Frank Vincent Zappa was an American composer, producer, film director, and guitarist over the past decade. During his career in the music industry, Frank recorded lots of rock, orchestral, and jazz tunes. He also developed music videos, movies, and album covers. As a single artist and in conjunction with varied bands, Frank produced most of the more than sixty albums he released. In 1962, Zappa released his first album dubbed The Worlds Greatest Sinner. This was composed of songs produced in rock and orchestral format. His most rewarding album was Freak It Out! Found in 1966 in collaboration with The Mothers of Invention band. Other examples of albums composed by Zappa are, Run Home Slow of 1965, Absolutely Free done in 1967, We’re Only In It For The Money of 1968, and Mothermania of 1969. In the early 1960s, he helped other upcoming local artists in writing and producing various songs (Watson 214).
Zappa made a great contribution in revolutionizing the rock music industry. Most of his songs are still taken with great regard in the rock industry. He is considered one of the most creative guitarists and songwriters who inspired most of the musicians. His exploration of various types of music brought about the establishment of different sound effects, the development of musical instruments, and electronically organized sounds. His contributions to the music industry lead to him being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame after his death. He also inspired a great number of musicians from varied music genres (Lowe 67).
Throughout his life, Zappa was able to balance his art and commerce by ensuring that he signed contracts with people whom he trusted could ensure the sustainability of his endeavors even in his absence. He oversaw the restructuring of all his past albums to designs that best met the needs of most of his consumers. The inclusion of synclavier in composing and performing songs also made him achieve almost everything that his songs required thus making them more attractive to his fans. This also reduced the cost of having to look for other musicians to help him perform his songs. He had also established a studio in his house giving him the freedom to work and monitor his progress. His success in managing his art and commerce lead to him being contracted to serve as a trade consultant for the Czechoslovakia government (Slaven pp. 34-36).
To put across his opinions on the culture and beliefs of the American community, Zappa used his knowledge in music. He incorporated political and sociological spoof in his songs. For instance, his song titled The Blue Light criticized the willingness of the American citizens to trust anything. His thematic basics and appraisal of the hippie way of life are manifested in his songs called Free and Take Your Clothes Off When you Dance. However, the ironic nature of these songs eclipses the earnest message he intended to put across (Gray 27).
By criticizing the older generation through his songs, he tried to show how most of the conservative parents were hindering the progress of their parents. In a way, he was tried to bring out his way of life through his songs. He believed that his songs would still be listened to even after he is gone. The repulsive nature of some of his songs aimed at opening the minds of his listeners.
Works cited
Gray, Michael. Mother! is the Story of Frank Zappa. London: Proteus Books, 1984.
Lowe, Kelly Fisher. The Words and Music of Frank Zappa. Westport: Praeger Publishers, 2006.
Slaven, Neil. Electric Don Quixote: The Definitive Story of Frank Zappa. London: Omnibus Press listeners, 2003.
Watson, Ben. Frank Zappa. The Complete Guide to His Music. London: Omnibus Press, 2005.