Frank Zappa A&E Biography part 1/5

[nickjames46]

therefore, he stunk

[nickjames46]

zappa was a musician but he had no soul in his music

[Informatisse]

@nickjames46 LoL, it's all the opposite : his way of playing guitar with his guts, of composing extraordinary musical landscape, is the soul you don't see. You're just closed to this kind of intelligence and feeling.

[Informatisse]

@nickjames46 And listen to this incredibly emotionnal pieces : Watermelon in Easter Hay

Album version : watch?v=T0bwtMPXG_0

Live Version : watch?v=q_F36BafKis

[fadethetrade]

@nickjames46 I heard many of his classical pieces and numerous guitar solos and big band ensembles and he had more soul in his music then most soul musicians!

[AllStarBugler]

Sounds like Martin Bashir narrating

[videotuna]

this is basically the bbc documentry aired in early 93....

[muffinfucker226]

what song is 7:42

[5jerry1]

@muffinfucker226

That's an exerpt from The Mothers of Invention performing the instrumental called "King Kong." I don't remember where this was done, but it aired in 1968, probably on the BBC.

[1dorbel]

Even the indie scene here is beat. Basically a bunch of bands ripping off and dumbing down ortega fuerte. The machine keeps feeding itself. about twelve people know about ortega fuerte because they refuse to play the game, but you can catch their sound, dumbed down, on fleet foxes and about a thousand other hipster indie records. Go figure.

[fadethetrade]

HIs beard?? He didn't have a beard you asshole. Angry man?? He loved life,he hated stupidity.like yourself, peter graves!

[edwardschlosser1]

Why does it hurt when I pee?

[heylittlehouse]

Charlie Chaplain is British....

[MrROTD]

kinda funny how the established media embraces Zappa now when he was all about being way out there

[cowboydan0]

ZAPPER

[mrpresident4200]

whats the song that he's playing starting at 02:36 ?

awesome sound

[5jerry1]

@mrpresident4200

I'm pretty sure that was just a free-form jam. It's not on any of the records from that era.

[voicesinmehead]

usa own the world....hahaha the world hate the usa, lets see how long they last whne a revolt on that thought goes down

[fadethetrade]

He's the angry young man of music??

Frank loved life and had fun doing it.He didn't like the stupidity in our society.Today,frank would be extremely dissapointed

This peter graves is an asshole!

[nakedtaxidermist]

....and now all of a sudden, after years of ignoring him he was an american genius.

dipshits.

[VideeWell]

Can someone tell me the name of the song playing at around 2:35 into the video?

[MeistroMac91]

pfffft "the universe is made out of stupidity" what a pessimistic nerd! and his music fucking sucked too. Im glad hes dead. Nothing but technicality and no acknowledging the melody this guy sucks.

[TimHensley28]

@MeistroMac91 I agree ALL music should be made the way YOU like it.

[taylor410ce]

@MeistroMac91 could you do better you punk bitch?

[TimHensley28]

@taylor410ce no he fuckin can't

[TeamSancheZz]

@MeistroMac91 Sucked so much to be in the rock and roll hall of fame.... go eat a bowl of dicks u dumbass.

[MeistroMac91]

@TeamSancheZz ooo ur soo cool! Ppl only get famous cuz their in the right place at the right time nothing more.

[TeamSancheZz]

@MeistroMac91 Obviously you haven't worked for anything in your life before have you? Some people get lucky yes, some people worked for it. Clearly Zappa invented his style of music. I don't think the style just stumbled across him at the right time and then all of a sudden everyone knew who he was. If you knew anything about Zappa, he worked his ass off producing his music until the day he died. Get a clue, because your ignorance is hysterical.

[MeistroMac91]

@TeamSancheZz I havent worked for anything in my life? I come from a pretty poor family and I work hard to produce my music also, why am i not famous? Because im not in USA thats why. I was sooo dedicated to music I picked up a guitar and learned songs that caught my attention by EAR. I had to be self taught because no one around where I was wanted to teach me and we lived pretty far from a city. I know plenty of underground musicians who play more technical music than zappa.

[TimHensley28]

@MeistroMac91 "why am I not famous? Because I'm not in USA that's why." HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA­HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA­HAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH­AHAHAHA yeah I'm sure that's the reason. Everyone with musical talent over here is totally famous. You better get here so you can be famous too. I can't believe you're not here already being that it's the only reason you're not famous. Hurry up and get here, we are all being deprived of your rich musical stylings.

[MeistroMac91]

@TimHensley28 lol wtf are u laughing at! I speak nothing but the truth I know plenty of underground musicians that make much more thought provoking, more progressive and technical music than zappa, but their in either random parts of Europe or fucking obscure places in Asia. Why dont u try opening ur damn mind and stop listening to everything thats only on the radio.

[TimHensley28]

@MeistroMac91 First of all Technical in music = Worthless if that's all you have. Who cares who the most technical band is?! Obviously no one that's why these people you speak of aren't famous. MUSIC IS NOT A COMPETITION. Second, I don't know where you live but they don't play Zappa on the radio here, also I don't own a radio and wont listen to one. Third there are just as many "technical players in America as anywhere else and they aren't famous cause no one in America cares about that shit.

[TimHensley28]

@MeistroMac91 If you think that all you have to do is be in America to be famous in the music industry then I am laughing at YOU.

[MeistroMac91]

@TimHensley28 good that just shows how retarded YOU are because if u havent noticed by now U.S.A pretty much owns the world.

[TimHensley28]

@MeistroMac91 It shows how retarded one of us is for sure. If what you say is right then you're the retarded one for not getting off your ass and moving here, but I suspect you know the real truth witch is that you will be just as unknown here if not more than anywhere else you have ever been in your life. U.S.A. owning the world has no effect on whether or not you'll be famous. In fact you probably have a much better chance of rising to the top of whatever small pond you are currently in.

[MeistroMac91]

@TimHensley28 U know what I was actually maybe considering moving to the U.S once I get my passport, that has nothing to do with me being desperately wanting to be famous, all that can wait. I choose to stay in Canada because its more peaceful here. And once again if u havent noticed most damn music, movies, and tv shows come from the U.S.A. If u dont like my thoughts u dont have to comment back but I speak the truth.

[moneybagsjones]

Who the fuck is Zapperrrr?

[Juanabobana]

Worst intro ever. You guys got it right. Jeez teevee people, study a tad before you smear your genius in our ears.

[zappahart]

why dont they play this on tv anymore . when a&e plays a week of rock bios frank is nowhere to be found!!!! shame

[c1l9i7n9t]

I love how in the introduction, the host says "even if you don't like his music..." This is a polite way of saying "Listen, we know his music sucks, but look at what a pioneer he was..." ha ha

[MickeyLove01]

this was done by the BBC

[SecretAgent068]

Warner Brothers can suck a big fat purple donkey dick!

[fadethetrade]

Maybe our parents would have thought he was unique! The angry young man of music? Where is the evidence of his anger towards the world.Why does Biography come to that conclusion?

[chyrd]

OMG... who wrote the copy for the beginning narration... they should be keel hauled

[ryanzappa]

"He played guitar, he wrote funny songs, he had scary looking hair." What the hell Peter? Beard? Don't recall Zappa sporting much of a beard. Nobody can get Frank right.

[fadethetrade]

@ryanzappa Yeah,I think he played in one concert in 1970 sporting a weeks growth but a beard??The producers of this documentary were definetely not pro zappa. I would have added alot more amazing band and orchestral music in these clips.

[robonez]

Even though I've written and recorded music for 31 years, I probably only understand about 0,5% of Zappa's genius!

I thoroughly enjoy it though!

\m/

[kickinitonthetube]

awesome that there was a reference to franks mustache

[Jeansieguy]

What a pack of arseholes Warner Bros are!

[cellardoor199991]

Hydrogen building block? i thought it was carbon

[TimHensley28]

@cellardoor199991 nope google it.

[annoythefish]

@cellardoor199991 Science lesson, Simplest element is hydrogen, every other elemental is more complex and a lot of it is made directly from Hydrogen through fission in stars.

[zappazapidappasoo]

Does anyone know what album the music is from at a bout 3.58 - I have to buy it!

[thecreepingmess]

@zappazapidappasoo It's Blessed Relief from Grand Wazoo.

[Gtrtech]

What is the song at 2:35? I don't remember this from any of the albums.....maybe a revised version of something? Driving me crazy.....

[5jerry1]

@Gtrtech

I'm pretty sure it's just a free-form jam; The Mothers of Invention did a lot of that, but you probably already know this. Just saying in case.

[00aeonapocalypse]

Wow, what an introduction..."He played guitar, he wrote funny songs, he had scary looking hair." That sounds like something my dumbass mom would say.

[pvrdvd123]

Frank was absolutely right, Warner Brothers SUCKS!

[googoobh]

Still one of my favorites , and though it is said much too often , it is very true in this case ..... He was one of a kind , and truly BRILLIANT !!!!

[fadethetrade]

@googoobh I've always maintained,in my opinion,as a musicologist,he was in the top 3 of greatest composers,next to Beethoven and stravinsky.

[googoobh]

@fadethetrade I wouldn't dispute that at all. Others might , but I just loved the guy.

I often tell people who think Zappa was just a novelty song writer to listen to "Watermelon and Easter Hay" Maybe the most morose instrumental ever. Zappa was a brilliant musician as well as innovative and way ahead of his time.

[fadethetrade]

@googoobh I tell people to listen to him conduct the berlin orchestra performing G spot tornado(on youtube).Even stravinsky would be impressed.

[googoobh]

@fadethetrade I have not seen that ... But I haven't heard or seen everything on Zappa either. I tell you in Cleveland in the late eighties / 90's there was a radio show on Cleveland state broadcasting that played Zappa only , on very early Friday mornings for about 3 hours , and the DJ had a really great Zappa library and played all Zappa and many rare Zappa stuff too. I really learned an appreciation for the man from that show. Although I loved his music since the 70's.

[TimHensley28]

Part 2 is now missing cause Warner Brothers had it removed.

[fadethetrade]

He didnt have a beard,asshole!!

[eldorado61guy]

I don't see part Two

[MistahhB]

What's the song playing at 3:30?

[5jerry1]

@MistahhB

"Blessed Relief."

[Kenjutsumasters]

Why does it hurt when I pee best zappa song ever lol

[Chronepsis5]

if that old british fuctard doesn,t stop implying exess where none exists ill fuck him up.

[Jethrofinger]

Zappa's archives are ridiculously amazing. I can't think of anyone else who keeps track of their own music like that. I don't know how much of it has been released. I saw on Amazon that Frank's studio albums were out of print for a short time but now most of them are back up at lower prices! Like say you want....Absolutely Free. $6.99. Double albums like Joe's Garage and Uncle Meat and triple sets like Shut Up N Play Yer Guitar...$14.95. Check em out!

[NewAgeEagles]

i saw zappa plays zappa this summer with dream theater and it was friggen awesome

[LaMuerteAmarilla]

He improvised it in the song King Kong, I think

[ApollosRevival]

You're right! Just checked out the BBC version. Kind of tame in comparison to this one, but nevertheless the same song. Thanks!

[ApollosRevival]

That bluesy stuff he starts at 2:48 is awesome! Wish I could find it.

[Shinmeiryu]

It sounds so familiar to me, it's like the name of the piece is on the tip of my tongue. I'm going to listen to some 60s Mothers, and see if I can figure out what it is.

[turtlepace72]

if you have a great idea keep it to yourself

[Neptuneman07]

Love the Jazz Rock jams in this first segment of A&E Biography. Frank was simply awesome!

[aap333]

the part at 1.46 is either an improvisation into or out of help i'm rock

[Pshyster]

at 1:46 I would bet my soul that it's "Help, I'm a Rock" at 2:48 who knows? I've been trying to solve that mystery since this aired on A&E. I've heard different people say it was "Transylvania Boogie" but I'm not convinced.

[illfinite]

seriously 1:46 what's that performance called..sounds crazy good

[Shinmeiryu]

Sounds like, "Help, I'm a Rock!"

[dharmaseed]

And at 2:48, sorry!

[dharmaseed]

What's the song playing at 1:46? Any Zappa-philes know?

[5jerry1]

@dharmaseed

Although "Transylvania Boogie" wasn't officially released until 1970, this clip you mention sounds like it may be an early version.

[dharmaseed]

@5jerry1 There is a version on 'Ahead of Their Time', from 1968. I'll check that! Thanks

[5jerry1]

@dharmaseed

"Help I'm A Rock!/Transylvania Boogie." They share a key and time signature. This sounds like it could be that piece, but from a different performance.

"Conceptual Continuity."

[cr1msonking93]

er....fuck you

[funkyalfonso]

Family Guy thought of The Fonz as a supreme being. Funny, that's how I always thought of Frank.

[alan5465]

Frank, I miss you too much. Long live in all us.

[gnowave]

"how many people died of doing the kama sutra? how man people died of the bible? who wins?" nice one frank

[sparksrule]

"Scary looking hair" bloody hell...

[Nisp4]

@sparksrule Seriously... wtf?

[stiggyh]

@sparksrule yea and a nice nose

[tab1990]

This is all from the BBC. Fuck A&E thieving bastards.

[RevSyd]

We don't get the BBC here in the US (no license fees) so sometimes our cable networks purchase rights to good BBC documentaries.

From the looks of it he'd just died, so they rushed this out instead of making a new one. Not very original, but not quite thievery.

[DogEBreath]

Frank with a goldtop is gold.

[Majase]

Awesome upload man!Thank ya, thank ya, thank ya!

"For the record, folks; I never took a shit on stage and the closest I ever came to eating shit anywhere was at a Holiday Inn buffet in Fayetteville, North Carolina, in 1973."

I ate there too Frank, I wholeheartedly agree, lol.

[Alpesinger]

thank you so much for uploading this.

Zappa is the greatest guitar player & the biggest hero ever!!

[mightyhighrocks]

Can you imagine them trying to sell advertising for this?

[brodtoddman]

Thanks a lot for posting this! It figures A&E won't play it again! Typical! By the way check out my Zappa influenced stop motion animation with original music I wrote and performed. Type in "Sub Subterranean Sub Sandwich." I'm most interested in what a Zappa fan thinks rather than the masses!

[5jerry1]

@brodtoddman

Nice music, sounds like "Zappa In New York" (1978) minus the horns.

Didn't care for the visuals (take it as you will); just choppy-looking and pointless.