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Tuesday, December 21, 2010
News Happy Birthday, Frank Zappa
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Tue, Dec 21, 2010 at 11:16 AM
I think I was a sophomore in high school (around 1989) when I first heard the music of Frank Zappa. I remember sitting in a friend's basement — our usual weekend gathering spot where we'd sit around and listen to music, chat, etc. — and he put on the Sheik Yerbouti album.
The humor of "Broken Hearts are for Assholes" stood out, but so did other tracks like "Flakes," "Jones Crusher" and "Baby Snakes." I was hooked and bought the album the next time I hit the record store.
For the last 21 years, I've considered myself a fan as well as someone who hasn't yet completely grasped the talent and musical intelligence of Zappa. It's easier to get a hold of the more melodic tunes like "Peaches en Regalia," but there's as much genius in his compositions and ability to conduct an orchestra of any kind.
Then you have his intelligence when it came to the issues — censorship being the leading candidate.
He died on Dec. 4, 1993, from prostate cancer. Today would have been Frank Zappa's 70th birthday. Here are a few videos in remembrance:
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