Frank Zappa Was Born On December 21, 1940
By Marvin Marks on Dec 21, 2008 in Music Trivia
Frank Zappa was born on December 21st of 1940 in Baltimore, Maryland. Zappa died on December 4, 1993 at the age of 52.
While Zappa was never overwhelmingly commercially successful (his career best showing on the US album charts was 1974’s Apostrophe (’) which reached #10) he did create, and has maintained since his death, a substantial dedicated following along with much critical acclaim for his music. Zappa has also been extremely influential on many musicians.
Zappa worked in many different types of music including rock, jazz, experimental, and classical. He is well respected as one of the most inventive guitarists of all time, he was also a skilled player technically. Some of his albums feature nothing but guitar solos.
In all Zappa released 57 albums during his lifetime. Many more have been released since his death. As mentioned earlier, he was not particularly commercially successful but his first 32 albums all charted in the US (top 200.)
Where to start with Zappa? That’s difficult to say. It depends on what style of music you prefer. But my favorite album by him is probably 1969’s Uncle Meat. While Hot Rats (also from ‘69) is a good choice if you’re interested in his more jazz influenced music. Hot Rats was easily Zappa’s most successful album in the UK. It reached #9 on the UK album charts while no other album of his charted above #32 in the UK.
Zappa often included humor in his music which has unfortunately caused some people to dismiss him as a “joke” musician. This is a BS “opinion.” He was definitely not a joke. He was one of the most creative, original songwriters and guitarists of his (or any other) time.
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I have been a Zappa fan for many many years. Thanks for reminding us about him.
I did have a chance to meet and chat with Frank and several members of the Mothers while they were on tour back in the mid 70’s. I worked in the only New York pizza joint in Oklahoma City, called Hemi’s. One of our managers managed to get back stage and invited the entire band for free pizza (and of course free publicity for Hemi’s) I think they brought half the audience with them. The owners loved it and ended up getting a Zappa “bump” in local popularity after that.
I was a “cook” in the place, and had the chance to actually make Frank’s dinner (large cheese pie, with xtra cheese) and then had a chance to sit and chat with him a bit. I was a huge Zappa fan in those days and was able to talk to him about Roxy and Elsewhere, my personal all time Zappa album.
I was also able to play a game of pool with Napolean Murphy Brock in our small game room.
Talk about a fans dream come true.
They were all very gracious, and Frank blew everyone away when a local offered to “go outside for a smoke”. Frank looked up, and said “I don’t partake, ever…” but in a very nice way, no one was offended.
The night ended when they left in their custom Bus, which was festooned (on both sides) with a picture of a beaten up Dalmatian with a huge band aide on its thigh, and over it, in large french script the bus’s name - “Phydeaux”.
So, there’s my little Zappa story, thanks for sparking the memory.
Best regards and happy holidays,
Ak
Akbar Jamar | Dec 21, 2008 | Reply