Continuing my reflections on the musical genius that is Frank Zappa.

Frank used to say that he felt the only way people would take his music seriously would be if he composed rock songs. Something to that effect. Towards the end of his life Frank went on to compose several brilliant classical music pieces which put him up there with the great classical composers of previous eras.

Frank’s classical music injected humour and the use of unusual sounds. This of course was much the same for his rock music that he did.

I never knew until fairly recently that even with Frank’s rock adventures, he often if not always wrote out parts for musicians. When I think of how much work must have gone into that process alone my brain goes into overload! No wonder Frank was such a workaholic! He had lots of work to do!

Frank’s use of the Synclavier as a compositional tool is an under-rated accomplishment in music. The Synclavier is a keyboard able to program and store thousands of different types of sounds. Zappa used this instrument to complete several works. Of note was Civilization Phaze III which was apparently completed shortly before his passing.

I was grateful to learn that like Twister Sister frontman Dee Snider, Frank also would testify before the much hated Parents Music Resource Center, in defence of free speech.

I probably could go on about Frank for longer. There is a great NBC interview with Frank on YouTube where he talked openly about his battle with prostate cancer, and his career. There is also the great Mothers of Invention Movie, and a ton of great Zappa documentaries available. I cannot get enough of watching this content.

Zappa has taught the world to speak loudly when you want to. If you have something to say, through words or music, say it.

Zappa’s music can be heard on Sirius 16 The Deep Tracks.