Dweezil extends his dad's legacy Jun 11, 2008
Zappa mystique lives on through Dweezil Son of rock icon Frank Zappa hits Variety Playhouse ... MUSICIAN FRANK ZAPPA broke the boundaries of rock star expectations ... Dweezil Zappa, backed by other musicians, will re-create the music of his late father (Frank Zappa) June 12 at Variety Playhouse. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
The Walt Disney Studios Forms Kingdom Comics to Create Graphic Novels & Film Projects May 29, 2008
Ahmet Emuukha Rodan Zappa, the third of four children born to the late rock musician/composer Frank Zappa and super-powered psychic witch businesswoman Gail, started out as an actor on such shows as "Roseanne" and "Growing Pains." This led to feature film work and a run as a host on many popular reality shows. In 2006, he sold the rights to his first novel, The Monstrous Memoirs of a Mighty McFearless, to Disney and Jerry Bruckheimer Films. (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
Somebody's gotta say it.... May 22, 2008
I am not a socialist by any means by proposing this (to quote Frank Zappa, communism doesn t work because people like to own stuff), but would like to see a fairer system where everyone that is subject to taxation gets an even deal from the IRS.. By The Truth. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Opinion)
Star Seach On A Segway May 11, 2008
San Francisco likes to think it was the vortex of the rock universe then, but it's hard to argue with a town where you could pop into the Whisky a Go Go on any given night and catch the Byrds, the Doors, Buffalo Springfield or Frank Zappa. Rock journalist Gene Sculatti was one of the guides, and one of the guests on my tour was Carl Franzoni, part of a psychedelic dance troupe, known as "the Freaks," that performed with the Byrds and Frank Zappa. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Travel)
Lithuanians Want To Give Baltimore Frank Zappa Statue May 9, 2008
(May 8, 2008)--A group of Lithuanian artists wants to give the city of Baltimore a bronze statue of Frank Zappa. The city of Baltimore says, great, we'll take it. (KWTX.com, TX)
Feats of clay May 4, 2008
In the '60s, Clokey hung out with Timothy Leary and Frank Zappa, dabbling in mind-altering substances, but the psychedelia inherent in the Gumby universe predates any of Clokey's chemical adventures. "My dad did not need drugs: in the '50s, he was a straight arrow," says Clokey's son Joe. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
Your library: More than just books Apr 21, 2008
Point to Ponder wrote on Apr 20, 2008 12:55 PM:" Go to the library and educate yourself if you've got any guts... Frank Zappa ". Post Your Own Comment Posting comments online has become a vital part of the Tribune experience. (Bismarck Tribune, ND)
Head hoarding off at the pass Apr 17, 2008
There s the crazy Frank Zappa 200 Motels mini-movie poster, my The Simpsons calendar, a Teen Trivia game from 1984, a copy of Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky in one of my drawers, and a picture of female wrestler Candy Divine, which I found at the office when I started and has since hung on the wall next to me for good luck. I ve tried during all these years to maintain a clean desk, but have found it to be a sometimes daunting task, especially because I know I have compulsive hoarding... (Olney Daily Mail, IL)
A Pulitzer for Dylan Apr 16, 2008
"A couple of my friends on the music committee say Frank Zappa; somebody else says Stevie Wonder," Gissler said. "But in terms of a really important and dramatic step, this was a good one to take.". (International Herald Tribune)
More of this story» Apr 4, 2008
Redbone has also been the rumored alter ego of comedian Andy Kaufman and rock guitarist Frank Zappa, who was equally fastidious about tuning ... "i've been in the same room with Frank Zappa," Redbone offered, "but I couldn't understand" that speculation. (Dowagiac News, MI)
NBC aims to cover Games, not politics Mar 28, 2008
Versions of "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" including a Yiddish one, a "surf music" one and a rendition by Frank Zappa are among 412 baseball-themed songs included in XM's temporary Play Ball. channel. (USA Today -- Sports)
Cape Town International Jazz Festival Mar 26, 2008
During the '50s and '60s he performed with such legendary artists as Buddy Rich, Billie Holliday, Dizzy Gillespie, Coleman Hawkins, Wes Montgomery, Frank Zappa, Richie Havens and Jimi Hendrix. In the 70's, Mike founded the pioneering jazz/fusion group Steps Ahead, with saxophonist Michael Brecker and has continued to tour with the ensemble worldwide for over 30 years. (iAfrica.com)
Boom! Goes the Ego Mar 23, 2008
Frank Zappa refused to participate, declaring it the biggest drug-laundering scheme in history. Huey Lewis and the News took a pass as well, believing the whole thing wasn't very well thought out to do any good. (CBS News)
Ozzy Osbourne Mar 15, 2008
As recollections are triggered he relates anecdotes involving Frank Zappa, Bon Scott, Paul McCartney ("Every Christmas I get about 40 f---in' anthologies," he says he told the Beatle recently. "If you want any off me, you're welcome") and close friend Elton John. (Sydney Morning Herald)
Photo Release -- Osbourne, Zappa to Record Big Band Crooner CD With Brian Evans Mar 8, 2008
Ahmet Zappa, son of the late legendary rock musician Frank Zappa, has written, and will produce ``Super Spy'' for Brian Evans. Chris Walden, the Grammy nominated producer who has worked with the likes of Michael Bolton and John Williams, will produce twelve of the thirteen tracks. (Primezone Releases)
Talk of the Town: What’s in a name? Mar 2, 2008
Moon Unit Rock singer Frank Zappa, also father to Dweezil and Diva Muffin. Sage Moonblood actor Sylvester Stallone and Sasha Czack. (Green Valley News & Sun, AZ)
Hornswoggled Feb 11, 2008
It may or may not have been a favorite with the real Malcolm X, but Disraeli used it, and Walter Lippmann, and Frank Zappa. Not to mention Chris Matthews, who last year asked, "How can the president continue to bamboozle the public?". (Boston Globe)
Robots vs. zombies Feb 5, 2008
The band members, fans of zombie films like "Night of the Living Dead," named the resulting rock opera "Zombi Gras." It's a Frank Zappa-, Tom Waits- and Kinks-influenced record, says bassist Seth Adams, about a zombie attack. Sounds scary (not the zombies - those influences. (Boston Globe)
Couple cook up radio show Feb 3, 2008
Before Larry swept her away with his cooking, Gwen was a radio personality in Los Angeles and Chicago who interviewed some of rock's greatest starts, including Frank Zappa, Janis Joplin and Gordon Lightfoot. "Frank was my favorite interview," she said. (Florida Today)
Immortality in a glacier, an asteroid, even a snail Jan 28, 2008
" Asteroids immortalize everyone from sci-fi author Isaac Asimov to rocker Frank Zappa. The Astronomical Union's 11-member naming committee is likely to give the nod to almost any label proposed by an asteroid's discoverer, so long as it's not an obscenity, a pet, or a living politician - and, arbitrarily, doesn't contain more than 16 characters. Di Cicco so far has sought official names for only nine of his discoveries - he harbors a plan to eventually "nominate" little-recognized individuals... (San Francisco Chronicle -- Science)
Winehouse visits clinic as video threatens Jan 23, 2008
Eric Clapton, Johnny Cash, Pete Townsend, John Coltrane, Henry Rollins, Frank Zappa, Elton John, Morrisey, Elvis Costello, Should I continue. Todd, Chicago, Illinois. (Times Online)
11 Things: One night stand Jan 18, 2008
"Rock journalism is people who can't write interviewing people who can't talk for people who can't read." -Frank Zappa. 2. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Sam Abed misunderstands American culture Jan 8, 2008
I mention Frank Zappa, former legend in the world of rock, who assimilated uniquely into American culture. They not only understood American culture, they helped build it. (North County Times)
2 comments Jan 5, 2008
Reader Comments: (2)Here are all of comments submitted by Human Events readers: Page 1I am doing this from memory, it was published in the '70s,but I think I am really close----"I am gross and perverted, I'm obsessed and deranged,I have existed for years but very little has changed.I'm the best you can get, have guessed me yet?I'm the slime oozing out from your TV set."Who knew that the one and only Frank Zappa was insightful. TV has gotten nothing but way worse since that little ditty was... (Human Events Online)
A Not-So-Great 2008 Dec 18, 2007
Al may turn out to be the best thing on TV, unless perhaps you prefer the even more mindless diversion of Dancing With the Stars, So You Think You Can Dance or the soon-to-come posthumous contribution from Frank Zappa, Dancing Fool. It looks like we will not be burdened with original TV fare, owing to the writers' strike. (MediaWeek.com)
German composer Karlheinz Stockhausen dies at age 79 Dec 8, 2007
Rock and pop musicians such as John Lennon, Frank Zappa and David Bowie have cited him as an influence, and he is also credited with having influenced techno music. But he sparked controversy in 2001 when he described the 9/11 attacks as "the greatest work of art one can imagine." His description came during a news conference in Hamburg (HAHM'-borg), Germany, where several of the suicide pilots had lived. (WSJA.com, AL)
Composer Karlheinz Stockhausen dies Dec 8, 2007
Rock and pop musicians such as John Lennon, Frank Zappa and David Bowie have cited him as an influence, and he is also credited with having influenced techno music. Stockhausen sparked controversy in 2001, when he described the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks in the United States as "the greatest work of art one can imagine'' during a news conference in the northern German city of Hamburg, where several of the suicide pilots had lived.The composer later apologized, but the city still canceled... (Variety)
Blair splits with boyfriend Dec 7, 2007
Blair, 34, married Ahmet - the son of late music legend Frank Zappa - in a traditional Jewish ceremony in January 2004 at the Los Angeles home of 'Star Wars' actress Carrie Fisher after dating him for just six months. The pair had no children and although their divorce has been finalized they lawfully remain married until December 27. (AZCentral -- Entertainment)
My Dinner with Jimi ** Dec 7, 2007
Subsequently, Kaylan and Volman toured with Frank Zappa's the Mothers of Invention and sang backup vocals for everyone from Marc Bolan to John Lennon and Bruce Springsteen ... The crowd includes a mildly paranoid Frank Zappa (Adam Tomei), a laid-back Mama Cass (Lisa Brounstein) and a drunken Jim Morrison (Bret Roberts). (Globe and Mail -- Entertainment)
Helicopter Parenting Turns Deadly Dec 1, 2007
To quote Frank Zappa: It s not getting any smarter out there. The parents aren t smart enough to think about how to bring up their kids, the principals and teachers aren t smart enough to see the effects of bullying, the kids are getting dumbed down by video, the internet and inane games. (New York Times)
A man with innovation on his mind John Kao has a plan to help U.S. compete... Nov 25, 2007
A man with innovation on his mind / John Kao has a plan to help U.S. compete, regain foothold in science and technology. " And he wrote a book about the intersection of art and business called "Jamming: The Art and Discipline of Business Creativity," which made the BusinessWeek best-seller list. The Economist dubbed him "Mr. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Sports)
A man with innovation on his mind Nov 25, 2007
" And he wrote a book about the intersection of art and business called "Jamming: The Art and Discipline of Business Creativity," which made the BusinessWeek best-seller list. The Economist dubbed him "Mr. " How do you top that? Kao did it by moving to the Presidio, where he founded Kao a nonprofit "advisory and venture development firm" in an expansive space that was once the office of actor Robin Williams - Kao calls that "good creative vibes" - and that counts government agencies, Fortune 500... (San Francisco Chronicle)
Mini movie reviews Nov 23, 2007
Your Connection to the. Web Search powered by YAHOO. (Athens Banner-Herald)
Janice Dickinson, superannuated supermodel Nov 13, 2007
But then why would you expect anything but terrifying boldness from the woman who recently claimed on the US radio programme The Howard Stern Show to have slept with more than 1,000 men (including Mick Jagger, Warren Beatty, Jack Nicholson, Sylvester Stallone and Frank Zappa), has been divorced three times, and proudly calls herself "big-lipped Janice". While not yet a household name in the UK, Dickinson has been delighting gossip columnists in America since the early 1970s, when she became one... (Scotsman)
Page honored with 'Living Legend' award Nov 7, 2007
1975-2000' DVD Of The Year - 'Frank Zappa Classic Albums' Album Of The Year - Porcupine Tree, 'Fear Of A Blank Planet' Band Of The Year - Rush Event Of The Year - Aerosmith at Hyde Park Calling Classic Songwriters - Status Quo Metal Guru - Tony Lommi Showman Award - Jeff Wayne The Classic Rock/Childline award - Ian and Jacky Paice Tommy Vance Inspiration - Mick Ronson Outstanding Contribution - Storm Thorgerson Classic Album - Meat Loaf, 'Bat Out Of Hell' Comeback Of The Year - Heaven And Hell... (AZCentral -- Entertainment)
'Cathryn is the cog of the local music scene' Nov 5, 2007
Beeks began playing guitar and singing while growing up in Lancaster, a town that once counted a young Frank Zappa and Captain Beefheart among its residents. She later played in various cover bands before starting her first all-originals group, JunkQueen, in Cleveland in 1996. (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Mighty Boosh Oct 21, 2007
Fielding had studied Fine Art at Croydon Art College while Barratt had dropped out of an American studies course at Reading University; both had fathers who loved Frank Zappa and Captain Beefheart, and who encouraged their sons to avoid getting proper jobs. When they first met, Barratt asked Fielding if he had his hair on backwards (hair being a bit of a theme - the duo takes its name from Fielding's brother Michael, who as a child had really big hair which a friend called 'the mighty bush'). (Guardian Unlimited)
Live Nation's Artist Nation Division Redefines the Music Industry With Unified Rights Model Oct 17, 2007
Anthill has relationships with over 50 artists, including names such as AC/DC, Il Divo, Neil Young, Pink Floyd, John Legend, Pearl Jam, Nelly Furtado, The Police, The Rolling Stones, Run DMC, The Wu Tang Clan, and Frank Zappa. -- TRUNK, Ltd. is a specialty merchandise company that acquires licenses primarily from music artists to design, manufacture and sell authentic, limited edition apparel and accessories for men, women and children through various distribution channels. (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
5 shows to see this week Oct 16, 2007
wrote and produced the flick, and the cameo appearances include Annette Funicello, Frank Zappa. and Sonny Liston. (AZCentral -- Entertainment)
Teenage utopias Oct 6, 2007
But while musicians like Frank Zappa and Captain Beefheart explored territory usually occupied by art music, pop was stripped down to an easily replicated base by people such as Spector, and later taken up by the punk movement who would define themselves against it - Pretty Vacant, the Sex Pistols' punk standard, was nevertheless an attempt, according to co-writer Glen Matlock, to mimic the chords of ABBA's SOS. The late '70s seem to have been a time when this simple, direct form reached its... (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
Click for Full Story Sep 28, 2007
Her father was Frank Zappa, the prolific composer and performer who was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995. This months photo. (KWTX.com, TX)
Congress criticizes dirty hip-hop lyrics but shies away from censorship Sep 26, 2007
At the earlier hearing, lawmakers where exposed to Van Halen s Hot for Teacher and Twisted Sister s We re Not Going to Take It, and the late rocker Frank Zappa hurled insults at Tipper Gore, wife of then-Sen. Al Gore, and Susan Baker, wife of then Treasury Secretary James Baker, who were urging the recording industry to voluntarily police itself on song lyrics. (KHOU.com, TX)
Sons and daughters: A new page in the history of rock Sep 11, 2007
With a name like Moon Unit, the daughter of the musician, composer and film director Frank Zappa had little choice but to turn her hand to comedy. Hastily dropping her middle name, the eccentric performer has worked as a stand-up comic as well as an actress and an author. (Independent)
Live blogging the VMAs! Sep 10, 2007
Serg always makes me think of Frank Zappa. Fasty Sun, Sep 9, 2007 at 09:27 PM EST. (Entertainment Weekly)
Worn Free Shirts Outfit TV's Entourage; Hot Rock Tees on HBO Star Grenier Part of Apparel Company's Ever-Widening Appeal Aug 24, 2007
The licensed-apparel company's distinctive tees - reproductions of shirts worn by rock stars like John Lennon, Frank Zappa, Joan Jett, Debbie Harry, Joey Ramone and others in famous photos, as well as of classic images by some of the pop world's most celebrated designers - have appeared in numerous episodes of HBO's hit series, which was recently nominated for seven Emmy Awards. As the show's protagonist, rising movie star Vincent Chase, Grenier has been seen in such Worn Free designs as the... (Internet News Bureau)
Men discuss realitiesof prostate cancerin support group Aug 18, 2007
Those who were diagnosed too late to survive include: actors Telly Savalas and Bill Bixby; Time-Warner chairman Steve Ross; Nobel Prize-winning scientist Linus Pauling; rock musician Frank Zappa and LSD advocate Timothy Leary. August 18, 2007. (Daytona Beach News Journal)
Funky form of flattery Aug 15, 2007
"They're all amazing musicians who can do anything from gangsta rap to polka and everything in between, and do everything expertly well. One of my pet peeves is that sometimes the talents of my band get overlooked because, and it was the same problem that Frank Zappa had, with a lot of groups that use humor, people don't realize there's a lot of craft behind the comedy.". In the future, Yankovic said, his major challenge is "to be as timely and topical as I would like to be because I have to get... (AZCentral -- Entertainment)
Actress Lohan's film du jour garners disastrous reviews Aug 2, 2007
Berlin has named a street after Frank Zappa. This is not quite as random as it seems: one of the addresses on Frank Zappa Strasse, formerly Street 13, is that of Orwo Haus, a place which calls itself Europe's biggest rehearsal centre for start-up bands. (StarPhoenix)
Collingwood Elvis Festival picks champion to go on to Graceland Jul 31, 2007
Berlin has named a street after late musician Frank Zappa. The street is the site of a former Communist-era film studio, but the building is now a practice space for more than 160 bands. (CBC News)
He mixed global salvation and soapmaking Jul 27, 2007
An aging-hippie Magic Soap user tells Lamm his pantheon of the most important people in the world once consisted of Frank Zappa, Dennis Hopper, John Lennon, and Bronner. Lamm also interviews a somewhat bemused Eldridge Cleaver, the former Black Panther, who speaks of Bronner with wary approval. (Boston Globe)
Simpsons on The Simpsons Jul 24, 2007
Lisa s varying saxophone solos in the opening credits have included pieces by Donovan, Frank Zappa, James Brown, and Charlie Parker. 11. (The Sun)
Who are your favourite SNL characters? Jul 24, 2007
and of course the occasional Frank Zappa appearences. Who else invited him. (Globe and Mail -- Entertainment)
Iggy Pop: The New Weirdness Jul 22, 2007
So "The Weirdness" is still music made from the outside, but Iggy's new interior landscape is that space where iconic fame and accelerated culture intersect: a world of "ATM"s and "Greedy Awful People," of "critics" and "TV rock stars," where the ghosts of Frank Zappa and Chuck Berry mill among Dr. Phil's. "I'm so sad and lonely, baby," Iggy moans, "cause I can't live among my class." (But whose class. (Yahoo News -- Technology)
Art space fires up atypical night Jul 10, 2007
This got the band into the Guinness Book of World Records for releasing more albums in one year than any band; runners-up included Frank Zappa with nine records and James Brown with seven. Nobody said the logic behind his unusual moniker comes from the Zen concept of emptying the mind. (The Daily Lobo, NM)
Record Reviews Jul 10, 2007
Much the way Frank Zappa or the Beatles (in its more "Rocky Racoon" moments) maintained credibility through musicalintegrity, They Might Be Giants has deflected many of its would-be detractors with pitch-perfect pop hooks. The two members, John Linnell and John Flansburgh, have recruited the Dust Brothers to help them get back to rock recording - or some reasonable facsimile - after a pair of children's records (NO. (Daily Iowan, IA)
The Beatles Very Own Movie 'Starr' Jul 8, 2007
The best known are probably, With a Little Help from My Friends ", from , and Yellow Submarine from Magical Mystery Tour. One of the songs he sang included the prophetic lines, 'They're gonna put me in the movies. They're gonna make a big star out of me.' He was, of course, a very good drummer, although once, when an interviewer asked the Beatles, Is Ringo Starr the best drummer in the world? , John Lennon answered He's not the best drummer in the Beatles. In fact, he introduced what is known as... (Suite101.com)
'SNL' to 'Letterman,' 'Bones' Malone hits every note Jul 1, 2007
Tom "Bones" Malone has performed, recorded and arranged for a veritable who's who of popular music: James Brown, Ray Charles, Blood Sweat & Tears, Frank Zappa, Spinners, Four Tops, Stylistics, Bonnie Raitt, Barry Manilow, Willie Nelson, Sting, John Mayer, Tony Bennett, Harry Connick Jr., Aretha Franklin, Cyndi Lauper, Dionne Warwick, Miles Davis, The O'Jays, Phil Collins, James Taylor, Elton John, Bette Midler, Lou Rawls, Diana Ross, Paul Simon, Luther Vandross, George Benson, Carly Simon, Al... (The Clarion-Ledger)
Herbie Hancock, musical chameleon Jun 23, 2007
From Saturday's Globe and Mail. June 22, 2007 at 11:59 PM EDT. (Globe and Mail)
The Banger Sisters Jun 15, 2007
Given "banger" sister status by Frank Zappa, two rock groupies, Suzette and Vinnie (Goldie Hawn and Susan Sarandon), have fond memories of their (long) past experiences. Like the time Jim Morrison passed out in the brasco of the bar where Suzette still works (tottering about in the retro togs and silicone breasts of her heyday). (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
Lifesavas get cinematic on 'Gutterfly' Jun 10, 2007
Skits, or "scenes," are attached to songs throughout with narration by Ike Willis, longtime guitarist for Frank Zappa. Other guests include Fishbone, Butterfly of Digable Planets and guitarist Vernon Reid of Living Color. (AZCentral -- Entertainment)
A HonFest highlight: memorial concert to honor dad Jun 7, 2007
He said the band, which performs its own music and covers by the likes of Frank Zappa, Steely Dan, Blood Sweat and Tears and, yes, Crack the Sky, will open with a Billie Holiday number, "God Bless the Child," one of his father's favorites. Also early in the set list is Elton John's "Funeral for a Friend.". (Baltimore Messenger, MD)
How Much Do You Know? Jun 6, 2007
True or false: All of these have done parodies of the "Sgt. Pepper's" cover: Frank Zappa, "The Simpsons," Mad Magazine. Answers to quiz. (The Ledger)
Breaking into song, bursting with ideas Jun 5, 2007
Historically, offbeat musicals have been the purview of rock stars, justifiably inspired by Richard Lester's indispensable "A Hard Day's Night" and "Help!" The 1968 Monkees movie "Head," by Bob Rafelson, and Tony Palmer's 1971 "200 Motels," starring Frank Zappa, are still considered cult classics, as is Todd Haynes' 1987 "Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story," which tells the tragic story of the pop singer with Barbie doll re-enactments. (The cultiest is "The Rocky Horror Picture Show," still... (AZCentral -- Entertainment)
40 years ago today... Jun 3, 2007
It's inspired a phalanx of parodies, including two Simpsons' versions (one spells out "Simpsons" in doughnuts), Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention's We're Only in It for the Money with Zappa in a dress, and the Monty Python-related spoof The Rutles' Sgt. Rutles' Lonely Darts Club Band, with a dart board in the middle. 15. (The Palm Beach Post)
Sgt. Pepper at 40, from A to Z May 31, 2007
The Beach Boys' Brian Wilson and the Mothers of Invention's Frank Zappa broke new ground with Pet Sounds and Freak Out. And the Beatles' friends and rivals the Rolling Stones were keeping pace with their Aftermath and Between the Buttons albums. (The Star Online, Malaysia)
