The Real Frank Zappa Book

Lots of Zappa books because he is finally reached known genius status. Great read and amazing. Old library book with torn dustcover. So I'm reading old funky books sold as better than this. Look out!

This man was a genius and this book shows that. It's incredibly informative and hilarious! You won't be able to put it down.

I bought this book sometime in the mid 90's on a whim. All I had heard from Zappa at the time was a cassette of his Apostrophe album that I don't even remember how I got. I read this in one sitting and it made an impression on me for being one of the funniest and most honest books I'd ever read. I let a musician friend of mine borrow it and I never saw it again.I've recently been listening to a lot of Zappa's music and the urge to read this book again struck me. I figure for ten bucks, I don't mind buying a book again that I remember loving so much.I should say that knowledge of Zappa's vast discography certainly helps in appreciating this book, as I enjoyed it more the second time, but I don't think it's required. There will be references that a non-fan won't understand, but the language and the stories that he tells here make it worth reading for anyone who is interested in music. If you are a musician, this is required reading. The middle chapter called "All about Music" is a brutal, vicious, hilarious attack on the art form that paid Frank's bills (and sometimes didn't) for most of his life. That chapter alone makes this book priceless in my mind, but the whole thing is good. His perspective on life and the world was unique. His style of storytelling reminds me a bit of Kurt Vonnegut in the way that he uses non sequiturs and tangents to paint an overall picture of the point he's getting at.The last section of the book is mostly about his family life and his views on politics, and a lot of the political stuff may seem dated on the surface, but all I had to do was replace the names and pretty much all of it still rang true to me.I don't really know how to review a book like this except to say that I was never bored, and I guarantee I won't be letting it out of my possession again. It's absolutely one of my favorite books. It's charming, funny, and even if some of it isn't necessarily true, it's honest. Does that make sense?Zappa fans have already read it. All musicians should read it. Mostly, I recommend it to people who like to laugh.

It was a gift to a fan. He says it's very enjoyable and great to hear the stories from the man himself. Person it's not a avid reader but can't put it down. Totally worth it.

It would be difficult to find another artist that spanned so many genres, composing so much music, sometimes straying into areas that might might offend, but will always be thought provoking. His musical groups comprised many talented musicians that later went on to lead their own bands. He developed a lot of techniques associated with recording, and a talented guitarist. He composed music for orchestra (album The Yellow Shark). He was an early user of electronic instruments (album Jazz from Hell). However, if you want a less political book on Zappa try Neil Slaven's book Electronic Don Quixote 2009 or Ben Watson's Frank Zappa the Complete Guide to his music 2005

This book's motivation was Frank noticing several existing books describing his music and career, and Frank believing that first-person candid recollections could dispel the caricatures that other authors use to describe Frank Zappa. Frank used a correspondent (Peter Occhiogrosso) to ask questions during taped interviews and to write the book's first draft; Frank edited that draft into a publisher's second draft. This process preserves Frank's ideas and colloquialisms; but the writing style is Peter Occhiogrosso's, the discourse is serious, and on several occasions I was reminded of watching the television show 60 Minutes.The book's first five chapters discuss Frank's childhood interests and ambitions, his early attempts to break into music (and film), the formation and evolution of the Mothers Of Invention (MOI) band and Frank's struggles to keep the band working. These chapters are presented in a detailed and serious manner; they are very factual but if you want a sense of MOI evolution within the late 1960s music scene then the book No Commercial Potential: The Saga of Frank Zappa Then and Now is a better source.The sixth and seventh chapters document Frank's European early struggles: a concert fire; an audience member assault that left Frank in a wheelchair for a year; and a breach of contract suit after obscenity concern preemptively cancelled Frank's London Symphony Orchestra concert. These struggles are presented in a serious and detailed manner; there's little humor but there is insight into some of Frank's opinions.Then you reach the chapter All About Music and Frank blossoms. Frank discusses the art of composing music; the joys of working with your own band (musicians who know your style and, once familiar with the music, require very few cues to achieve the exact effect you are seeking); the bureaucracy and staidness of conventional symphony orchestras and the high cost of converting musical scores into sheet music an orchestra might play; the evolution of recording and mixing technology, and how modern technology can create listening experiences far superior to real life. And Frank discusses the Synclavier, a computer musical instrument that allows a composer to document and to realistically solo-perform his compositions, automating the entire process except for the concert paying audience that funds the composer's continued efforts. The reader has a better understanding of Frank Zappa and his motivations by the end of this chapter.The book's remainder elaborates on Frank's social, political and religious opinions. If one started reading the book here, one's impression would be a detailed and seriously presented RANT. But after reading about Frank's commercial and financial struggles, the reader understands Frank Zappa's perspective on these opinions. Understanding is not acceptance, but understanding is good.

My father said he enjoyed reading it.

Great book for Zappa fans

I bought this book when it was originally released then lost it during multiple moves. It is hard to put down; Zappa tells a good story and provides fascinating insights into the nature of the recording industry. Highly recommend for all Zappa fans.

Llego muy rapido y en muy buen estado

Muito bom saber de Zappa por ele próprio....desde a infância...biografia ótima.

ben scritto e piacevole.Qualità di stampa e copertina deludente

Bought this last min for my husband but had a delivery date of 29th Dec so he knew it wouldn't come before Xmas. So then imagine my happiness when it came on Xmas eve so was wrapped and under the tree in time!My husband is really happy as he has wanted this book for a while. It arrived in pristine condition too. The seller is awesome.I will update on the actual book itself once he has read it all but so far it looks good so would recommend to any Zappa fab.