What made Frank Zappa so undescribably amazing?

Question

I think one of the most interesting things was that he was utterly straight edge. Those of us who know his music best possibly did a double-take at that one. "Black Napkins?" No drugs involved? Say WHAT???

He was also a straight up dictator when it came to the music. I was discussing Zappa with my former philosophy professor at an environmentalist retreat, while passing 'round the corn whiskey [yes, I know, my life is awesome] and he told us about a Zappa show he intended in college. One of his singers was off by one tiny little note during a song.

Frank shoots this LOOK at the vocalist, jerks his hand in the air to say "STOP," and the whole band ceases IMMEDIATELY. The song is paused. Apparently Frank shoots the ICIEST look at the vocalist, as if to say "We're going to start again, and this time...DO IT RIGHT." They start up again, and the vocalist does it as Frank commanded, and they go from there.

Just paraphrasing, but this is what that professor told me he experienced.

If Frank didn't have the song the way he wanted it, down to the very, very last specific, perfect detail, he was NOT satisfied.

And of course...the names he gave his children. A man who names his son Dweezil is a ******* genius, I don't care what anyone says.

Thoughts? Zappa/Mothers of Invention experiences?

We REALLY need some love for the legendary Frank Zappa on this board. I'm not so sure half the kids even know who he is or what he contributed. We can't let him fade from our lives, people. Keep the spirit alive!

Share something with me.

Answer 1

I am definitely ready for Frank Zappa to not be dead anymore.



I've read he rehearsed his bands 8 hours a day or more. They talk about in his auto/biographies. Thing is any Zappa tune you hear could be culled from any number of sources. That is what he would do in his "Muffin Utility Research Kitchen." He would find his favorite moments from how ever many recordings he had of a song, be it live or in a studio, and he would splice/mix them together to get the perfect track for an album. That's why he demanded such perfection from his musicians. He had to have the song right every time. If the guitar was a semitone off or the beat was fast by 1 or 2 bpm it would be more difficult to match it to any other recording.



The last 30 minutes or so of Baby Snakes is as good as music gets.

Answer 2

Well he made his band practice somewhere in the region of 10 hours every day. and he showed that pedanticness you mentioned.

Answer 3

Short and simple: The 'stache.

Answer 4

i can't even describe!