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48th out of 699 books
—
477 voters
The Real Frank Zappa Book
by
Frank Zappa
This is the second-best way to expose yourself to the particular genius of Frank Zappa (music is the best, after all)--through his own words. In addition to being an idiosyncratic American composer of some degree of controversy, Zappa was an orator of no small ability or scope. He was known for his ability to expound at great length (and to hilarious effect) on any number...more
Paperback, 352 pages
Published
August 3rd 1990
by Picador USA
(first published 1989)
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Whether you like Frank Zappa's music or not (of course you do), I can't recommend this book enough...it is Hilarious (note the capital "H")...he had a terrific perspective on the world, and the most perfect sense of humor. I want to read it again just thinking about it.
This is a brilliant and very funny book. It has great insights into the current state of America, music, politics, televangelism, and much more. The biography of Zappa is only a small part of the book. The rest is devoted to his thought on various issues, and deserves reading. An excellent read!
When I discovered the music of Frank Zappa & the Mothers of Invention way back in 1970, I wasn't ready for it. W/in a few mnths I was all about it. I was 16 & this was, indeed, the music that got me really excited. It was experimental, it was rock'n'roll, it had some politics, it had some satire, it was complicated, it did the trick for me. I 1st heard the Mothers of Invention live when I skipped school on my graduation day to hitch-hike north of Baltimore to hear them in Harrisburg. THE...more
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Book Review Zappa Style
Teige Dougherty
Anyone who knows anything about Frank Zappa knows that he has some crazy stories to tell. So when I picked up this book I had high expectations. These expectations were met and surpassed. It surprised me how ridiculous one person’s life could be. It even surprised me that he lived as long as he did, given all the life threatening things he had been put through.
Some parts of the book, I felt like I was actually just sitting down with Zappa as he sips a bee...more
Teige Dougherty
Anyone who knows anything about Frank Zappa knows that he has some crazy stories to tell. So when I picked up this book I had high expectations. These expectations were met and surpassed. It surprised me how ridiculous one person’s life could be. It even surprised me that he lived as long as he did, given all the life threatening things he had been put through.
Some parts of the book, I felt like I was actually just sitting down with Zappa as he sips a bee...more
It is not unusual for either writers or composers to draw upon their own life and experiences for material. What is unusual is learning from the artist directly the source of his or her inspiration. And in this volume, the reader learns of some of the personal connections Frank Zappa's material has with his life experiences.
Zappa reveals through the re-telling of his life how an experience in jail eventually found itself lyrically represented in his music 13 years later. His antagonism toward or...more
Zappa reveals through the re-telling of his life how an experience in jail eventually found itself lyrically represented in his music 13 years later. His antagonism toward or...more
В 1988 году издатели из ныне покойного Poseidon Press уломали Фрэнку Заппу написать книгу собственных мемуаров. Получив в качестве литературного негра журналиста Питера Оккиогроссо, Заппа пустился по волнам собственной памяти и породил море качественных и эффектных лулзов. История детства и юности Заппы – безупречная сага coming-of-age. Помесь Хогбенов и фильмов поколения “Бунтовщика без причины”.
Папа устроился метеорологом в Эджвудский арсенал. Во время Второй мировой войны там делали отравляю...more
Папа устроился метеорологом в Эджвудский арсенал. Во время Второй мировой войны там делали отравляю...more
I started paging through The Real Frank Zappa Book in an effort to generate band name ideas and ended up reading the entire thing cover to cover. I attribute this to three things; Zappa had an interesting life, he had interesting things to say and he was able to talk about things in an interesting manner.
TRFZB is part autobiography and part philosophical exploration, the exploration being of Zappa’s mind in the form of theories, beliefs and ideas. Frankly (HA HA HA HA… sorry, couldn’t help it),...more
TRFZB is part autobiography and part philosophical exploration, the exploration being of Zappa’s mind in the form of theories, beliefs and ideas. Frankly (HA HA HA HA… sorry, couldn’t help it),...more
Jun 17, 2010
Greg
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
anyone who is intereseted in Frank Zappa or just started to listen to Zappa
This book should get a 6 star rating. It is easily the best autobiograpy ever written. The wit and wisdom of Frank Zappa translate beautifully to the page and you will be laughing rom the beginning to the end of this awesome book. No one can cut through crap quite like Zappa could and thi book is a great example of this, he talks about everything from his problems with orcestra musicians to his views on government and political science. He writes about the crazy random adventures and bizzare tou...more
Originqlly posted here: http://nancythroughthelookingglass.bl...
I'm a big frank zappa fan and it's hard to find information about him that is reliable, so it was refreshing to read a book written in his own words as this one is. His narrative style is similar to his lyrical style, I found it very funny and a pleasure to read. The book is also illustrated throughout with funny little cartoons in a similar style to many of his album covers. Bold and italics are used in the text to highlight partic...more
I'm a big frank zappa fan and it's hard to find information about him that is reliable, so it was refreshing to read a book written in his own words as this one is. His narrative style is similar to his lyrical style, I found it very funny and a pleasure to read. The book is also illustrated throughout with funny little cartoons in a similar style to many of his album covers. Bold and italics are used in the text to highlight partic...more
After finishing this book, I am convinced that God has cursed the US. This is because God took Frank Zappa away from us way before his time... and way before the start of the Bush, Jr. administration. Today Frank Zappa would probably be buying infomercial time telling every person that will listen, "Hey, what in the f--- are you people THINKING?"
For a book written in 1988, the political sections of this book remain extremely (and uncannily) timely, maybe with the exception of the writing on his...more
For a book written in 1988, the political sections of this book remain extremely (and uncannily) timely, maybe with the exception of the writing on his...more
I greatly enjoyed the first part of this book. Zappa’s humorous look at his early years and musical experiences is entertaining and somewhat informative. As the book progresses, though, it becomes more of a series of rants against his various critics and pet peeves. Several of Zappa’s associates have noted that this account is largely fictionalized, tending to reflect Zappa as a more just and generous character than he actually was. I recommend reading Barry Miles’ “Frank Zappa” first, to break...more
In the real Frank Zappa Book, we get to hear from the man himself, about his career, music, politics, and variety of other subjects. This is probably not the best written book on all things Zappa, but what we get here is shades of the brand of humor and philosophical thought that is familiar to fans of Zappa. The book, which takes us from Zappa’s Maryland childhood to the present, that is, the ‘80’s in which the book was written, is basically divided into two parts. The first part, Zappa talks a...more
Frank Zappa was a genius and he never made a secret of it. His autobiography is an interesting tale of weasels ripping his flesh, groupies tearing clothing, and problematic band members with pumpkins for brains. Highlights include his middle and high school years spent writing scores that so impressed his music teacher that the school band played them, his time as a writer of knock off surf songs, and the lurid details of his early studio years spent throwing boogers on a wall and letting them g...more
I once met Zappa when he was pitching a television show concept at one of the networks. A thin framed small man in a sea of suits, I followed him with his management and cadre of lawyers, like knights surrounding the king, to the elevator where I approached Frank we chatted briefly. He was very animated and showed his thoughts in facial movements without even saying anything. I found his wit and sarcasm charming which is how this book is written. Vignettes of life as if dreaming in sequence leav...more
Frank said books made him sleepy but he was glad they existed. This is the story of a true original. To state the obvious, Frank Zappa was a fearless artist who lived free of the conditions of worth that imprison most people. This way of living coupled with sheer creative genius to provide a body of work whose value is inestimable.
Let me say right off that I love Frank Zappa. His albums, especially 'Freak Out' and 'We're Only in it For the Money,' were part of the soundtrack of my youth. They added their own secret herbs to the olio of my musical personality. But this book is a disappointment. It's got way, way too much about his appearance before Congress and his disdain for organized religion (though God knows I love zingers against politicians and Jerry Falwell--but just because he's right doesn't make it not boring) a...more
I'm not much of a Frank Zappa fan, although I do like some of his music, and generally liked the guy as a human being. However, a friend of mine suggested I give this a read, so here I am. My only complaints are the sections where the book becomes bogged down with very technical music talk (which is to be expected) and, as an autobiography, it's very scattershot and quickly glosses over Zappa's life. Nevertheless, the artwork that is spread throughout the book, not to mention the almost manic us...more
As irreverent and sarcastic as its author and subject, The Real Frank Zappa Book is a wellspring of hilarious and/or shocking vignettes from his life as he tries to paint for the reader a picture of himself and the world as he sees it. Within the covers of his autobiography, Frank Zappa details his life, a mixture of the mundane and the extraordinary, from stem to stern; from the fire that inspired Deep Purple’s “Smoke on the Water”, to his prolonged legal battle with the Royal Philharmonic Symp...more
Made my way about a third through this years ago; finally picked it up and started over. Finished! Now it's out of my "stack."
Here's a quote:
I suggest we learn how to take anything bad that happens to us and polarize it. Instead of being overwhelmed by a negative event, dodge to the side like those t'ai chi guys and let it whizz by your pants. Maybe it makes a little breeze--big deal. (Please, don't mistake this for optimism.)
This is not a representative sample. As he admits, he is not an optimi...more
Here's a quote:
I suggest we learn how to take anything bad that happens to us and polarize it. Instead of being overwhelmed by a negative event, dodge to the side like those t'ai chi guys and let it whizz by your pants. Maybe it makes a little breeze--big deal. (Please, don't mistake this for optimism.)
This is not a representative sample. As he admits, he is not an optimi...more
If you're reading this book, it's most likely because you're a Zappa or Mothers' fan. Zappa is one-of-a-kind, breaking the rules in true anarchist form (and doing it with relish knowing that he is sorely irritating more than a few), coarse, brilliant, and innovative. I have never warmed up to his albums with lyrics, but just love The Grand Wazoo and Waka/Jawaka, so I wanted to see what made him tick. (I can still recall the day a good friend popped The Grand Wazoo cassette into his car player as...more
Music is the best, and Zappa's music is among the best. What a shame then that most people know him for his reputation for being outspoken, for defending the right to swear on a record and for recording smutty lyrics. That was just the day job. Zappa wasn't interested in fashion, and so he was not that interested in getting airplay on the record-industry controlled airwaves. What comes across clearly in this conversation with Peter Occhiogrosso (doesn't that sound like a name Zappa would invent...more
I read this book so long ago.
It belonged to my boyfriend, Michael Schneider. We were on a road trip from New Orleans to Milwaukee, where he grew up. We were going to visit his family. I was meeting his family for the first time. We had car trouble and ended up getting stuck in Effingham, Illinois. I read this book while we waited for car repairs. It was hilarious and I laughed out loud a lot. It saved my sanity.
Here's the poem i wrote about that trip, which includes a bit about this book.
On Our...more
It belonged to my boyfriend, Michael Schneider. We were on a road trip from New Orleans to Milwaukee, where he grew up. We were going to visit his family. I was meeting his family for the first time. We had car trouble and ended up getting stuck in Effingham, Illinois. I read this book while we waited for car repairs. It was hilarious and I laughed out loud a lot. It saved my sanity.
Here's the poem i wrote about that trip, which includes a bit about this book.
On Our...more
Regarding my thoughts on Zappa and his excellent ouerve, see my review of Kelly Fisher Lowe's book.
This autobiography/polemic makes for a zestier read, although the last 50-90 pages of it descend rapidly through stages of acerbic wit from critical observation to rant to diatribe to screed. (You know there's trouble any time a writer begins moving from italics to boldface to BOTH IN ALL CAPS WITH MULTIPLE EXCLAMATION POINTS!!! ) I'm guessing that Zappa lost interest in self-censoring (or the proj...more
This autobiography/polemic makes for a zestier read, although the last 50-90 pages of it descend rapidly through stages of acerbic wit from critical observation to rant to diatribe to screed. (You know there's trouble any time a writer begins moving from italics to boldface to BOTH IN ALL CAPS WITH MULTIPLE EXCLAMATION POINTS!!! ) I'm guessing that Zappa lost interest in self-censoring (or the proj...more
Feb 13, 2008
Adam
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Frank Zapp fans, musicians, pop-culture fans
Shelves:
music,
biographies
I am a Frank Zappa fan, in a big way. This was the first that I had read about him, when I was in High School.
The book has a great way of keeping the reader constantly enthralled. There are little pictures scattered throughout the text that show some of the scenes being described. There are many stories of him as a child, which are fascinating, as well as stories from his adolescence all the way through the Mothers of Invention and his own solo efforts.
The end of the book is very dated as he s...more
The book has a great way of keeping the reader constantly enthralled. There are little pictures scattered throughout the text that show some of the scenes being described. There are many stories of him as a child, which are fascinating, as well as stories from his adolescence all the way through the Mothers of Invention and his own solo efforts.
The end of the book is very dated as he s...more
i like the majority of the book. i don't really care much for the last few chapters which are a slog through then-current political issues. the recorded-conversation writing works well for the many many anecdotes that fill the book but turn nearly every argument he has about the issues into weird unorganized shit that doesn't make a lot of sense. impressive coming out of a mouth, disappointing as ink on a page. the rest of the book's a breeze though, lots of fun.
I miss FZ. What a genius, and to think that he had time to write, arrange and record all this incredible music, tour on his releases, run a record company (lotsa help from wife Gail) AND raise children is amazing. This book not only chronicles his early life and beginnings in music, but also contains some great rants about politics, people in general and the music biz. The tag line for this book reads: "This book belongs in every home." I agree.
This book is epic. It covers politics, religion, touches on philosophy as far as playing music and what other musicians play. Zappa steps you through his career, and his early life, you get a brief but very concentrated dose of what he did over his lifetime. In one portion of the book, Zappa explains how real musicians (especially strings) are overtaken by electronics. It is now cheaper to use a computer then use real musicians.
Wonderful. My only complaints are that i would have liked it to be a little more in depth and it could have been a little more personal. As it is, it gives a lot of insight into his views on making music, the music industry, politics, the media, drugs, and many more topics. He seems to be able to see through a lot of societies bullshit and understand people's real motivations for certain things. He comes off as smart as i had hoped that he would.
Jan 02, 2009
I.haveanidea
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Anyone at all.
Recommended to I.haveanidea by:
My dad. For some reason.
This could actually be my favourite book of all time. It's just...amazing. I first read this as someone who hadn't even [b]heard of[/b] Frank Zappa, and I fell in love with it. I've read it at least 4 times since, now a fan of Frank Zappa, and it has never failed to amaze me. Absolutely amazing. Sometimes I just reach towards it and open a random page and read. It's my bible, and how I lead my life.
I always thought Frank Zappa was overrated. I wasn't quite sure why he was famous.
Anyway, this book was boring and full of hot air. I started reading it and after a while I realized it wasn't getting better. I skimmed it, which is pretty easy to do because it is divided into little tiny sections with headings like, "Why People Don't Understand My Stuff." I guess I am one of those people.
Anyway, this book was boring and full of hot air. I started reading it and after a while I realized it wasn't getting better. I skimmed it, which is pretty easy to do because it is divided into little tiny sections with headings like, "Why People Don't Understand My Stuff." I guess I am one of those people.
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Frank Vincent Zappa was an American composer, musician, and film director. In a career spanning more than 30 years, Zappa established himself as a prolific and highly distinctive composer, electric guitar player and band leader. He worked in almost every musical genre and wrote music for rock bands, jazz ensembles, synthesizers and symphony orchestra, as well as musique concrète works constructed...more
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“Without music to decorate it, time is just a bunch of boring production deadlines or dates by which bills must be paid.”
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“Definition of rock journalism: People who can't write, doing interviews with people who can't think, in order to prepare articles for people who can't read.”
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