No Commercial Potential The Saga Of Frank Zappa

by Walley, David

• ISBN13: 9780306807107
• ISBN10: 0306807106
• Edition: Revised
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1996-08-22
• Publisher: Da Capo Press

Summary

For nearly thirty years Frank Zappa (19401993) pursued an idiosyncratic but influential course in musicrock, jazz, and classical composer (releasing over fifty albums); founder of the Mothers of Invention; guitarist, conductor, and producer; as well as social satirist, sonic scientist, First Amendment champion, and all-around iconoclast. This updated edition of David Walley's cutting-edge classic includes a new foreword, a substantial chapter carrying the Zappa saga through his death from cancer, an afterword, bibliography, discography, videography, and guide to Zappa on the Internet. From 1960'sFreak Out!to the posthumousCivilization Phaze III, No Commercial Potentialoffers converts and connoisseurs the most practical and penetrating book ever written on the musical phenomenon known as Frank Zappa.

Author Biography

David Walley is a freelance writer, editor, and cultural historian who lives with his wife Geli, four children, and numerous animals in Williamstown, Massachusetts."

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	p. xv
Foreword to the Da Capo Edition	p. xvii
You're Probably Wondering Why I'm Here	p. 2
Introduction to the prime subject
Small portrait
Snapshot cultural history of period early fifties to early sixties
The mask and the man
I'm Losing Status at the High School	p. 12
Childhood of Frank Zappa
Introduce father
High school period with Ernie Tossi, vice-principal in charge of discipline at Antelope Valley High School
Early influences, r and b and Varese
Cocktail bar experience
Cucamonga Studio Z and subsequent bust for conspiracy to commit pornography
Exile to LA and formation of original Mothers
Hungry Freaks Daddy	p. 44
Portrait of LA early sixties
Cultural history of early sixties and emergence of folkrock
The scene in LA: Vito, Carl Franzoni, Cantor's Delicatessen bust
Zappa's first break into Hollywood with Mondo Hollywood-a sexploitation film
Introduction and short history of Herbie the Manager
Introduction of Pamela Zarubica known as The Cheese
Frank Zappa's early days in Hollywood
Freak Out and the scene
Zappa on drugs
Zappa and real freaks
Big break: Guambo, Great Underground Arts Masqued Ball and Orgy held by the LA Free Press
Sunset Strip and burgeoning youth consciousness
Frank Zappa's political reactions and philosophy
Only In It for the Money	p. 72
Greenwich Village in mid-sixties
Emergent "head" culture
Making of Absolutely Free and some exigesis
Garrick Theater, Pigs and Repugnant, attendant happenings
More Mothers
Haegstrum guitars
We're Only In It For the Money and Lumpy Gravy
Interviews with Gary Kellgren, engineer
Money as reflection of cultural scene: unpleasant premonitions August through October '67
Cover hassle with Beatles
Money exigesis
More Mothers
Frank Zappa as cultural rock guru
Zappa's tour of Scandinavia: now that I'm here what am I going to do?
Project X	p. 96
Additional musicians Underwood, Tripp
Film projects Uncle Meat, Burnt Weenie Sandwich
Explanation of Uncle Meat and Cruising with Ruben and the Jets
Zappa's artistic visions
Zappa signals, techniques
Band members comment: Zappa as thief
Formation of Bizarre/Straight and attendant difficulties
Some Bizarre albums
Captain Beefheart remembers Bizarre relationship
Bizarre as creature of Herb Cohen
Selling of Bizarre to Warners and breakup of old Mothers
The Little House I Used to Live in	p. 120
Condition of old Mothers on breakup of band
Analysis of Zappa aesthetic
Short cultural history 1967-1970: The Selling of the Counter Culture
Zappa's other films, Uncle Meat, Burnt Weenie Sandwich
Hot Rats
Zappa in the editing room
Pauley Pavillion premier of 200 Motels
Zappa views "serious" music scene
The Turtles
Zappa is viewed
I Run the World from City Hall	p. 140
Frank Zappa in the present
As human being
Views of his art
Other people's views of his art
Rebuttals
Objectivity
Zappa in the center of personal drama
The parable of success and the single musician
What he wants to do
What he's doing
Logical conclusion
Cosmic Debris?	p. 154
From Grand Wazoo to Joe's Garage in a decade
Aftermaths of The Accident
More clues to the Project/ Object
The filth hounds of Hollywood
Punky's perversion
Innocence revealed
I'm Not Satisfied	p. 182
Continuing the saga
Results of total creative/conceptual control via the Archive and the Utility Muffin Research Kitchen
Xenochrony, where everything is happening all the time, or How You Can Do That Onstage anywhere anytime
Classical LSO and Boulez interludes
Teaching metal men to sing and other Synclavier tales
The infamous '88 tour meltdown and consequences
First Amendment showdown in Ronnie and George's America, holiday in Prague, and the Empire Bites Back
The making of Civilization Phaze III
Zappa's Big C cosmic schmeck
"untimely" passing, ironic waves, consequent apotheosis, and virtual transmigration to more ethereal venues
Afterword	p. 209
Bibliography	p. 213
Fanzines	p. 215
Discography	p. 217
Videography	p. 220
Zappa on the Internet	p. 222
Table of Contents provided by Syndetics. All Rights Reserved.