Not knowing about him might be a generational thing?
If you went to shows in the late 1960's . . who could forget the Mothers of
Invention when they would come out during their early concerts dressed in
women's under garments? It was a turn off to me at the time. I thought it
was so stupid and as such I wondered if their behaviour was not a cover up
for lack of talent?
He got his first TV appearance on late night TV playing a bicycle with drum
sticks. . Steve Allan Show. Why Allan would have him on his show doing
something that came off as being that ridiculous,, I have no idea.
In the years to follow, after the Mother's were taken more seriously, Frank
conducted the Philharmonic Orchestra and was considered by many to be a
musical genius. His songs were very eclectic and different, chasing
different rhythms and melodies . .including everything from jazz to early
vocal harmony rock and roll from the 50's. His music was also laced with
strange humor . . often with a political twist.
Steve Vai got his start playing guitar for Frank. And Steve has recently
joined back with some of the early band members, now headed by Franks son
Dweezil, as they play tribute concerts across the country.
Dweezil recently got a Grammy Nomination in the category of Best Rock
Instrumental Performance for FZ's "The Deathless Horsie."
It takes an acquired taste to get into his music (my take as I was never a
huge fan of his eclectic sound). But I do respect his musical abilities.
Frank passed away due to cancer about a few years ago. He continued to
smoke till his last day once telling Diane Sawyer in an interview, while he
was suffering, that he kept smoking "because he needed to get his
vegetables."
It can be said that FZ did his own thing musically. . never paying
attention to the musical trends that were around him.
http://www.zappa.com/flash/hammersmithodeon/index.html
Kirk Hargreaves
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