz, and experimental music. His works, such as "Lumpy Gravy," "Hot Rats," and "Apostrophe (')", are characterized by their nonconformity and sonic experimentation. Zappa was not only a musician but also a filmmaker and activist, known for his sharp critiques of American culture and politics. He received numerous accolades, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Personal Life
Zappa was married twice, first to Kathryn J. "Kay" Sherman and later to Adelaide Gail Sloatman, with whom he had four children. His family played a significant role in his music, with his children contributing to his albums. Zappa was a vocal critic of drug prohibition and held progressive views on government and individual rights, often expressing his beliefs through his music and public appearances. He passed away on December 4, 1993, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most innovative and diverse musicians of his time.
Collected from open sources (4) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Discography
Boulez Conducts Zappa: The Perfect Stranger1984
- 1.Perfect Stranger12:44
- 2.Naval Aviation in Art?2:45
- 3.The Girl in the Magnesium Dress3:13
- 4.Outside Now Again4:06
- 5.Love Story0:59
- 6.Dupree’s Paradise7:54
- 7.Jonestown5:27
Francesco Zappa1984
- 1.String Trio, op. 1 no. 1: I. Andante3:32
- 2.String Trio, op. 1 no. 1: II. Allegro con brio1:27
- 3.String Trio, op. 1 no. 2: I. Andantino2:15
- 4.String Trio, op. 1 no. 2: II. Minuetto grazioso2:04
- 5.String Trio, op. 1 no. 3: I. Andantino1:52
- 6.String Trio, op. 1 no. 3: II. Presto1:51
- 7.String Trio, op. 1 no. 4: I. Andante2:20
- 8.String Trio, op. 1 no. 4: II. Allegro3:04
- 9.String Trio, op. 1 no. 5: II. Minuetto grazioso2:30
- 10.String Trio, op. 1 no. 6: I. Largo2:08
- 11.String Trio, op. 1 no. 6: II. Minuet2:03
- 12.String Trio, op. 4 no. 1: I. Andantino2:47
- 13.String Trio, op. 4 no. 1: II. Allegro assai2:02
- 14.String Trio, op. 4 no. 2: II. Allegro assai1:20
- 15.String Trio, op. 4 no. 3: I. Andante2:24
- 16.String Trio, op. 4 no. 3: II. Tempo di minuetto2:00
- 17.String Trio, op. 4 no. 4: I. Minuetto2:09
Thing‐Fish1984
- 1.Prologue2:57
- 2.The Mammy Nuns3:31
- 3.Harry & Rhonda3:37
- 4.Galoot Up‐Date5:27
- 5.The ‘Torchum’ Never Stops10:33
- 6.That Evil Prince1:18
- 7.You Are What You Is4:31
- 8.Mudd Club3:17
- 9.The Meek Shall Inherit Nothing3:15
- 10.Clowns On Velvet1:39
- 11.Harry‐As‐a‐Boy2:51
- 12.He’s So Gay2:47
- 13.The Massive Improve’lence5:08
- 14.Artificial Rhonda3:34
- 15.The Crab‐Grass Baby3:49
- 16.The White Boy Troubles3:33
- 17.No Not Now5:50
- 18.Briefcase Boogie4:10
- 19.Brown Moses3:02
- 20.Wistful Wit a Fist‐Full4:02
- 21.Drop Dead7:56
- 22.Won Ton On4:18
Them or Us1984
- 1.The Closer You Are2:55
- 2.In France3:33
- 3.Ya Hozna6:27
- 4.Sharleena4:33
- 5.Sinister Footwear II8:39
- 6.Truck Driver Divorce8:59
- 7.Stevie’s Spanking5:24
- 8.Baby, Take Your Teeth Out1:54
- 9.Marqueson’s Chicken7:34
- 10.Planet of My Dreams1:37
- 11.Be in My Video3:40
- 12.Them or Us5:23
- 13.Frogs With Dirty Little Lips2:43
- 14.Whippin’ Post7:32
The Man From Utopia1983
- 1.Cocaine Decisions2:57
- 2.The Dangerous Kitchen2:51
- 3.Tink Walks Amok3:39
- 4.The Radio Is Broken5:52
- 5.Mõggio2:35
- 6.The Man From Utopia Meets Mary Lou3:18
- 7.Stick Together3:40
- 8.SEX3:00
- 9.The Jazz Discharge Party Hats4:29
- 10.We Are Not Alone3:28
London Symphony Orchestra, Vol. I1983
- 1.Sad Jane9:55
- 2.Pedro’s Dowry (large orchestra version)10:26
- 3.Envelopes4:11
- 4.Mo ’n Herb’s Vacation: First Movement4:50
- 5.Mo ’n Herb’s Vacation: Second Movement10:05
- 6.Mo ’n Herb’s Vacation: Third Movement12:56
Ship Arriving Too Late to Save a Drowning Witch1982
- 1.No Not Now5:50
- 2.Valley Girl4:59
- 3.I Come From Nowhere6:20
- 4.Drowning Witch12:01
- 5.Envelopes2:44
- 6.Teen‐Age Prostitute2:40
Return of the Son of Shut Up ’n Play Yer Guitar1981
- 1.Beat It With Your Fist1:55
- 2.Return of the Son of Shut Up ’n Play Yer Guitar8:17
- 3.Pinocchio’s Furniture2:02
- 4.Why Can’t Johnny Read4:30
- 5.Stucco Homes9:09
- 6.Canard du jour9:55
Shut Up ’n Play Yer Guitar Some More1981
- 1.Variations on the Carlos Santana Secret Chord Progression3:52
- 2.Gee, I Like Your Pants2:30
- 3.Canarsie5:55
- 4.Ship Ahoy5:11
- 5.The Deathless Horsie6:10
- 6.Shut Up ’n Play Yer Guitar Some More6:42
- 7.Pink Napkins4:32
Shut Up ’n Play Yer Guitar1981
- 1.Five‐Five‐Five2:31
- 2.Hog Heaven2:44
- 3.Shut Up ’n Play Yer Guitar5:30
- 4.While You Were Out5:53
- 5.Treacherous Cretins5:26
- 6.Heavy Duty Judy4:35
- 7.Soup ’n Old Clothes7:40
You Are What You Is1981
- 1.Teen‐Age Wind3:12
- 2.Harder Than Your Husband2:36
- 3.Doreen5:00
- 4.Goblin Girl4:21
- 5.Theme From the 3rd Movement of Sinister Footwear3:40
- 6.Society Pages2:26
- 7.I’m a Beautiful Guy1:56
- 8.Beauty Knows No Pain2:51
- 9.Charlie’s Enormous Mouth3:46
- 10.Any Downers?2:08
- 11.Conehead4:15
- 12.You Are What You Is4:23
- 13.Mudd Club3:23
- 14.The Meek Shall Inherit Nothing2:57
- 15.Dumb All Over5:49
- 16.Heavenly Bank Account4:17
- 17.Suicide Chump3:00
- 18.Jumbo Go Away3:55
- 19.If Only She Woulda4:01
- 20.Drafted Again3:15
Sleep Dirt1979
Tracklist not collected yet.
Sheik Yerbouti1979
Tracklist not collected yet.
Orchestral Favorites1979
Tracklist not collected yet.
Joe’s Garage: Act I1979
Tracklist not collected yet.
Joe’s Garage: Acts II & III1979
- 1.A Token of My Extreme5:28
- 2.Stick It Out4:33
- 3.Sy Borg8:50
- 4.Dong Work for Yuda5:03
- 5.Keep It Greasey8:22
- 6.Outside Now5:52
- 7.He Used to Cut the Grass8:34
- 8.Packard Goose11:38
- 9.Watermelon in Easter Hay10:00
- 10.A Little Green Rosetta7:25
Studio Tan1978
Tracklist not collected yet.
Zoot Allures1976
Tracklist not collected yet.
One Size Fits All1975
Tracklist not collected yet.
Apostrophe (’)1974
Tracklist not collected yet.
Waka/Jawaka1972
Tracklist not collected yet.
Chunga’s Revenge1970
Tracklist not collected yet.
Hot Rats1969
Tracklist not collected yet.
Lumpy Gravy1968
Tracklist not collected yet.
Lumpy Gravy1967
Tracklist not collected yet.
Gallery
Label
- Record label
- Warner Bros. Records
- Record label
- Zappa Records
- Record label
- Rykodisc
- Record label
- DiscReet
- Record label
- Verve Records
- Record label
- Straight
- Record label
- Bizarre Records
- Record label
- Barking Pumpkin Records
Achievements
- Award
- Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award
- Award
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Influenced by
Groups
- Ned and Neldacurrent
- Ruben and the Jetscurrent
- The Midnighterscurrent
- The Mothers of Inventionguitar, lead vocals, original, spoken vocals · 1964–1975
Played together with
- Alan EstesThe Mothers of Invention · 1972–1972 · percussion
- Art TrippThe Mothers of Invention · 1968–1969 · drums (drum set)
- Billy MundiThe Mothers of Invention · 1966–1970 · drums (drum set)
- Bruce FowlerThe Mothers of Invention · 1973–1975 · trombone
- Bunk GardnerThe Mothers of Invention · 1966–1969 · woodwind
- Don PrestonThe Mothers of Invention · 1966–1974 · keyboard
- Don “Sugarcane” HarrisThe Mothers of Invention · 1970–1970 · violin
- Earle DumlerThe Mothers of Invention · 1972–1975
- Elliot IngberThe Mothers of Invention · 1966–1966 · guitar
George DukeThe Mothers of Invention · 1970–1975 · keyboard, synthesizer- Howard KaylanThe Mothers of Invention · 1970–1971 · lead vocals
- Ian UnderwoodThe Mothers of Invention · 1967–1973 · guitar, keyboard, woodwind
Similar artists
Archive
Passport
guitar, keyboard instrument, bass guitar, drum kit, voice, percussion instrument, Synclavier
Identifiers & aliases
Also known as: Frank Vincent Zappa, Frank Zappa & Ensemble Modern, LaMarr Bruister, Stucco Holmes, Zappa, Zappa, Frank
Frank Vincent Zappa was an American composer, songwriter, guitarist, conductor, actor, satirist, filmmaker, and activist. In a career spanning more than 30 years, Zappa composed rock, pop, jazz, jazz fusion, orchestral and musique concrète works; he additionally produced nearly all the 60-plus albums he released with his band the Mothers of Invention and as a solo artist. His discography is characterized by nonconformity, improvisation, sonic experimentation, musical virtuosity and satire of American culture. Zappa also directed feature-length films and music videos, and designed album covers. He is considered one of the most innovative and stylistically diverse musicians of his generation.
All links
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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