Everyone has the one artist that changed their life. Whether it meant being ambitious, having a new mindset, or picking up an instrument. We all have the one artist who spoke to us more than any person ever could.
Though I have plenty of musical influences that changed my life for the better, one who stood out to me was the legend himself, Frank Zappa. He genuinely became my everything basically overnight.
As someone who strives for experimental rock groups, he was my idol and continues to be. I always admired Zappa's way of life. He was spontaneous, authentic, and knew how to make music both inclining and fun at the same time.
Frank Zappa was one of a kind
To be fair, there is not an artist quite like himself, and I doubt there ever will be again. He continuously pushed boundaries both musically in time signatures, while also having the most ludicrous lyrics someone has ever heard.
However, that's what made him so great. The music was addictive in it's composition, having various time signatures people couldn't recreate twice, having some of the most talented individuals tour with him, and of course, being such an underrated guitarist.
Alas, here is my go-to list of all things Zappa that makes him one of a kind, which is still too bad for us, but we have his son, Dweezil, who continues to pass on the torch of Zappa music.
In studio recordings
When it comes to Zappa, there is a distinctive difference between his studio work versus stage presence. His studio work was crafted to ultimate perfection and once you go to Zappa, you just never go back or forget.
In his studio work, he has some pretty distinctive studio albums that I listen to at least once a day regardless on how I'm feeling.
Hot Rats (1969)
Possibly the most timeless and offering the inside beauty of jazz-fusion, this album was a repeat on my radio show. It makes me miss the thrill of spinning to what I believed to be some of the best work music had to offer the world.
Known as one of his most famous tracks, "Peaches En Regalia" is a staple of not just music, but passion for your creation.
One of the greatest moments in my life was finding this album, let alone finding an original vinyl record from 1969 really set the tone for my admiration of Zappa. It felt raw and authentic, music that was never mainstream, but should've been seen more by the general public.
This album was a definition of "they don't make it like this anymore", and it's ultimately true. Since, it's not rock, or jazz, or even psychedelic, it's just simply Zappa.
I learned this very quickly when I listened to "Willie the Pimp" for the first time. I did not think it was possible to be that good until I sat down and heard it for the first time back in 2020, which is so ironic to think I can still recall where I was at that time to feel my mind shift to a place it had never reached before.
Apostrophe(') (1974)
A more sentimental studio album for me knowing I got the chance to see Dweezil perform this album, not once, but twice! Which both times filled my heart with great joy knowing it was a Zappa show and there is still a wonderful community of people that find love in Zappa music just as much as I do, even if I was the youngest one there.
A song that was a staple of humor, but being addictively full of rock sound was track no.5 with "Cosmik Debris" as lyrically, it was hilarious. Since what is a cosmik debris? I'm not sure, but the wicked guitar solo makes you forget what you were confused about with when it came to the lyrics.
He was like a monster when it came to riffs since he was using the same melodies, but produced a different way of sound each time. It was just remarkable how he could record all this music under his own label without the influence of outsiders.
Chunga's Revenge (1970)
As in my opinion, one of his more underrated albums, Chunga's Revenge is passionate, infectious and a reminder of what a beatnik coffee house was.
The fourth track, "The Nancy & Mary Music" feels like a live recording of some sort, but's not. It sounded like it was taken from a jazz club, but not at the same time. It's perfect with no notes of improvement. Zappa knew exactly what he needed to do when he released this spontaneous album of thrill, mystery, and experiment.
What I wouldn't give to hear this song for the first time again. It was magical how the sounds began to change in my headphones as it went through one ear and out the other. It made me appreciate how someone so talented could exist before I could see him in concert.
Live recordings
If there's one thing about Frank Zappa, there truly will never be another stage presence quite like he had. If the studio weren't impressive enough, his live recordings should sure do the trick especially since he sounds not just the same, but possibly even better if possible.
The thing about his live shows is that he kept it fresh with new members for tours, even known for having "try-outs" to see who got lucky enough to play with him, which looking back looked like an honor.
"Pygmy Twylyte" - Live at the Roxy (1974)
What sounds like it was made in the studio, was indeed only a live performance special. Of course, Zappa delivered during Roxy & Elsewhere in 1974.
He and his group had such a magical stage performance, yet the lyrics genuinely make no sense, but who cares anyway? It sounds absolutely fantastic that I'm jealous I can't time travel.
I loved everything about this live piece, it was loud, it had spunk and could make you instantly groove based off musical presence alone.
"Apostrophe" & "Camarillo Brillo"- Live in Hollywood (1974)
My two favorite songs combined into one off Zappa's compilation, Cheaper than Cheep, released in 1974 as a tour documentary. I was simply obsessed with every minute of it.
Frank used to do home recordings of his own shows, and it feels so nostalgic to watch now in 2025, knowing it is a piece of history that will be cherished by his fans until the end of time. Since, great music has no expiration date, he was a one of kind genius.
As you watch his performances, you feel like you're there in the audience, enjoying yourself dancing and appreciating the music that is definitely Zappa and nothing else. However, I was just that lucky to experience Dweezil's tribute, which was equally as thrilling and memorable as Zappa continues to live on forever.
"Muffin Man" - Live on Halloween at the Palladium (1977)
Saving the best for last comes his live video performance of his song "Muffin Man," which was probably one of his most comical songs, lyrically speaking, while also being his most legendary guitar solo, in my opinion.
He's genuinely a hero in this recording, from tossing toilet paper, shaking it up with his fans while shredding guitar with the other hand, he was everything.
This is seriously some legendary stuff as he sings about muffins and then shreds a guitar like it's no one's business. Not many can achieve a status such as that, but Zappa did. He is the true meaning of a guitar hero. Nearly thirty years after his death, the world has never seen his equal, nor will we ever.