Frank Zappa
Frank Vincent Zappa (December 21, 1940 – December 4, 1993) was an American musician and composer. He was known for his strange style of music, which was often weird and funny. He made various types of music and many albums. Zappa worked with many other musicans, most notably his 1960s group The Mothers of Invention[1] and his friend and blues singer Captain Beefheart. Some people think he is the best composer in popular music or even any non-classical music.
Frank Zappa | |
|---|---|
| File:Zappa 16011977 01 300.jpg Zappa in 1977 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Frank Vincent Zappa |
| Born | December 21, 1940 Baltimore, Maryland, US |
| Died | December 4, 1993 (aged 52) Los Angeles, California, US |
| Genres | Progressive rock, jazz, experimental rock, alternative rock, classical |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, producer |
| Instruments | Guitar, voice, bass, keyboards |
| Years active | 1950s–1993 |
| Website | Zappa.com |
Zappa was born in Baltimore, Maryland, but spent most of his life in Southern California. He grew up in Baltimore, in Florida, and in Monterey, Claremont and El Cajon, California. His mother was of French and Italian descent; his father was an immigrant from Sicily. Zappa had four children with his wife Gail. They gave them all very unusual names: Moon Unit, Dweezil, Ahmet, and Diva.
Zappa was openly against drugs, Televangelism, and censoring music. He often tried to see what he could get away with.
Zappa died from prostate cancer in Los Angeles, California.
Frank Zappa Media
- Frank Zappa HS Yearbook.jpg
Zappa's senior yearbook photo, 1958
- The Mothers of Invention (1968).jpg
Zappa (back) with the Mothers, 1968
- Frank Zappa, 1970 - 19.jpg
Frank Zappa, 1970
- Frank Zappa Mothers of Invention 1971.JPG
Zappa with the Mothers, 1971
- Frank-Zappa in glory.jpg
Zappa on Stage in Hamburg, December 1971
- Frank Zappa giving the finger.jpg
Zappa giving the finger during a show in Hamburg, September 1974
- Frank Zappa - Capt. Beefheart - crop.jpg
Zappa with Captain Beefheart, seated left, during a 1975 concert
- Frank Zappa in Toronto, Sept. 24 1977.jpg
Records on wheels, Toronto, sept. 24 1977
- Zappa-buffalo-ny.jpg
Zappa performing at the Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, 1980. The concert was released in 2007 as Buffalo.
- Frank Zappa 1973.JPG
Photo of Frank Zappa performing.
Other websites
Notes
- ↑ Hear Frank Zappa (music and interviews) on the Pop Chronicles (1969).