For all intents and purposes, everything’s been done before – more often than not by Frank Zappa specifically. Above we have a nice Gorey-esque ink sketch done by my girlfriend (click to see full resolution) featuring a vaudevillian Paul McCartney snaggin’ another good idea from Frank Zappa (which as we all know, he didn’t take too kindly to and recorded the album We’re Only in It for the Money as a retort).
There are many instances of artists doing strange, unexpected, or otherwise self-defeating things during television performances. Frank Zappa did it first by playing a bicycle on the Steve Allen show. Live.
And while you hear a variety of music industry insiders complain about the follies of the music business, Frank Zappa prophesied it.
And before Bono was dining with Kofi Annan, Frank Zappa was being a badass and calling out the eggheads on Crossfire. As history demonstrated, of course, the PRMC lost and Zappa’s instrumental Jazz From Hell received a parental advisory label. Hilarious. The first clip is from 1985, and his treatment on the show probably influenced his demeanor in the last two clips from 1987. Robert Novak’s lookin’ good at his younger age.
When in doubt, it’s safe to assume Frank was there first. Though I can’t empirically prove it, I find it a valid statement. Enjoy two of my favorite brainwaves from Mr. Z.
MP3 :::
Frank Zappa – Who Needs the Peace Corps?
Frank Zappa – Who are the Brain Police?
