He was interested in music at an early age and pursued his desire in school. For a short time, Frank Zappa attended Chaffey College in Alta Loma, California. He dropped out of school and instead made a few films and bought a low-budget recording studio. While running the recording studio he joined a band, The Soul Giants, which was later named The Mothers of Invention. He could sing, play acoustic and electric guitar. Zappa also composed all of the band's original songs.
In 1966, The Mothers recorded their first album titled Freak Out! After Freak Out!, over twenty more albums were released by Zappa. Zappa and The Mothers of Invention created a large following for their creative music and outrageous stage antics. He was influenced by the many classical figures including Stravinsky, Stockhausen, and Varèse. The classical influences were never more evident than with the score for his movie 200 Motels that he scored for full symphony orchestra. Along with the classical figures, there were other roots to his music, including Muddy Waters and Johnny Watson.
Zappa was one of the most creative and well known record-makers of his time with a genuis in his compositions and performance. He released an enormous amount of music to the public throughout his career with a sense of humor and a truley unique personality that was very honest and open but often offensive. He spent a good deal of time as an advocate for free speech including testifying to congress.
Movie:
200 Motels
Songs:
Peaches en Regalia
Willie The Pimp
The Mud Shark
Bwana Dik
Cletus Awreetus-Awrightus
Dinah-Moe Humm
Don't Eat The Yellow Snow
Stink Foot
Penguin In Bondage
Muffin Man
The Illinois Enema Bandit
Catholic Girls
Disco Boy
Dog Breath, In The Year Of The Plague
Albums:
Freak Out! - 1966
Absolutely Free - 1967
We're Only In It For The Money - 1968
Lumpy Gravy - 1968
Cruising With Ruben & The Jets - 1968
Uncle Meat - 1969
Hot Rats - 1969
Burnt Weeny Sandwich - 1969
Weasels Ripped My Flesh - 1970
Chunga's Revenge - 1970
Fillmore East, June 1971 - 1971 (live)
Just Another Band From L.A. - 1972
Waka/Jawaka - 1972
The Grand Wazoo - 1972
Over-night Sensation - 1973
Apostrophe - 1974
Roxy & Elsewhere - 1974
One SIze Fits All - 1975
Bongo Fury - 1975
Zoot Allures - 1976
Zappa In New York - 1976
Studio Tan - 1976
Sleep Dirt - 1976
Sheik Ywebouti - 1979
Joe's Garage Acts I, II & III - 1979
Baby Snakes - 1977
