Was Frank Zappa better than Pink Floyd?

Question

So I had this argument with this hipster a little while ago and would like to know what anyone else thinks. This guy claims that Frank Zappa was a way better artist with more talent and better music than Pink Floyd. I told him he's been smoking too much catnip because Zappa was no where near as talented as the group Pink Floyd. What do you think?

Answer 1

zappa was more technically proficient, a gifted composer and bitter satirist. everything you heard with his name came out of his mind and his mind only. as far as musicianship goes, zappa was, in an academic sense, superior to pink floyd's members. who you personally like more is a childish thing to argue about though. shame on you

Answer 2

Frank Zappa Pink Floyd

Answer 3

My all time favorite band is Rush. I also like Pink Floyd and ELP a lot from this list. Genesis is good too. I am not a big fan of Yes. I am not very familiar with King Crimson. Rush are amazing live. I have seen them approx. 20 times and they are better now than 20 years ago. I saw Floyd live only once, but not with the true line-up. They were very good too, but I can only imagine what a true Floyd show would be like. BQ = Hemispheres album by Rush.

Answer 4

It depends on what you consider good. Zappa had one of the best bands ever. You had to be super talented and skilled to get into The Mothers of Invention. Zappa's music never spoke to me like Floyd, but I stopped listening to Floyd after The Wall came out anyway.

Answer 5

Your outlook upon this comparison is either obscured by clouds or your no relic.

Pink Floyd is a great band as I always liked them. There concerts are worthy of a gods view. But you are getting drilled here by the more learned R&P patrons. And righteously so.

I don't really ever visualize a guitar battle. But Zappa armed and dangerous, nose and hipster hair on face, would be the ultimate person to do battle with anyone.

You probably have only heard a few common played Zappa tunes. Yellow Snow, right?

I advise to: Dig Deeper.

Answer 6

I like Pink Floyd but Zappa had more talent in his little pinkie than all of Floyd put together.

Answer 7

i side with the hipster. its cool if you like pink floyd's music better, they were a great band. but if the criteria is talent and technical ability than it's zappa pretty easily. and no, david gilmour and roger waters could not out play zappa on the guitar, not even close.

Answer 8

They're both superior in quality.

Frank Zappa is without a doubt one of the most influential progressive rock/psychedelic rock/avant-garde musician of all time (well, was). Luckily we have Dweezil to carry on that genius. Unfortunately, when people think of Floyd, we don't think of comical music that was released by the likes Zappa.



Overall, I prefer Pink Floyd but I don't understand why we can't enjoy both bands equally. Unfortunately, I can't - I need to be in a certain mood to truly enjoy Frank Zappa's music, although I always enjoy his primarily jazz fusion albums.



Edit: It's funny that you think Roger Waters and David Gilmour could simply "beat" Zappa in a guitar battle. Truth is, Zappa is one of the greatest guitarists to ever live. Although I prefer Gilmour as a guitarist, I believe Zappa would come close to Gilmour; Waters, on the other hand, I believe, would get his as* handed to him.

Everyone's opinions are different. ;)

Answer 9

Though I like both, I'll have to agree with the hipster on this one. I could ramble on and on explaining the reasons why I think this...but why bother? Owning complete discographies and listening to each passionately for well over 40 years leads me to this. Those who own 4 Pink Floyd albums and 0 Frank Zappa albums might tend to disagree. Nuff said.

Answer 10

technically, Zappa can play circles around Gilmour. not even close to the same league of talent.

Answer 11

Frank Zappa had more talent than every member of Pink Floyd put together. Whether you like his music or not, he could play a good dozen instruments, composed all his own music of several different genres (including progressive rock, jazz, classical, and experimental), and also arranged several covers. He also conducted occasionally. And his improvisations live were absolutely phenomenal.

Answer 12

Pink Floyd easy, Frank Zappa covers up his lack of talent with a thick screen of humor and sarcasm

Answer 13

Frank who? Pink Floyd is legendary, there album DSOTM was on the Billboards top 100 for like 23 years. Zappa doesn't come close, it's all about David Gilmour baby!

Answer 14

Yes, but that's not saying much since he's the best musician since Beethoven.

Answer 15

You can't even describe how Pink Floyd is. Just AMAZING!

Answer 16

Apples and Oranges. Wasn't that the name of pink floyd song? :)

Answer 17

Pink Floyd is soooooo superior in every way

Answer 18

Couldn't be more agree! Pink Floyd is best!

Answer 19

frank zappa is hilarious

Answer 20

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heres the link



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H86nyvuSJ5I