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Frank Zappa and Big Brother

PostHeaderIcon Frank Zappa and Big Brother

ZappaIn my previous post I used the phrase “.. treating dandruff by decapitation”. I didn’t make up that expression, I borrowed it from Frank Zappa, who used it when he was referring to the attempt to setup some censorship for song lyrics back in the 80’s. I found the expression on (in?) Wikipedia, doing some research after I watched a video of him being on ‘Crossfire’ more than 20 years ago.

I’d like to share this video with you.

My reasons:

First of all, this is, again, about freedom versus governmental control, and I totally agree with Zappa’s views of over 20 years ago expressed in this clip. Including the belief that there are strong forces at work trying to turn this country into a fascist theocracy, even though the main topic was censorship.

Second, I’m a Frank Zappa fan. What this man has done in his career as a musician is simply incredible.

Third, I simply found it remarkable how he dealt with the whole event: here’s a guy who is being accused of the dirtiest things, gets words put into his mouth, is almost violently attacked and he just sits there … neatly dressed, suit and tie, very articulate, stays relatively calm (yes, okay, he tells one of the guys, when he gets too vitriolic, “kiss my ass”, but hey.. this is Frank Zappa .. in this program, because of his belief that one should be allowed to say things like that …), and manages to get his point across despite the three (!) loudmouths that keep yelling at him.

Fourth, it’s entertainment! Hey… this is Frank Zappa! And yes, he is very serious (he has seriously considered running for president). But still.

See for yourself .. (okay, it is a bit long, but this is historic material)


Link to Zappa on Crossfire in 1986

For more on Zappa, see Wikipedia (link).


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4 Responses to “Frank Zappa and Big Brother”

  • Injun says:

    Wow… thanks for pointing us to this one, Paul. Just another proof of his great intellect. One can’t easily overestimate what we’ve lost with him, the term “musician” certainly does not enough justice.

  • Paul says:

    He was good with words too!
    There were a bunch of ‘concerned’ mothers (lead by Al Gore’s wife Tipper!) who were behind this lyrics-censorship board.
    He called them “The Mothers of Prevention”.

    You MUST have a very artistic and creative mind when you give your first-born daughter the name “Moon Unit”.
    Heck, and here I am, thinking I was creative when I called my cats Bonnie and Clyde!

  • deannie says:

    This was GREAT! When will people understand that you can’t legislate morality.

    I am not as familiar with Frank Zappa’s work but this interview was indeed intelligent and enlightening.

  • carlos Zerpa says:

    planeta Zappa
    Un planeta y un blog con el nombre de Frank Zappa (3834) Zappafrank Planet number 3834 has been named in honor of innovative rock musician Frank Zappa.
    http://planetazappa.blogspot.com/

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