INTERVIEWS & OTHER HOT LINKS
[Updated November 20, 1999]
Interviews With FZ
Those who had the privilege of spending time with Frank Zappa nearly all remember him as a remarkable human being: articulate, witty, down-to-earth, perceptive, daring, hard-working (perhaps "driven" would be a better word), endlessly creative, and sometimes infuriating. Although most of these qualities are present in his music, it is fortunate that so many interviews with Zappa exist to help complete the picture. The following are some particularly fine examples. Please note that the Downbeat interview is not currently available online (so far as I know) but may be obtained from the library or directly from the publisher. After reading these conversations, ask yourself how a man who barely made it through high school—and who hated to read—acquired such an impressive store of knowledge. On the other hand, this may also explain why some of the things Zappa said are so bone-headed.
- Spin Interview with Bob Guccione Jr., July 1991
This medium-length interview touches on education in America, Zappa's childhood, the Gulf War, thoughts on popular music and Zappa's contemplated run for the U.S. presidency.
- Playboy Interview with David Sheff, May 1993
Probably the best single Zappa interview available on the Web; it covers a wide range of subjects in considerable detail.
- Downbeat Interview with John Diliberto & Kimberly Haas, November 1981
In this marvelous interview, Zappa talks about the music of composer Edgard Varese, revealing how many parallels there are with his own music.
- Zappa! Interview with Don Menn, April-June 1992, Part 1 /
Part 2
Essential reading for anyone interested in Frank's music, this very lengthy interview covers it all, from his beginnings as a composer and band leader up through The Yellow Shark and Civilization Phaze III.
Reminiscences Of Others
Bill Lantz has posted several wonderful conversations with people who knew Frank during some phase of his career. While each of these folks has something enlightening to say about Zappa, I am particularly intrigued by the statements of Pamela Goldsmith (who played viola with FZ's Abuceals Emuukha Electric Symphony Orchestra in the mid-seventies) and David Ocker ( who served as Zappa's musical assistant from 1977-84). Please visit
Bill Lantz's Homepage for other such links.
- A Conversation With Pamela Goldsmith
In this brief but amusing series of email exchanges, read about the adventures of a young, classically-trained musician that Zappa asked to play wah-wah viola!
- A Conversation With David Ocker
This lengthy interview is a goldmine for anyone interested in learning more about Zappa's "serious" music. Ocker also offers valuable insights into FZ's character, gleaned from seven years of working with him.
Freedom Of Expression
One of Frank's most fervent interests was to safeguard the guarantee of free speech embodied in the First Amendment to the Constitution. In 1985, Zappa had the opportunity to confront this issue directly. He testified before a committee of the U.S. Senate considering "a voluntary rating system" for music lyrics that was proposed by the Parents Music Resource Center (a group of well-connected Washington wives). Eleven years later, the Clinton administration made a broadly similar attempt to regulate pornography on the Internet through the Communications Decency Act (CDA). Although Frank had been dead for nearly three years by then, it is a safe bet that he would have applauded the U.S. District Court's decision to strike down the CDA in ACLU v. Reno.
Various Other Links
There are many, many web sites devoted to the life and music of Frank Zappa, most of which contain links to other such sites. As a result, virtually anything you want to know about Frank Zappa is available somewhere on the Internet. Here are five notable places to obtain information:
- The Real Frank Zappa Home Page
The Zappa family's official web site.
- St. Alphonso's Pancake Home Page
One of the best of the many sites created by and for the Zappa fan.
- Maybe You Thought I Was The Packard Goose
Formerly part of Eric Martin's "Iron Sausage," this is currently the Mother-of-all Zappa interview sites. If an interview exists anywhere on the web, you'll find it here.
- Rykodisc Records
Owner of the bulk of Zappa's master recordings, Rykodisc has done an admirable job of re-releasing the canon in recent years.
- alt.fan.frank-zappa
Not a web site, but a Usenet newsgroup. Regular contributors dissect every piece of Zappa trivia imaginable.
