Frank Zappa

Frank Vincent Zappa·United StatesUnited States· Baltimore

American composer, lyricist, songwriter, guitarist, vocalist, bandleader, conductor, producer, filmmaker. Born 21 December 1940 in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. Died 4 December 1993 in Los Angeles, California, USA. Frank Vincent Zappa was of Italian origin, his grandfather having arrived in America from Partinico, Sicily. Frank Zappa grew to be one of the most accomplished composers of the rock idiom, his music combining an understanding and appreciation for such contemporary classical figures as Igor Stravinsky, Karlheinz Stockhausen, and Edgard Varèse. These influences, coupled with an affection for late '50s doo-wop, rock & roll, and skillful guitar-heavy rock, dominated pop in the '70s. However, Zappa was also a keen satirist, whose reserves of scorn and parody seemed bottomless, and whose wicked sense of humor and absurdity continued to delight his numerous fans -- even when his lyrics crossed the broadest bounds of taste. Zappa was a prolific record-maker, astutely producing massive amounts of music on his own labels of Bizarre Records, Straight, and Barking Pumpkin Records. And through distribution deals with Rykodisc and Rhino Entertainment Company. This after long unhappy associations with industry giants like Warner Bros. Records and the now-defunct MGM. In the '80s, Zappa gained the rights to his old albums and began to reissue them, first on his own and then through Rykodisc. Throughout his recording career Zappa stayed consistently at the forefront of technology, investing in equipment, home-studio facilities and vault storage that would enable the fullest control over production of his works. In 1988 his official autobiography emerged and he embarked on a world tour. Sadly, that was the end of his live performing when, in late 1991, it was confirmed that Zappa was seriously ill with cancer. Nevertheless, his schedule of album releases continued to be rapid. The (ZFT) continued with his wife Gail Zappa (aka Pumpkin) as the figurehead of the ZFT, until her death in 2015. The ZFT produced numerous posthumous releases and remasters of the back catalog. The children inherited the ZFT and remain in the industry, Dweezil Zappa the force behind "Zappa Plays Zappa" as well as an accomplished guitarist in his own right; Moon Zappa, Diva Zappa and the more reserved Ahmet Zappa. Inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame in 1995 (Performer).

Discography

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Freak Out!

1966

Studio Album

Absolutely Free

1967

Studio Album

Lumpy Gravy Primordial

1967

Studio Album

We're Only In It For The Money

1968

Studio Album

Lumpy Gravy

1968

Studio Album

Cruising With Ruben & The Jets

1968

Studio Album

Hot Rats

1969

Studio Album

Uncle Meat

1969

Studio Album

Weasels Ripped My Flesh

1970

Studio Album

Chunga's Revenge

1970

Studio Album

Burnt Weeny Sandwich

1970

Studio Album

Live Jam

1972

Studio Album

Waka / Jawaka - Hot Rats

1972

Studio Album

The Grand Wazoo

1972

Studio Album

Over-Nite Sensation

1973

Studio Album

Apostrophe (')

1974

Studio Album

One Size Fits All

1975

Studio Album

Zoot Allures

1976

Studio Album

Studio Tan

1978

Studio Album

"Sheik Yerbouti" 'Clean Cuts'

1979

Studio Album

Joe's Garage Act 1

1979

Studio Album

Joe's Garage Acts II & III

1979

Studio Album

Sleep Dirt

1979

Studio Album

Orchestral Favorites

1979

Studio Album

You Are What You Is

1981

Studio Album

Shut Up 'N Play Yer Guitar

1981

Studio Album

Ship Arriving Too Late To Save A Drowning Witch

1982

Studio Album

The Man From Utopia

1983

Studio Album

The London Symphony Orchestra - Zappa Vol. 1

1983

Studio Album

Them Or Us

1984

Studio Album

The Perfect Stranger

1984

Studio Album

Thing-Fish

1984

Studio Album

Francesco Zappa

1984

Studio Album

Frank Zappa Meets The Mothers Of Prevention

1985

Studio Album

Jazz From Hell

1986

Studio Album

Zappa

1986

Studio Album

London Symphony Orchestra - Zappa Vol. II

1987

Studio Album

Zappa's Universe

1993

Studio Album

Civilization Phaze III

1994

Studio Album

Läther

1996

Studio Album

The Lost Episodes

1996

Studio Album

EIHN - Everything Is Healing Nicely

1999

Studio Album

Joe's Domage

2004

Studio Album

Joe's XMasage

2005

Studio Album

Greasy Love Songs

2010

Studio Album

"Congress Shall Make No Law . . ."

2010

Studio Album

Feeding The Monkies At Ma Maison

2011

Studio Album

Finer Moments

2012

Studio Album