Frank Zappa
Date of birth: 1940-12-21
Place of birth: Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Known for: Acting
Also known as: Zappa, FZ, Френк Заппа, 法蘭克札帕
Biography
Frank Vincent Zappa (December 21, 1940 – December 4, 1993) was an American composer, singer-songwriter, electric guitarist, record producer and film director. In a career spanning more than 30 years, Zappa wrote rock, jazz, electronic, orchestral and musique concrète works. He also directed feature-length films and music videos, and designed album covers. Zappa produced almost all of the more than 60 albums he released with the band The Mothers of Invention and as a solo artist. While in his teens, he acquired a taste for percussion-based avant-garde composers such as Edgard Varèse and 1950s rhythm and blues music. He began writing classical music in high school, while at the same time playing drums in rhythm and blues bands; he later switched to electric guitar. He was a self-taught composer and performer, and his diverse musical influences led him to create music that was often impossible to categorize. His 1966 debut album with The Mothers of Invention, Freak Out!, combined songs in conventional rock and roll format with collective improvisations and studio-generated sound collages. His later albums shared this eclectic and experimental approach, irrespective of whether the fundamental format was one of rock, jazz or classical. He wrote the lyrics to all his songs, which—often humorously—reflected his iconoclastic view of established social and political processes, structures and movements. He was a strident critic of mainstream education and organized religion, and a forthright and passionate advocate for freedom of speech, self-education, political participation and the abolition of censorship. Zappa was a highly productive and prolific artist and gained widespread critical acclaim. Many of his albums are considered essential in rock and jazz history. He is regarded as one of the most original guitarists and composers of his time. He also remains a major influence on musicians and composers. He had some commercial success, particularly in Europe, and for most of his career was able to work as an independent artist. Zappa was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995 and received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997. Zappa was married to Kathryn J. "Kay" Sherman from 1960 to 1964. In 1967, he married Adelaide Gail Sloatman, with whom he remained until his death from prostate cancer in 1993. They had four children: Moon Unit, Dweezil, Ahmet Emuukha Rodan and Diva Thin Muffin Pigeen. Gail Zappa manages the businesses of her late husband under the name the Zappa Family Trust. Description above from the Wikipedia article Frank Zappa, licensed under CC-BY-SA,full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Movie Credits
Sex in Today's World
1967-01-11
An examination of changing sexual attitudes in the United States, including comments on the personal
Inside Pop: The Rock Revolution
1967-04-25
Documentary about young pop and rock musicians producing music as "a symptom and generator" of socia
Frank Zappa – Summer '82: When Zappa Came to Sicily
2014-10-05
In the feature documentary, Summer 82 – When Zappa Came to Sicily, filmmaker and Zappa fan Salvo Cuc
Video from Hell
1987-02-28
In a little over an hour, 'VIDEO FROM HELL' provides a preview of current and projected Honker relea
Frank Zappa filmt 200 Motels
1971-12-23
Making of "200 Motels".
Cheepnis
2014-08-17
Featuring the only footage Zappa cut together from his legendary 1973 Roxy concerts, "Cheepnis" sing
200 Motels
1971-11-10
"Touring makes you crazy," Frank Zappa says, explaining that the idea for this film came to him whil
Frank Zappa: The Torture Never Stops
2008-05-01
Halloween, New York City, 1981 Live at The Palladium with Ray White, Steve Vai, Bobby Martin, Tommy
Frank Zappa: New York and Elsewhere
1980-06-01
Frank Zappa: New York & Elsewhere is an Austrian released TV documentary directed in 1980 by Rudi Do
Frank Zappa: The Present-Day Composer Refuses To Die
2000-07-02
Frank Zappa: The Present-Day Composer Refuses To Die is a 2000 documentary about Frank Zappa.
Frank Zappa: Phase II - The Big Note
2002-06-20
Frank Zappa: Phase Two is a 2002 documentary about Frank Zappa. It features a lot of footage from Sc
Burnt Weeny Sandwich
1969-04-30
A film by Frank Zappa made for the Dilexi Foundation on KQED
Zapped: Frank Zappa par Frank Zappa
2016-01-01
Documentary on Frank Zappa.
Hey, Hey, We're The Monkees
1997-01-22
Documentary focusing The Monkees, the 1960s pop group originally created for a TV sitcom. Interviews
Funny
1988-04-01
People are asked to tell their favorite jokes.
Deep Purple: Made In Japan
1972-04-30
Made in Japan was recorded live over three nights during 15–17 August 1972 at Festival Hall, Osaka a
Fuck
2006-11-10
A documentary on the expletive's origin, why it offends some people so deeply, and what can be gaine
Super Duper Alice Cooper
2014-04-17
Emerging from the Detroit music scene of the 1970s in a flurry of long hair and sequins, Alice Coope
Made in Japan: The Rise of Deep Purple Mk II
2014-09-12
Deep Purple is one of the most influential and important guitar bands in history, one of the godfath
EAV Rarities
2006-02-10
This recording is a rarity documentary about the EAV. The recording was released in 2006 on the DVD
Hollywood Rocks the Movies: The 1970s
2002-08-30
A look at "rock and roll" and other pop music based film of the 1970s.
Led Zeppelin Played Here
2014-10-11
1969. Man lands on the moon. Half a million strong at Woodstock....and Led Zeppelin perform in the g
Feats First: The Life and Music of Lowell George
2015-03-23
This film, the first ever to chronicle Lowell George's life, music and career, uses archive footage
Stupor Mundi: Livre 1, Rituel de décapitation du pape
2016-03-13
A mental journey - historical, political, musical and metaphysical - in contemporary times, from the
Head
1968-11-06
In this surrealistic and free-form follow-up to the Monkees' television show, the band frolic their
Frank Zappa: Music In Review
2008-02-05
Idiosyncratic composer, unique musician and ground-breaking film director ..Frank Zappa packed more
A Life of Extravaganza - The Genius Frank Zappa
1993-01-01
The documentary examines Frank Zappa and his music through archive footage, including unique video e
Tom Arnold: The Naked Truth
1991-04-01
Tom sets out to solve world problems, with help from Frank Zappa, Martin Mull, and wife Roseanne.
Yoko Ono: This Is Not Here
1972-05-11
On John's 31st birthday, Yoko held an art exhibit, "This Is Not Here", at the Everson Museum of Art
The Rolling Stones - The First 20 Years
1982-01-01
Documentary about the first 20 years of the Rolling Stones with interviews and a lot of rare archive
Amougies (Music Power - European Music Revolution)
1970-05-01
A film by Jerome Laperrousaz, showing the festival at Amougies, October 1969.
Take Your Pills
2018-03-09
In a hypercompetitive world, drugs like Adderall offer students, athletes, coders and others a way t
Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice
2019-09-06
With one of the most memorably stunning voices that has ever hit the airwaves, Linda Ronstadt burst
Echo in the Canyon
2019-05-24
A look at the roots of the historic music scene in L.A.'s Laurel Canyon featuring the music of iconi
Larry Flynt for President
2021-06-12
Assembled from never before seen footage shot in 1983, this film documents controversial Hustler mag
The Amazing Mr. Bickford
1987-01-01
Several pieces of Frank Zappa's music are set against clay animation by Bruce Bickford.
Classic Albums: Frank Zappa - Apostrophe (') Over-Nite Sensation
2007-05-01
This episode focuses on Zappa's early 70s albums, Overnight Sensation (1973) and Apostrophy (') (197
Frank Zappa: Does Humor Belong in Music?
1985-08-26
Frank Zappa and his band in a digitally recorded live performance at "The Pier" in New York, NY on A
Night Flight with Frank Zappa, Porn Wars
1985-09-19
Frank Zappa stopped by the Night Flight studios in 1985 to talk about music videos, censorship, the
Frank Zappa: Baby Snakes
1979-12-21
Rock artist Frank Zappa hosts a concert in New York City. This movie contains tons of on-stage foota
Frank Zappa: We Don't Mess Around
1978-08-08
Tracklisting: 1. Pound for a Brown 2. Baby Snakes 3. Deathless Horsie 4. Dancin' Fool 5. Easy M
Uncle Meat
1987-01-01
This is a documentary about an unfinished movie. Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention try to fil
Frank Zappa: The Broadcast Archives
2008-04-01
Frank Zappa - The Broadcast Archives is a collection of live performances from the master of experim
Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention: In the 1960's
2009-01-20
Here's the most detailed, informative, fascinating Zappa & the Mothers doc yet! Their restless exper
Frank Zappa - Live in Paris 1980
2008-06-12
Recorded Live in Paris in 1980, this is a rare recording of Frank Zappa performing at the peak of hi
The Big T.N.T. Show
1965-12-22
Live performances by some of the top rock-and-roll acts of the mid 60s. Includes Ray Charles, The By
The Velvet Underground
2021-10-15
Experience the iconic rock band's legacy in the first major documentary to tell their story. Directe
Stupor Mundi: Livre 2, Les Hommes qui mangèrent la montagne
2016-03-13
A mental journey - historical, political, musical and metaphysical - in contemporary times, from the
Kalvøyafestivalen - 50 år siden første riff
2021-12-13
In 1971, the Kalvøya adventure started with shows, jazz and folk rock and the festival developed int
The Art of Dissent
2021-10-05
"The Art of Dissent" celebrates the resilience and power of artistic engagement in Czechoslovakia be
Manson: Music from an Unsound Mind
2019-08-13
The untold story of Charles Manson's obsession to become a rock star, his rise in the LA music scene
Hart & Soul - The Hart Family Anthology
2010-04-06
Hart & Soul: The Hart Family Anthology is a documentary produced and released by WWE Home Video in c
Stupor Mundi: Book 3, The Most Dangerous Encounter
2019-09-19
The 1990s to the present, through the main wars of the last decades - from Iraq to Libya - but also
An American Dissident: un tributo a Frank Zappa
1994-01-07
An American Dissident: un tributo a Frank Zappa is an Italian documentary that aired on the Videomus
Frank Zappa: The Dub Room Special!
1982-06-01
Produced by Frank Zappa in 1982, The Dub Room Special combines footage from a performance at the KCE
The True Story of Frank Zappa's 200 Motels
1988-01-01
A one-hour documentary on the making of Frank Zappa's bizarre 1971 comic musical. Vintage private fo
Frank Zappa: A Token of His Extreme
2005-08-02
From "The Dub Room Special": 1.Approximate (3:56) 2.Cosmik Debris (5:14) 3.Room Service (5:58) N
Frank Zappa - John, Dan And Me
2004-01-01
1976/12/12 tv-show "saturday night live" opening credits i'm the slime purple lagoon the killer
Rock this Town
2022-03-24
An insider’s look into the gritty reality of building the local live music scene, Rock This Town bri
Frank Zappa: A Token Of His Extreme
2013-06-03
Frank Zappa: A Token of his Extreme is the 1974 television special recorded at Kcet in Hollywood tha
Classic Albums: Frank Zappa & The Mothers Of Invention - Freak Out!
2021-10-08
This programme tells the story behind the conception, recording and release of this groundbreaking a
Frank Zappa: Live in Barcelona
1988-01-01
Frank Zappa's May 17, 1988 concert performance was captured and broadcast by Televisión Española. N
Frank Zappa: Peefeeyatko
1991-01-01
For the past ten years Zappa in composing has turned away from Rock and Roll music - for which he fi
All My Loving
1968-11-03
Originally a BBC documentary, this film by Tony Palmer about the 1960's music scene was later releas
Cocaine Blues
1983-01-02
A look at the problems associated with cocaine use, including the toll it takes, not only on the use
The Male Swagger
Film about male swagger.
Porridge and kerosene
1997-03-18
Mats Öberg, born 1971 in Umeå, Sweden, has been living in Stockholm for many years, where he moved w
The Revenge of the Dead Indians
1993-01-01
This is a full-length documentary honoring the life and work of American composer and artist John Ca
Frank Zappa & the Mothers of Invention - The Lost Broadcast: The Beat Club '68
2016-01-01
This DVD contains a filmed rehearsal of Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention at the legendary Be
Steve Vai - His First 30 Years: The Documentary
2022-09-07
This is the first documentary covering Steve Vai's life from 1960 to 1990. (Co-written by Steve Vai.
Your vote
1991-01-01
Educational film convincing kids to vote, hosted by Frank Zappa.
From Straight to Bizarre
2012-02-21
Documentary about the rise and fall of Frank Zappa's record labels, Bizarre and Straight which featu
The Wrecking Crew
2008-03-11
A celebration of the musical work of a group of session musicians known as "The Wrecking Crew." a ba
Frank Zappa & The Mothers: Roxy: The Movie
2015-09-10
A Frank Zappa show goes way beyond a mere concert – it is an experience…a flight of improvisation, m
Eat That Question: Frank Zappa in His Own Words
2016-05-03
Utilizing potent TV interviews and many forgotten performances from his 30-year career, we are immer
Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention: Live at Whisky a Go Go 1968
2024-06-21
Shot on July 23, 1968, this historical 16mm footage of Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention at W
Frank Zappa: A Day With Frank
1971-02-11
The Documentary centers around Zappa at home, and on Tour. The amazing thing is that Zappa allowed a
Frank Zappa: A Pioneer of the Future of Music
2007-04-22
Frank Scheffer's (collage like) documentary on the American composer and rock guitarist Frank Zappa,
The Boy Who Left Home to Find Out About the Shivers
1984-09-17
An intelligent, fearless boy living in a superstitious Transylvanian village goes out into the world
The Artist Formerly Known As Captain Beefheart
1997-08-19
Elaine Shepherd’s classic BBC documentary, introduced and narrated by John Peel. Completely wonderf
You Are What You Eat
1968-09-24
A montage of the weird, a freak-out film that appeared when the expression was in fashion and in flo
Marian Briozzo
2018-04-19
Influential animator, Hungarian immigrant and lifelong Frank Zappa enthusiast Gábor Csupó recounts h
Mondo Hollywood
1967-06-30
Long considered a cult classic, "Mondo Hollywood" captures the underside of Hollywood by documenting
Služební cesta podporučíka Svěráka
1989-01-01
The Yellow Shark
1992-09-17
This live recording was culled from seven September 1992 concerts given in Vienna, Berlin, and Frank
Decade
1989-12-09
Interviews with personalities including John Mellencamp, Spike Lee, Lou Reed, Roseanne Barr, David B
Derailroaded
2005-03-01
A documentary on the life and music of manic-depressive, paranoid-schizophrenic cult music icon Wild
Frank Zappa: The Freak Out List
2010-04-19
On the liner notes to Freak Out!, the 1967 debut album by Zappa's original band the Mothers of Inven
Zappa
2020-11-27
With the help of more than 10,000 dedicated Zappa fans, this is the long-awaited definitive document
Frank Zappa - Over-Nite Sensation
1973-09-01
Cover Your Ears
2023-05-08
When does art become obscenity? Cover Your Ears takes a close look at this question through the lens
Pražákům, těm je hej
1991-04-01
The story begins in 1984 in Prague, Czechoslovakia, few years before the end of Communist era. The b
Pink Floyd: Amougies Pop Festival
1970-05-01
Actuel Festival, Mont de lnclus, Amougies, Belgium 25 October, 1969, was restored from The Early Ye
Frank Zappa, John Lennon & Yoko Ono: At Fillmore East
1971-06-06
Video of the famous performance released by both Zappa and Lennon
Frank Zappa: Opopoppa Stockholm, Sweden
1973-09-10
TV concert from Zappa, footage from the warm-up was also tapped
Frank Zappa: Roxy, 1973
2007-04-01
On April 1, 2007, Zappa.com unveiled a redesigned website, which included the 30-minute segment from
Frank Zappa: Cheaper Than Cheep
2025-05-09
The 1974 unreleased made-for-TV concert movie ‘Cheaper Than Cheep’ is finally being released 50 year