When you look up 'cool' in a dictionary you will find a picture of Jimi Hendrix, and if you look really close he's holding up a picture of Frank Zappa.
FZ was an off the charts musical genius. It amazes me that he can still be somewhat charming and respectful when being interviewed by people who aren't really musically inclined/educated. The interviewer and FZ both seemed to keep it going well enough.
Typical no-bullshit interview from FZ. I always think of Frank as the big brother I wish I had, even though I'm older now than he was when he died. I've learnt so much from listening to Zappa over 40 years I couldn't imagine my life without his influence. My hero, and always will be.
Frank seems to have no use for cordiality. I wonder if he was like this all the time (doubtful) or just in interviews? He seems to loathe interviews. It's so interesting to observe his social style/behavior. I really respect how honest he is. He doesn't care at all what people think of him. That is very admirable.
He wasn't a bad interviewer though. I think Frank seemed to enjoy talking to him- you can tell he was amused *with* the guy, and not *at* him, a few times...
I'd never seen this interview till now. Frank never compromised. Interviewers were always hoping he would, and he never did. They must have hated interviewing him. He had balls made of steel.
C-SPAN 3 is especially good on the weekends AMERICAN HISTORY TV . I sort of feel validated that FRANK ZAPPA liked the same programming I do .and we're both Italian. never saw him live .lost out there. I'll have to live vicariously thru my good friend and guitar fanatic Bob, who did see him AND ALAN HOLDSWORTH of whom he is a big fan. rest easy Frank, where ever you are.
Anthony Firmin He mentioned Holdsworth in soooo many interviews. He also gave props to EVH- said he liked the fact that his style was unforced and uncotrived.
And did you know that all his childrens relationships suffer because they atheists and the people they love are Jews and Christians It has torn their relationships apart.
Love Frank mostly for his personality and philosophy. At this time, he must have known or felt some health problems were afoot but probably put off going to the doctor and getting tests done. I suppose smoking ciggies and maybe drinking cokes or something like that helped to compromise his system. He was doing something a lot to die so young or family history. And diet clues?
It's actually a fair interview. Zappa was being himself at this point. That whole thing about taking humans out of music is funny, but nowadays the programming in the studio is not a joke. Sure, it's fine if you have an idea of some kind of benevolent "composer" (yup, I'm replacing god with a composer). But what if it's some jerk in a studio hammering out beats and electropop melodic lines? Hmm. A fun interview.
The interviewer seemed like wanting to accomodate the man. I don't know why Frank was so frosty. He might have had his reasons, but he just seemed unnecessarily cold.
I'm sure he's a nice fellow, and he knows how to handle a guitar, but he is in the unfortunate position of being completely eclipsed by his father, which is the curse of being the son of a great man. But I was thiiis close to going to a guitar seminar he held a couple of years back way up in the Catskill mountains. But then I imagined myself lugging a big guitar box around in the wilderness and thought the better of it. Do you play an instrument?
Yes and I blame my mother who was clearly off her rocker. Or maybe she wanted a boy instead of a girl. But I play the drums. Been playing for the last several decades In fact I still have a cheap ass drum set, that I have to drag all over the effin place so no sympathy for your little guitar. Whoops, sorry we don't know each other well enough for me to verbally abuse you. So anyway , I'm like "Thanks Mom"...couldn't teach me to play the flute?" I call myself a musicologist. Stopped listening to Corporate-manufactured music around 1990 when I stopped liking it. They still call it rock and roll but it lost its edge a long time ago. I have around eleven thousand songs on my hard drive and I know lyrics, artists and titles very well from the late 50's to 1990. I'm proud of my musical knowledge but it don't pay well as an avocation.. I fell in love with Frank when I first heard "The Mother's Live at the Fillmore East" album doing acid in a little park in my home town, back in Dayton Ohio in 1969. Saw Dweezil a couple of years back. And if you closed yours eyes, you'd swear you were listening to Frank. Wow....that's enough about me. I like your page. It is more music than some of the other communities. enough about me....thanks for asking. And you?
Hi. I sent you something at the other post but there is something screwing up with this system, so I don't know if you got it. It's hella fun to play the drums, though. Do you have to schlepp them around a lot?
I liked how he said that people should let their kid choose their religion...based on the data they have ..or not choose it... I grew up Lutheran..and although the bible stories were entertaining.. I have kinda become more spiritual.. as in there is something above us, but we don't know the name for it...them etc.. A "higher intelligence".. Zappa was a cool cat.. :-)
Why this interviewer even try's to understand Zappa?He have no clue whatsoever. They are not in same level(attitude,brains,free mind ext). Frank is always opposite what a journalist want he to be.
9:40 Zappa showing the ugly control freak side. 'Employee musicians'? Ironic that he complained about artists who don't need to play to have success - and yet he's excluding real musicians by using the Synclavier, because 'the human element' is the big problem. Ego can really wreck you. Even lead to physical disease.
When you look up 'cool' in a dictionary you will find a picture of Jimi Hendrix, and if you look really close he's holding up a picture of Frank Zappa.
***** Steve McQueen holding up the Zappa picture?
His kid's name thing, is so tired; can these idiots, simply talk about something else?
Sven Jansen yup!
Your beautiful
Out of all the mindless interviews frank had to endure in his lifetime, this one was done with respect and dignity.
"Ok Harry, see ya!"
I really enjoyed this, Frank's really affable & the interviewer definitely isn't an idiot.
smoking and bare chested on breakfast television, you had it good Frank
'The Real Frank Zappa' ( Autobiography ) is a must for Zappa fans.. I've read it twice... you will get a real insight into Frank.
He might be the coolest, smartest, kindest dude ever. I cannot get enough Zappa!
amazing how much more relaxed TV interviews were back then
Just a skype call in the 80's
FZ was an off the charts musical genius. It amazes me that he can still be somewhat charming and respectful when being interviewed by people who aren't really musically inclined/educated. The interviewer and FZ both seemed to keep it going well enough.
A true genius in every sense of the word .
Typical no-bullshit interview from FZ. I always think of Frank as the big brother I wish I had, even though I'm older now than he was when he died. I've learnt so much from listening to Zappa over 40 years I couldn't imagine my life without his influence. My hero, and always will be.
Always enjoyed his uncompromising interviews...A true musical genius who created his own timeless genre...
I have utmost respect for Zappa. Even though we view music completely differently, the man truly was a genius.
'thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns' seen at 8:20 as soon as FZ close up at synclavier
We miss Frank sooo much !
Only Frank Zappa could make watching C-SPAN sound badass...
Frank seems to have no use for cordiality. I wonder if he was like this all the time (doubtful) or just in interviews? He seems to loathe interviews.
It's so interesting to observe his social style/behavior. I really respect how honest he is. He doesn't care at all what people think of him. That is very admirable.
Total musical genius, and despite some things I have heard, a real, real NICE guy who happened to live for the one thing he loved. MUSIC is best.
I liked the interviewer too. There was a bit of sparing but it was all in fun. Harry had a few zingers. "That song everyone's humming to work" Classic
He wasn't a bad interviewer though.
I think Frank seemed to enjoy talking to him- you can tell he was amused *with* the guy, and not *at* him, a few times...
He mentioned Holdsworth on national TV
+alterdestiny Who gives a shit about who doesn't give a shit?
alterdestiny I do
Didn't just mention him - cited him as his favourite guitarist.... Which is interesting despite what archtroll alterdestiny feigns to believe.
Sentient beings.
* *alterdestiny* * - Obviously, you know nothing of music or play a musical instrument. WTF's wrong with you?
He was always the coolest person in the room. He once said that tobacco was his favorite vegetable.
+Zugbruck Musik And you think that was wise?
He was the coolest and probably the smartest person in the room, yet maybe not the wisest in his health decisions.
I'd never seen this interview till now. Frank never compromised. Interviewers were always hoping he would, and he never did. They must have hated interviewing him. He had balls made of steel.
ok harry see ya
'Rasputin of rock n' roll'. Amazing!
I would prefer the Tesla of music invention
A Great Man....
C-SPAN 3 is especially good on the weekends AMERICAN HISTORY TV . I sort of feel validated that FRANK ZAPPA liked the same programming I do .and we're both Italian. never saw him live .lost out there. I'll have to live vicariously thru my good friend and guitar fanatic Bob, who did see him AND ALAN HOLDSWORTH of whom he is a big fan. rest easy Frank, where ever you are.
I love Frank.
Bloody hell..... Allan Holdsworth name checked by Frank Zappa, nearly fell off my chair!!
Anthony Firmin He mentioned Holdsworth in soooo many interviews. He also gave props to EVH- said he liked the fact that his style was unforced and uncotrived.
Zappa knows his shit, man. :)
This isn't the only time FZ mentioned Holdsworth in interviews.
definitely a great interview, very frank. thx. arrrrfff!
Frank was a SICK.... ly young boy
MAN THIS GUY IS SO COOL.....WOW....FUNNY....HE CAN PLAY AND COMPOSE...BUT HE SURE IS COOL....
Thanks for that Shaun! I don't think I had ever see this one...
The goat.
Notice how Harry Smith is nervously playing with his ink pen during the interview? Lol
5:11 priceless
Word processor for music, well-said. MBB
More genius,thank you !
Not surprising Zappa would enjoy Holdsworth. I wonder what he thought about Robert Fripp or if he ever met him.
I remember he mentioned somewhere that he's never heard of Robert Fripp
Yeah I think he The Great Frank Zappa would have loved Robert Fripp!
Great Post!!
Zappa was like a psychadelic dj
"Best education: Keep children away from religion...." - more to say?!? :-)
+Arno Winter there's nothing wrong w/religion..the problem isn't God, it's people
+Arno Winter Awesome.............
People should not be forced to have religion, as it creates rebellion against it and where people do not understand it.
And did you know that all his childrens relationships suffer because they atheists and the people they love are Jews and Christians It has torn their relationships apart.
he's no Rebecca Black
Thanks Tom!
Thank You :)
So, network morning shows used to feature true artists, not just morning concerts of Lady Goo Goo?
badass.
Ok Harry. See ya!
"Music is just noise" FZ
the man who always endures fucing shits.crazy patience
Who do you like, who do you respect?
Give me a classification.
Classic.
GOSH Dweezil was a _BEAUTIFUL_ child!
''lets be FRANK...'' miss him'
lol, awesome video.
Love Frank mostly for his personality and philosophy. At this time, he must have known or felt some health problems were afoot but probably put off going to the doctor and getting tests done. I suppose smoking ciggies and maybe drinking cokes or something like that helped to compromise his system. He was doing something a lot to die so young or family history. And diet clues?
While I don't always agree with Frank's political views, I do appreciate his ascerbic whit.
Frank already looked and sounded pretty ill at this point.
+MrMariodave Really? I didn't think he looked ill at all. In fact, it looked as though he'd coloured his hair unless it was the dark room.
It's actually a fair interview. Zappa was being himself at this point. That whole thing about taking humans out of music is funny, but nowadays the programming in the studio is not a joke. Sure, it's fine if you have an idea of some kind of benevolent "composer" (yup, I'm replacing god with a composer). But what if it's some jerk in a studio hammering out beats and electropop melodic lines? Hmm. A fun interview.
nice lead, Frank.
RIP
Hey,what's the live & song at 00:37 ?
Cheers
YES! LORD!
The comment "you look well" may have been a little premature... I'm not sure if he knew he was sick at this stage? :-/
I can't believe he's not even listened to Philip Glass - at least give it a try!
The interviewer seemed like wanting to accomodate the man. I don't know why Frank was so frosty. He might have had his reasons, but he just seemed unnecessarily cold.
You dig Dweezil?
I'm sure he's a nice fellow, and he knows how to handle a guitar, but he is in the unfortunate position of being completely eclipsed by his father, which is the curse of being the son of a great man. But I was thiiis close to going to a guitar seminar he held a couple of years back way up in the Catskill mountains. But then I imagined myself lugging a big guitar box around in the wilderness and thought the better of it. Do you play an instrument?
Yes and I blame my mother who was clearly off her rocker. Or maybe she wanted a boy instead of a girl. But I play the drums. Been playing for the last several decades In fact I still have a cheap ass drum set, that I have to drag all over the effin place so no sympathy for your little guitar.
Whoops, sorry we don't know each other well enough for me to verbally abuse you.
So anyway , I'm like "Thanks Mom"...couldn't teach me to play the flute?"
I call myself a musicologist. Stopped listening to Corporate-manufactured music around 1990 when I stopped liking it. They still call it rock and roll but it lost its edge a long time ago. I have around eleven thousand songs on my hard drive and I know lyrics, artists and titles very well from the late 50's to 1990. I'm proud of my musical knowledge but it don't pay well as an avocation..
I fell in love with Frank when I first heard "The Mother's Live at the Fillmore East" album doing acid in a little park in my home town, back in Dayton Ohio in 1969. Saw Dweezil a couple of years back. And if you closed yours eyes, you'd swear you were listening to Frank.
Wow....that's enough about me. I like your page. It is more music than some of the other communities.
enough about me....thanks for asking. And you?
Hi. I sent you something at the other post but there is something screwing up with this system, so I don't know if you got it.
It's hella fun to play the drums, though. Do you have to schlepp them around a lot?
April Schneider Dweezil is a 'smoker' of a guitar player, I agree, if you close your eyes you can hear Frank!
I liked how he said that people should let their kid choose their religion...based on the data they have ..or not choose it... I grew up Lutheran..and although the bible stories were entertaining.. I have kinda become more spiritual.. as in there is something above us, but we don't know the name for it...them etc.. A "higher intelligence".. Zappa was a cool cat.. :-)
Hey Tom what does Diva Zappa do?
A lot of make up for Frank here lol
frank Zappa,wonderful musician BUT...controlled opposition
Amazing that he had four children someone as conscious as he without considering the population explosion.
Denise Ward yes there are too many people on earth...however there are too few people with some of Zappa's DNA.
Why this interviewer even try's to understand Zappa?He have no clue whatsoever.
They are not in same level(attitude,brains,free mind ext).
Frank is always opposite what a journalist want he to be.
9:40
Zappa showing the ugly control freak side. 'Employee musicians'? Ironic that he complained about artists who don't need to play to have success - and yet he's excluding real musicians by using the Synclavier, because 'the human element' is the big problem. Ego can really wreck you. Even lead to physical disease.
FZ was a musical genius and......just a wise fucking soul.
Amen!!
86 in Cleveland. great show
Hey,what's the live & song at 00:37 ?
Cheers