Frank with Jimi's Strat!
Frank Zappa with Jimi Hendrix’s Stratocaster (the Hendrix/Zappa guitar is one of the most infamous guitars of all time. It’s alleged that Jimi Hendrix burned this guitar at the 1968 Miami Pop Festival or at the Astoria in Finsbury Park in March ‘67. Frank Zappa bought or was given the remains, and after Frank died his son Dweezil got it. It was repaired to be playable, and Frank Zappa played it on his 1976 album “Zoot Allures“…)
Never much of a Zappa fan apart from his 'use' of Captain Beefheart (I bought 'Hot Rats' and 'Bongo Fury' but that's about it I think) His political view is anarcho-right wing and anti-socialist for sure. There is an arrogance behind Frank that he considered himself better or above others yet I cannot and would not deny his role as a groundbreaking musician. As a guitarist I found him inexpressive and boring. The king of noodlers. As a recent non-smoker it is interesting to me whilst allegedly notoriously anti-drugs that Frank died from his addiction to nicotine and didn't appear to realise it. Shame but ironic somehow
You know I agree with what you said about later day Zappa, but jeez his shit with The Mothers is some of the best stuff I've heard. The stuff with The Mothers is hilarious along with being very tuneful. May I suggest you go back and listen to "We're Only In It For The Money" or "Weasels Ripped My Flesh" if nothing else you'll get a good laugh
ReplyDeleteWell Jobe each to their own my friend. I am not saying I don't appreciate Frank's standing in the pantheon of music just don't choose to listen to it and I don't enjoy it anymore as a rule, I have indeed enjoyed the earlier juvenile stuff and listened to Lumpy Gravy and Freak Out when they came out. Later I listened to and was familiar with Joe's Garage, Waka JaWaka, Weasels Ripped, Ruben and The Jets, Apostrophe, Zoot Alures and up to something like Baby Snakes and of course was aware of the sardonically cynical We're Only in it for the Money. I just find the stuff unlistenable now and don't enjoy that level of noodling, virtuosity for virtuosity's sake paired with sophomoronic lyrics. I guess he doesn't really travel well but of course has earned his place in the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame. I also appreciated his political stance, open minded (generally) attitude and anti religious stance but he was wrong to defend the tobacco pedlars and paid for it
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