hhoh12 (August 6, 2008 at 8:39 pm)

frank zappa was NOT a "rock musician who fiddled around with an orchestra." Frank zappa was a twentieth century composer first and only turned to making rock-band style music to make ends meet... and even then, most of his music could hardly be considered rock. Have you even heard the London Symphony Orchestra playing his compositions? Have you even heard pieces like Overture to Holiday in Berlin or the stuff from Hot Rats? Please learn a little bit more about this guy before you brush him off.

hhoh12 (August 6, 2008 at 8:34 pm)

ahahaha "Pioneers like Led Zeppelin"more like pioneers like the blacks they stole from

droogzombie (August 6, 2008 at 11:50 am)

My dad looks like frank zappa.

droogzombie (August 6, 2008 at 11:35 am)

Haha :D I went back to hear it and cracked up. That is awesome :D

gungagin (August 1, 2008 at 4:36 pm)

I wasn't into his music, but I can appreciate his creativity and originality.

dinastein44 (July 31, 2008 at 8:14 pm)

I have to say however, that it's really interesting to have this discussion with you. You obviously know a great deal about music and I really respect it that you didn't bite my head off like most utube users do when I express a different opinion to theirs. You should hear the cursing I get treated to! What's more in some ways you even convinced me, insofar that I went and listened to more of Zappa's works. I'll never be an actual convert I'm afraid, but I admit but he does deserve some credit.

dinastein44 (July 31, 2008 at 8:07 pm)

Many people, even professional musicians, might claim Zappa to be a genius, fair enough. Otherwise why would the orch. bother to faff around with him? They have their reputation to consider. So far so good. But I still think that if he hadn't been so busy showing off his freakiness and concentrated more on simply making music, no doubt he would have made better use of his undeniable talents. I guess we'll have to agree to disagree. (to be continued)

3shiftgtr (July 31, 2008 at 6:20 pm)

dinastein44-What did he change? Not enough space here. Do the research. But don't look for cultural influence. Look for specific MUSICAL influence. Not popularity, lyrics, or public perception. His influence paved the way for so much in rock, pop, and serious "new" orchestral music. When guys like Varese say he's amazing, we'd all better listen. Look, I'm not a big fan. I like some stuff, but I don't view it as a culture consumer. Genius comes with regard & disregard in many forms & opinions.

dinastein44 (July 31, 2008 at 2:50 pm)

I'll grant you that, he made an impact in the 70s by being daring, different. But has it lasted? I don't know. What did he change in music, other than that people say, oh yeah, Zappa, the freaky one, he did some interesting stuff. True, "Rite of Spring" was jeered at in the beginning but Stravinsky did have some influence on what came later - Schönberg, Webern etc. Zappa may be an acknowledged genius (acknowledged by whom though?) It's just that his so-called genius is lost on me.

3shiftgtr (July 31, 2008 at 2:28 pm)

dinastein44-I hear ya. Respect your opinion. I don't like some of his stuff (some lyrics too), but I recognize his contribution. You don't have to be popular or even good to change music, and that is what this discussion is about. His contribution changed music, not just spun a style (the vernacular vs. language metaphor again). "Rite of Spring" was reviled and argued against for decades until credible sources were able to articulate it's value in terms. Zappa is a recognized geinus.