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Frank Zappa (1940–1993)


Of all the qualities that typified Frank Zappa, perhaps the most striking is that he was a paradox. A workaholic perfectionist rock star who eschewed the hippie culture of the 1960s, deploring its conformism, spurious ideals, and drug use, Zappa was not only a brilliant rock guitarist, but an orchestral composer... See full bio »

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Known For


Filmography

Hide HideSoundtrack (40 titles)
2011 Unlawful Killing (documentary) (performer: "Dumb All Over" - uncredited)
 
2011 Cry Baby: The Pedal that Rocks the World (video documentary) (writer: "Willie The Pump" / performer: "Willie The Pump")
 
2009 Slovenian Girl (writer: "Bobby Brown goes down")
 
2007 Things We Lost in the Fire (writer: "The Little House I Used To Live In", "Black Napkins" / performer: "The Little House I Used To Live In", "Black Napkins")
 
2006 I Love the '70s: Volume 2 (TV series)
1979 (2006) (performer: "Joe's Garage")
 
2004 Working Slowly (Radio Alice) ("Peaches en regalia")
 
2003 Mayor of the Sunset Strip (documentary) (producer: "Rodney")
 
2001 Y Tu Mamá También (writer: "Watermelon in Easter Hay" / performer: "Watermelon in Easter Hay" / producer: "Watermelon in Easter Hay")
 
1999 Tutti gli uomini del deficiente (writer: "Tell Me You Love Me")
 
1999 Se buscan fulmontis (writer: "Dirty Love" Overnite Sensation version / music: "Dirty Love" Overnite Sensation version / lyrics: "Dirty Love" Overnite Sensation version)
 
1998 Goodbye, 20th Century (writer: "Cocaine Decisions" / producer: "Cocaine Decisions" / arranger: "Cocaine Decisions")
 
1997 Closure (video documentary) (writer: "Broken Hearts Are for Assholes" / performer: "Broken Hearts Are for Assholes")
 
1997 The Ice Storm (writer: "Dirty Love" / performer: "Dirty Love")
 
1997 Happy Together ("Chunga's Revenge", "I Have Been In You")
 
1994 Duckman: Private Dick/Family Man (TV series)
Not So Easy Riders (1994) (music: "Disco Boy" - uncredited, "Help, I'm a Rock" - uncredited, "Take Your Clothes Off When You Dance" - uncredited, "Friendly Little Finger" - uncredited)
Ride the High School (1994) (music: "Hungry Freaks, Daddy" - uncredited)
Psyche (1994) (music: "What's the Ugliest Part of Your Body?" - uncredited, "Dirty Love" - uncredited, "Grand Wazoo" - uncredited, "Sinister Footwear II" - uncredited / lyrics: "What's the Ugliest Part of Your Body?" - uncredited)
 
1994 Tohuwabohu (TV series)
Seite 17 (1994) (performer: "Bobby Brown" - uncredited)
 
1993 Beavis and Butt-Head (TV series)
Canoe (1993) (writer: "You Are What You Is" / performer: "You Are What You Is")
 
1993 Beasts (short) (writer: "G-Spot Tornado", "Cletus Awreetus-Awrightus")
 
1990 Parker Lewis Can't Lose (TV series)
Operation Kubiak (1990) (writer: "You Are What You Is" / performer: "You Are What You Is" / producer: "You Are What You Is")
 
1990 Daddy's Dyin'... Who's Got the Will? (writer: "Harder Than Your Husband")
 
1990 Waiting for the Light (writer: "Memories of El Monte")
 
1990 Hellgate (writer: "MEMORIES OF EL MONTE")
 
1989 X-Large (TV series documentary)
Frank Zappa - 20 Jahre Extravaganza (1989) (performer: "You Are What You Is" - uncredited, "Mr. Green Genes" - uncredited, "Bobby Brown", "Baby Snakes", "Keep It Greasy" - uncredited, "Sharleena" - uncredited, "Uncle Remus" - uncredited, "He's So Gay" - uncredited, "Joe's Garage" - uncredited)
 
1988 Colors (writer: "MEMORIES OF EL MONTE")
 
1987 The Amazing Mr. Bickford (video) (writer: "Naval Aviation In Art?", "Mo 'N Herb's Vacation", "Dupree's Paradise", "The Perfect Stranger")
 
1987 Uncle Meat (video documentary) (writer: "The Uncle Meat Variations", "Dog Breath, In The Year Of The Plague", "Mr. Green Genes", "Holiday In Berlin, Full-Blown", "Mother People", "I'm Not Satisfied", "Tengo Na Minchia Tanta" / performer: "Tengo Na Minchia Tanta")
 
1985 Does Humor Belong in Music? (video documentary) (writer: "Zoot Allures", "Tinsel Town Rebellion", "More Trouble Every Day", "Hot-Plate Heaven At The Green Hotel", "The Dangerous Kitchen", "He's So Gay", "Bobby Brown", "Keep It Greasey", "Honey, Don't You Want A Man Like Me?", "Dinah-Moe Humm", "Cosmik Debris", "Be In My Video", "Dancin' Fool" / performer: "Zoot Allures", "Tinsel Town Rebellion", "More Trouble Every Day", "Hot-Plate Heaven At The Green Hotel", "The Dangerous Kitchen", "He's So Gay", "Bobby Brown", "Keep It Greasey", "Honey, Don't You Want A Man Like Me?", "Dinah-Moe Humm", "Cosmik Debris", "Be In My Video", "Dancin' Fool", "Whippin' Post")
 
1983 The Chipmunks (TV series)
 
1980 Animalympics (writer: "I Don't Think I Can Go Through This Again" / producer: "I Don't Think I Can Go Through This Again")
 
1980 Frank Zappa: New York and Elsewhere (TV documentary) (performer: "You Are What You Is" - uncredited, "Mudd Club" - uncredited, "Chunga's Revenge" - uncredited, "Beauty Knows No Pain" - uncredited, "Bobby Brown" - uncredited, "I Don't Wanna Get Drafted" - uncredited, "Joe's Garage" - uncredited, "Baby Snakes" - uncredited, "Why Does It Hurt When I Pee?" - uncredited)
 
1979 Baby Snakes (documentary) (writer: "I Have Been In You", "I'm So Cute", "City Of Tiny Lites", "Dancin' Fool", "Duck Duck Goose", "Yo' Mama's Rubber Shirt", "Return Of The Son of Shut Up and Play Your Guitar", "Whatever Happened To All The Fun In The World?", "Wait A Minute...We Gotta Get Into Something Real", "Revenge of The Knick Knack People", " The Adventures of Greggery Peccary", "Sexual Harrasment In The Workplace", "Hot Poop", "Time Is Money" / performer: "Baby Snakes", "Titties 'N Beer", "The Black Page #2", "Jones Crusher", "Disco Boy", "Dinah-Moe-Humm", "Punky's Whips", "I Have Been In You", "I'm So Cute", "City Of Tiny Lites", "Dancin' Fool", "Duck Duck Goose", "Yo' Mama's Rubber Shirt", "Return Of The Son of Shut Up and Play Your Guitar", "Whatever Happened To All The Fun In The World?", "Wait A Minute...We Gotta Get Into Something Real", "Revenge of The Knick Knack People", " The Adventures of Greggery Peccary", "Sexual Harrasment In The Workplace", "Time Is Money" / producer: "I Have Been In You", "I'm So Cute", "City Of Tiny Lites", "Dancin' Fool", "Duck Duck Goose", "Yo' Mama's Rubber Shirt", "Return Of The Son of Shut Up and Play Your Guitar", "Whatever Happened To All The Fun In The World?", "Wait A Minute...We Gotta Get Into Something Real", "Revenge of The Knick Knack People", " The Adventures of Greggery Peccary", "Sexual Harrasment In The Workplace", "Hot Poop", "Time Is Money")
 
1979 More American Graffiti (performer: "Lumpy Gravy")
 
1976-1978 Saturday Night Live (TV series)
Frank Zappa (1978) (performer: "Dancing Fool" - uncredited, "Meek" - uncredited, "Rollo" - uncredited)
Candice Bergen/Frank Zappa (1976) (writer: "I'm the Slime", "Lagoon", "Peaches & Regalia" / performer: "I'm the Slime", "Lagoon", "Peaches & Regalia")
 
1978 Ohne Maulkorb (TV series documentary)
Cadillac Extravaganza (1978) (performer: "I'm the Slime" - uncredited, "Mystery Roach" - uncredited, "Bobby Brown" - uncredited)
 
1976 Virgin Snow (writer: "Peaches en Regalia" - uncredited / performer: "Peaches en Regalia" - uncredited)
 
1971 Pop story (TV series)
Episode #1.3 (1971) (writer: "The Little House I Used to Live In")
 
1969 Medium Cool (writer: "Oh No" - uncredited, "Who Needs the Peace Corps?" - uncredited, "Mom and Dad" - uncredited / performer: "Oh No" - uncredited, "Who Needs the Peace Corps?" - uncredited, "Mom and Dad" - uncredited)
 
1968 The Monkees (TV series)
Monkees Blow Their Minds (1968) (writer: "Mother People" - uncredited)
 
1963 The New Steve Allen Show (TV series)
Episode dated 27 March 1963 (1963) (writer: "Concerto For Two Bicycles" - uncredited / performer: "Concerto For Two Bicycles" - uncredited)
 
1962 The World's Greatest Sinner (writer: "World's Greatest Sinner" - uncredited)
 
Show ShowComposer (18 titles)
2012 1982. L'estate di Frank (documentary short)
 
2002 Frank Zappa: Phase II - The Big Note (documentary)
 
1993 Zappa's Universe (video) (composed by)
 
1993 Beasts (short)
 
1991 Peefeeyatko (documentary)
 
1988 The True Story of Frank Zappa's 200 Motels (video documentary)
 
1987 The Amazing Mr. Bickford (video)
 
1987 Uncle Meat (video documentary)
 
1985 Video from Hell (video)
 
1985 Does Humor Belong in Music? (video documentary)
 
1984 The Dub Room Special! (video)
 
1979 Baby Snakes (documentary)
 
1971 200 Motels (music composed by)
 
1965 Run Home Slow
 
1962 The World's Greatest Sinner (as Zappa)
 
Show ShowActor (8 titles)
1992 The Ren & Stimpy Show (TV series)
The Pope
 
1986 Miami Vice (TV series)
Mario Fuente
Payback (1986) … Mario Fuente
 
1984 Faerie Tale Theatre (TV series)
Attilla
 
1971 200 Motels
Member of Mothers of Invention (uncredited)
 
1968 Head
The Critic
 
1968 The Monkees (TV series)
Mike Nesmith
Monkees Blow Their Minds (1968) … Mike Nesmith (uncredited)
 
1968 Sex in Today's World (short)
 
1963 The Steve Allen Playhouse (TV series)
Guest
Episode dated 31 October 1963 (1963) … Guest
 
Show ShowDirector (8 titles)
1988 The True Story of Frank Zappa's 200 Motels (video documentary)
 
1987 The Amazing Mr. Bickford (video)
 
1987 Uncle Meat (video documentary)
 
1985 Does Humor Belong in Music? (video documentary)
 
1985 Video from Hell (video)
 
1984 The Dub Room Special! (video)
 
1979 Baby Snakes (documentary)
 
1971 200 Motels (characterizations)
 
Show ShowWriter (8 titles)
1988 The True Story of Frank Zappa's 200 Motels (video documentary)
 
1987 The Amazing Mr. Bickford (video)
 
1987 Uncle Meat (video documentary)
 
1985 Does Humor Belong in Music? (video documentary)
 
1985 Video from Hell (video)
 
1984 The Dub Room Special! (video)
 
1979 Baby Snakes (documentary) (writer)
 
1971 200 Motels (story and screenplay)
 
Show ShowProducer (7 titles)
1991 Peefeeyatko (documentary) (producer)
 
1988 The True Story of Frank Zappa's 200 Motels (video documentary) (producer)
 
1987 The Amazing Mr. Bickford (video) (producer)
 
1987 Uncle Meat (video documentary) (producer)
 
1985 Does Humor Belong in Music? (video documentary) (producer)
 
1985 Video from Hell (video) (producer)
 
1979 Baby Snakes (documentary) (producer)
 
Show ShowCamera and Electrical Department (2 titles)
1987 Uncle Meat (video documentary) (additional photography)
 
1985 Video from Hell (video) (camera operator)
 
Show ShowEditorial Department (1 title)
1984 The Dub Room Special! (video) (editorial supervisor)
 
Show ShowEditor (1 title)
1979 Baby Snakes (documentary)
 
Show ShowMusic Department (1 title)
1971 200 Motels (music arranger)
 
Show ShowThanks (1 title)
1994 Duckman: Private Dick/Family Man (TV series) (dedicatee - 1 episode)
I, Duckman (1994) (dedicatee)
 
Show ShowSelf (47 titles)
1993 Ein Leben als Extravaganza - Das Genie Frank Zappa (TV documentary)
Himself (also archive footage)
 
1993 The Revenge of the Dead Indians (documentary)
Himself
 
1993 The Howard Stern Interview (TV series)
Himself
Episode #1.23 (1993) … Himself (voice)
 
1992 The Yellow Shark
Himself
 
1991 Prazakum tem je hej
Himself
 
1991 Tom Arnold: The Naked Truth (TV movie)
Himself
 
1991 Peefeeyatko (documentary)
Himself
 
1990 Today (TV series)
Himself
Episode dated 22 March 1990 (1990) … Himself
 
1990 Focus (TV series)
Himself - Guest Host
Episode dated 26 February 1990 (1990) … Himself - Guest Host
 
1989 Circus of the Stars #14 (TV special documentary)
Himself (uncredited)
 
1989 Funny (documentary)
Himself
 
1989 The Arsenio Hall Show (TV series)
Himself
Episode dated 19 June 1989 (1989) … Himself
Episode #1.22 (1989) … Himself
 
1989 X-Large (TV series documentary)
Himself
Frank Zappa - 20 Jahre Extravaganza (1989) … Himself (also archive footage)
 
1989 Decade (TV documentary)
Himself
 
1988 Kippevel (TV series)
Himself
Episode #2.1 (1988) … Himself
 
1988 Bains de minuit (TV series)
Himself
Episode dated 27 May 1988 (1988) … Himself
 
1988 The True Story of Frank Zappa's 200 Motels (video documentary)
Himself
 
1987 The Howard Stern Show (TV series)
Himself
Episode #1.4 (1987) … Himself
 
1987 The Amazing Mr. Bickford (video)
Himself
 
1987 Uncle Meat (video documentary)
Himself/The Imaginary Director
 
1986 Crossfire (TV series)
Himself
Rock 'n' Roll Ruckus (1986) … Himself
 
1986 The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (TV series)
Himself
Episode dated 4 March 1986 (1986) … Himself
 
1985 Video from Hell (video)
Himself
 
1985 Does Humor Belong in Music? (video documentary)
Himself - Guitar/Vocals
 
1984 Livewire (TV series)
Himself
Livewire (1984) … Himself
 
1984 Àngel Casas show (TV series)
Himself
Episode #1.36 (1984) … Himself
 
1984 Thicke of the Night (TV series)
Himself - Musical Guest
Episode dated 2 May 1984 (1984) … Himself - Musical Guest
 
1984 The Dub Room Special! (video)
Himself
 
1983 Cocaine Blues (documentary)
Himself
 
1982 The Rolling Stones - Die ersten 20 Jahre (TV documentary)
Himself
 
1980 Frank Zappa: New York and Elsewhere (TV documentary)
Himself
 
1979 Baby Snakes (documentary)
Himself
 
1979 Dinah! (TV series)
Himself
Episode dated 18 May 1979 (1979) … Himself
 
1976-1978 Saturday Night Live (TV series)
Himself - Host / Himself - Musical Guest / Musical Guest
Frank Zappa (1978) … Himself - Host/Musical Guest
Candice Bergen/Frank Zappa (1976) … Himself - Musical Guest
 
1978 Ohne Maulkorb (TV series documentary)
Himself
Cadillac Extravaganza (1978) … Himself
 
1977 All You Need Is Love (TV series documentary)
Himself
All Along the Watchtower: Sour Rock (1977) … Himself
 
1976 The Mike Douglas Show (TV series)
Himself
Episode dated 11 November 1976 (1976) … Himself
 
1975 The Norman Gunston Show (TV series)
Himself
Episode #2.8 (1975) … Himself
 
1973-1974 Iltatähti (TV series)
Himself
Episode dated 3 October 1974 (1974) … Himself
Episode dated 11 September 1973 (1973) … Himself
 
1971 The David Frost Show (TV series)
Himself
Episode #4.25 (1971) … Himself
 
1971 Anatomy of Pop (TV series)
Himself
Episode #1.3 (1971) … Himself
 
1968 Omnibus (TV series documentary)
Himself
All My Loving (1968) … Himself
 
1968 Late Night Lineup (TV series)
Himself
Episode dated 23 October 1968 (1968) … Himself
 
1967 Hoepla (TV series documentary)
Himself
Vreemd, vaag, verdacht (1967) … Himself (as the Mothers of invention)
 
1967 Good Evening! (TV series)
Himself
Episode #1.1 (1967) … Himself
 
1967 Inside Pop: The Rock Revolution (TV documentary)
Himself
 
1963 The New Steve Allen Show (TV series)
Himself - Musical Bicyclist
Episode dated 27 March 1963 (1963) … Himself - Musical Bicyclist
 
Show ShowArchive Footage (14 titles)
2013 The UFO Experience (documentary)
Himself - Panelist
 
2008 The Wrecking Crew (documentary)
Himself
 
2006 Weltberühmt in Österreich - 50 Jahre Austropop (TV series documentary)
 
2006 I Love the '70s: Volume 2
Himself
 
2006 EAV Rarities (video documentary short)
Himself
 
2005 Fuck (documentary)
Himself (uncredited)
 
2005 Derailroaded (documentary)
Himself
 
2004 The Greatest (TV series documentary)
 
2002 Hollywood Rocks the Movies: The 1970s (TV documentary)
Himself (1980 interview) (uncredited)
 
1999 The Male Swagger
Guitarist
 
1997 Hey, Hey We're the Monkees (TV documentary)
Mike Nesmith (episode "Monkees Blow Their Mind") (uncredited)
 
1968 You Are What You Eat (documentary)
Himself
 
1967 Mondo Hollywood (documentary)
Himself (uncredited)
 

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Personal Details

Other Works:

(1967) Album: "Absolutely Free" (Verve) See more »

Publicity Listings:

1 Print Biography  | 2 Interviews  | 9 Articles  | 6 Magazine Cover Photos  | See more »


Alternate Names:

Zappa | the Mothers of invention

Height:

6' (1.83 m)
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Did You Know?

Personal Quote:

Bad facts make bad law, and people who write bad laws are in my opinion more dangerous than songwriters who celebrate sexuality See more »

Trivia:

Is buried in an unmarked grave next to Lew Ayres in Westwood Memorial Park, Los Angeles, California. See more »

Trademark:

Dark and sarcastic sense of humour See more »

Star Sign:

Sagittarius