Frank Zappa BBC Documentary 1993

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• Christiania Freetown C...
Back in 1993 this doc was shown on BBC2 about three times and never since.
The interview with Frank Zappa was one of his last and I first saw it in early '93 when I taped it on VHS. In those days TV was not the horrible medium it is today, there were some decent Arts programmes and not Kirsty Wark showing how ignorant she is by hosting a cretinous book club or the X Factor.
Hope you like this clip. I had to wind & rewind the tape about 15 times before it would play without a shower of static all over the screen, not bad for an 18 year old tape. VHS players never had an auto-function to counter tracking issues and a deterioration in the RF that you can see at the bottom of the frame, aside from re-tracking as best as possible.
Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.

[@jimiV66]

There will never be another musician more original than Frank Zappa. He was his own man his entire life, and his music reflected it

[@ili626]

I’ve seen others right here on youtube

[@majabugarski386]

Hì hi Indian I am from Europe😊❤❤🎉

[@majabugarski386]

😂Ĺhi ǰYČARĹ😊 YOU You are so simpa Ĺ😊MAJ̌A

[@davidappleton1971]

One of my favorite things about Frank is that he looked like his music

[@gerrabath]

Tru dat.

[@NickNicometi]

That's funny, and Stanley very true, like when someone looks like their dog, or vice versa!

[@josenoguera7290]

I also believe that Frank and his music smell alike

[@deescott7868]

The truest statement i have ever read

[@johnstallings4049]

Zappa was a living musical art project! ❄️😂❄️🌍❄️

[@andrewwilliams9599]

That smile on Frank's face, listening to the Tuvan throat singers playing with The Chieftains and Johnny 'Guitar' Watson, is a beautiful thing to behold and a lovely coda to this tribute.

[@ziggylayneable]

"hi boys and girls, I'm Jimmy Carl Black & I'm the Indian of the group"

[@DamienTheCat]

Dickie's Such An A Hole

[@RT65CB-SWL]

I admit it. I am almost 63 years young. I have heard of Frank Zappa. I have have never heard his music... until now. I am hooked. The guy was on another level... eccentric, eclectic and electric. Another artist to add my eclectic collection of music from mid 12th century to Bulgarian Chalga.

[@SpicyDragoon]

There's literally so much about Zappa that's interesting it's unreal. He's one of the most original and diverse musicians ever and he's so massively underrated.

[@dazboot2966]

Yes totally agree. I went to see the full performance of 200 Motels - and hour 20 of mind blowing contemporary symphonic music, which ranks with any serious composer - and he managed to release in excess of 50 studio rock albums - breathtaking.

[@timh9497]

So isn't rust in peace.

[@ronj9448]

I don't think he was underrated when he was alive.

[@sealisa1398]

Underrated by whom?

[@paulinebutcherbird]

The problem is that he is as much known for his interviews as for his music, and even then, you will find it difficult to find more than a minority at any group gathering who've even heard of him.

[@tysonatkins2236]

When I was a teenager, my stepbrother and I listened to Frank Zappa albums and I was immediately traumatized. I thank him for it.

[@goodun2974]

"Between Frank Zappa and Mad Magazine, I was 'ruined' !" Guitarist Kenny Vaughn

[@LMB222]

I had the same with Primus. But I didn't relent.

[@donaldanderson6604]

I saw this on the BBC Late Show when it was first broadcast. What is sad is that these kinds of programmes were a regular part of broadcasting back when the BBC took the arts seriously.

[@user-fe3he2us8o]

before they were forced to make sales a priority

[@michaelparker3709]

That was when society took 'the arts' seriously. It took a long time for the BBC to recognise artists like Zappa as worthy, but they did. They watched the public interest and slowly worked out what was cool, as opposed to what was popular. The problem came with MTV and EDM. The BBC, I think, also made an excellent documentary on the evolution of Hip Hop back in the late 80's, early 90's maybe, but creativity has become poor. Music is lame, dance is predictable, computers have sucked the soul out of life. I know there are scenes, things going on, genius at work, but it's difficult for any creative people to get exposure now. Nobody encourages talent anymore. The money sits and waits until somebody does all the hard work, financing themselves, and then they sign them up, wring them out and drop them as soon as interest fades. Artists are forced to replicate whatever they've done, again and again, until the public loses interest. There's no history being made. No catalogue of product, just a bunch of social media audio visual moments. We need another 'Punk Rock' era. Something that will revolutionise music, dance, fashion and art, liberating it from the Tik Tok system, breaking away from Universal Music Group and the DRM death grip. Viva la revolution! I won't be here to see it, but I wish you all the best. Break out of this mental societal prison, you deserve better and more. You can't buy it for your mobile device. You need to get out there and shape it. Those who can create, need your support in person. It's a tribal thing. 💓

[@michaelparker3709]

Holy Cow! I went off on a rant there, didn't I. 😮

[@LuciThomasHardylover-qx6ts]

No! You summed things up very well. In fact I'm about to read this to my fifteen year old daughter as you've articulated what I've been trying to explain to her for several years!

[@user-bf3pc2qd9s]

We used to "stay up" for the Late Show. And Seinfeld. Thing is, you can find all sorts of excellent content online now...but it requires the skill of knowing when to stop since you can go on and on all night down that rabbithole:-)

[@Billytomtom18]

I have a pretty wide variety of music from the late 60’s to the 1990’s. Despite never attending a Frank Zappa concert. I do remember hearing that he would a concert starting at midnight on either Halloween or New Years Eve. Those concerts were legendary. Seeing Lou Reed introduce Frank Zappa into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was truly inspiring. I’ve seen Lou Reed live at the Felt Forum. But people need to remember that NYC had some many varied Music Venues. I can think of around at least 8 off the top of head. Music was fun and had no boundaries back then. But NYC had some many pockets of almost every Ethnic Group. Seeing Todd Rundgren, Roxy Music, Queen at Avery Fisher Hall. Every weekend was wide open to see who ever was touring. Of course the clubs were big back the to, the Limelight, CBGB’s , the Mudd Club was popular and the Talking Heads were always coming up with something different. All I can say is that it was an Amazing Era to be young and willing to travel to the Lowe Eastside. Going downtown was like’ Walking through the looking glass, you were definitely not in Kansas anymore’ . Even Radio City Music Hall had David Bowie for 6 nights. The list just was endless, the Electric Circus on St. Marks Place had these New Years Eve Parties. I really don’t miss it, it was a unique time and experience that needed to participate in to fully appreciate it, so yes I am happy to say Yes I was part of this era. The price of Concert tickets have ruined the whole experience, few people can afford them. When The Rolling Stones played MSG for 6 nights in 1975, and the seats in the Red section of the Garden was $12.50. Today you cannot park your car for that amount of money, just a shame.

[@deboramccallum3987]

Totally agree, those times were the best at least musically. We could buy $5/7/10 seats, miss those days.

[@tempelton]

This documentary quite literally changed my life. A lonely kid in Irish boarding school, this gave me a new passion. Since then, I've been to LA multiple times, met various Zappa-related people, rubbed shoulders with the family and put his music at the center of my life (while obviously having a life of my own and trying to become as uncompromising as I could be, inspired by Frank, in what I do). Thank you Frank. Music is the best.

[@IndigoBassNotes]

I would love it if you listen to the Music of my current band SOC puppets. I would be very interested to hear what you have to say about it. There is a variety of style ( like Frank's ) so please skip around on the playlist. Thank you.

[@abortretryfail9350]

Wow, how did this little gem get buried in the KZbin soup? With all the Zappa stuff I've been watching over the years, I'm surprised I've never encountered it, or had it offered up. Cool, in any event, glad it resurfaced, never tire of this man's genius, I could have stood watching 200 Motels too... :D

[@melyssabailey8935]

I've seen pieces of it scattered about the interwebs but to see this is really great. Zappa was a genius and I'm glad he had influence on my life

[@walrtbstudios5430]

I have it on videotape somewhere, having watched it when it was first broadcast. I no longer have anything to play it on mind…

[@jessicas.2477]

You missed it because you were too busy poking your phone!

[@abortretryfail9350]

@@jessicas.2477 LOL, you misunderstand, I _found_ it on the internet, I _missed_ it on the television. To be fair, I mostly use a pc, ie, this phone has talk and text, unless I'm on the wifi, I have to use it for "work" (caregiver), soon as I don't need it for that, I'll probably go back to not using it at all, or just get a flip phone. I more or less detest mobile tech, but it's a necessary evil anymore.

[@rhythmfield]

@@jessicas.2477OK that’s just a weird scolding sort of comment that won’t help anybody.

[@therenegadepianotechnician5170]

Frank would have turned 80 years old yesterday 12/21/ 20. I've grown to appreciate his more complex avant guard music.

[@3replybiz]

My God you are right! Still thiink of him as a guy in his early 50s.

[@dirtytacos89]

Me and him share a birthday :(

[@rhythmfield]

I read in one of his biographies that Frank believed in this theory of the eternal present. In which case: he is still 50 years old, his band is still rehearsing, he’s still touring, he’s also in the studio recording Freak Out in 1966, The shoes you are wearing are currently being constructed in a sweatshop in Vietnam, etc. etc. Pretty wild idea.

[@danriley5848]

Great video, Frank was such an incredible talent and one of a kind musician who passed away way too soon rip.

[@user-td8bu7fl9v]

Agreed

[@3replybiz]

Frank Zappa died 21 years ago today on the 4th December 1993. Still greatly missed.

[@TheChilternEHT]

Frank had many fabulous accolades and achievements, but.... "The best moustache in recorded history" Matt Groening ..... will take some beating.

[@donaldfewell772]

Edward Thomas I'm still partial to Dali's mustache.

[@zenpaganwarrior]

Edward Thomas I believe he actually said, "The greatest moustache in American history." He's got a better case with that.

[@Billy23201]

3replybiz My brothers birthday. He's a big Zappa fan ironically.

[@StueyapStuey]

***** I think you can quite literally consider that splitting hairs...

[@Theo-hc5ob]

He was so completely and terribly intelligent. RIP Frank, you are terribly missed.

[@jeanmarieboucherit7376]

Zappa is sometimes described as a right wing musician.

[@Bunbeck-pf9iw]

Yes he was his own man plus he wrote all the music plus for all the instruments too !

[@David_T]

@jeanmarieboucherit7376 ​ I would classify him (if possible) as more of a Libertarian. I think their symbol of a porcupine fits his personality well.

[@1doug62]

He was totally fluent in music and turned himself into quite a credible musical composer later in life!

[@Gregorypeckory]

​@@jeanmarieboucherit7376This is a documentary about Zappa. Learn something instead of puking up stupid labels, trying to reduce Zappa to a dumb political ideology that doesn't fit at all. He pissed off a lot of right wing idiots throughout his career. He had his own mixture of ideas about politics that didn't fit neatly into anybody else's ideology; some of it like disdain for war makers was excellent, other ideas like a flat tax, and "smokers rights" and "tobacco is my favorite vegetable" were just Frank having no idea what he was talking about, and being provocative anyway.

[@TonyKorycki]

An hour of pure joy, listening to Frank, his band and commentators; sadly taken from us but much loved.

[@BayouMaccabee]

I remember the day that Frank passed. It was during my first semester in college...That was a sad day. But he left us a HUGE catalog of music that takes a lifetime to go through and appreciate. I'm still going through live recordings that I've never heard before. He was just such a prolific genius. I wish he were still with us to comment on the modern day political & cultural landscape. I'm certain he'd have a lot to say today.

[@TheRaelPaulGabriel]

Was during my first semester in college as well. The local rock station had played selections from Apostrophe and Overnight Sensation the day after he passed. Was my first time ever hearing his music and I've been hooked ever since.

[@peterolbrisch8970]

He would have albums to say.

[@michellalonde4966]

Alternatively, were he still alive, the political and cultural landscape might have been less ravaged through his insight and influence...

[@goodun2974]

​@@michellalonde4966, "between Frank Zappa and Mad Magazine, I was 'ruined' !" Guitarist Kenny Vaughn

[@gcrauwels941]

Frank's legacy lives on always through the musicians that still can actually play their instruments. Love live Frank Zappa.

[@deboramccallum3987]

AMEN..THE ANGELS ACTUALLY PLAY HARPS

[@OlliGarch]

I love his guitar playing the most. He can make it speak to you and evoke so many different emotions. One of my biggest inspirations when I heard him as a kid in the eighties I was blown away.

[@JimMorrison-ld2zh]

I discovered Zappa in the early 1970's around overnite sensation, hot rats etc.Every album we listened to was unforgettable.Frank's guitar playing on Hot rats was phenomenal.

[@MattClark-px7ez]

I was one of the fortunates to see Frank Zappa @ the celebrity theatre in Phoenix,Az in the round it was called, a revolving stage, he was by himself and it was like watching an invisible band ! He was that genius to make that work. INCREDIBLE showing of the most innovative musician of our time !

[@jimwilson5093]

AS a typical Zappa fan who has played guitar since the early 60s his music and way of thinking and looking at the world has been the greatest influence on my life in ways I am still learning to understand. I am so grateful I lived at a time when i was able to witness his career from Freak Out to now as there are still projects being released. I love what his family has been doing to keep his music out there. What a guy. Its so wonderful he was so fanatical about recording so much of his projects and preserving them as well as doing so many interviews and having so much video of his works including much behind the scenes. Jeez we are so lucky to have whatever it is that makes us appreciate him that other people just don't have..There are no words I can type that will do justice...so I'll stop now

[@pheresy1367]

Hey you're doing just fine.... .keep going! :)

[@alwhyte6533]

You were so lucky to be around when he was touring and making this amazing music. I'm too young to have experienced this and it is one of the few musical regrets I have. His music was introduced to me by my big brother, and, along with Beefheart, is the only musical taste we share! I love him deeply, and his death was devastating to me as a teenager. Miss you Frank...

[@goodun2974]

I'm not sure that there is such a thing as a "typical" Zappa fan. We're mostly a bunch of oddball and misfits, and the things we as individuals identify with in Frank's music and persona are likely to be similarly individualistic.

[@arthursid1129]

The rock (music)world would be a much less interesting place without ZAPPA in it. Proud to be a zappa fan.

[@willmartins168]

Arthur Sid me too

[@2.7petabytes]

Arthur Sid so true! My dad listened to Zappa on reel to reel when I was growing up. As a kid, I didn’t get it at all. Now, today, Zappa is one of my favorite humans! Such a genius!

[@Leddrums]

SAME!!!!

[@alwhyte6533]

At first the funny songs were the attraction. As I got older, the sheer genius of his music took over. He was truly unique, and the world is a lesser place for him not being in it. Luckily, his music lives on.

[@simonevezzoli7019]

Simply....a genius

[@davidsimpson911]

Frank Zappa is still the only musician to sneer at his own industry and yet be beloved by so many,a real hero of mine ,a true genius and satirist that will never be equaled.

[@theherbpuffer]

Pimp C

[@Njal55]

The program that got me into Zappa, aged 18. Sadly too late to see him live. 21+ years later I'm still and addict!

[@jklxn]

"there's gotta be an album in there someplace"... God, how we miss you, Frank

[@alwhyte6533]

Yes, we miss him! It is deeply saddening that someone like Frank would never be signed these days...record executives are too obsessed with 'markets' and 'image' and their own greed to sign someone as original as him. The only person I could even compare to Frank Zappa would be Aphex Twin...not in terms of music, but in terms of originality and a willingness to defy categorisation and image defined music. R.I.P Frank; taken too soon, and never to be replaced...we love you Mr. Zappa...

[@luk0r232]

I died at that part “2000$ dildos that you can plug into your computer” hahahaha

[@Bunbeck-pf9iw]

He was so original of a genius that u didn’t know he was that until later which for me was weird because I had all his albums !

[@luk0r232]

I was born the year Zappa died, never got to see him but have always appreciated his frank(no pun intended), unapologetic , satirical attitude alongside his amazing musical creations. I have had the chance to see Dweezil in Zappa plays Zappa which I am extremely grateful for. This documentary brought tears to my eyes as there are very few unique never mind you genius people in the world today. If someone is unique it’s like because they are trying to hard and it’s trendy, frank was so unique but didn’t have to try to be that way , he was just naturally himself and himself was unique. ✌️✌️

[@andrewcutts7416]

Thanks for sharing this. We will never see anybody like Frank again. My hero.

[@krycklund]

Seeing the footage filmed close to his death is unbelievably heartbreaking.

[@tomfritzsch1928]

I can’t thank my brother enough for turning me on to Frank as an adolescent in the early 70’s. Life changing and still to this day in 2019 influences my life almost every day.

[@cherylfugate7517]

My brothers also turned me on to him in the early '70s, but I was about 5 years old. When they'd take off I'd put those records on. They were just funny at first until years later when I figured out the genius of him and his band(s)!

[@goodun2974]

" Between Frank Zappa and Mad Magazine, I was 'ruined' !" Guitarist Kenny Vaughn

[@kevinmichaelcallihansr5053]

google forgot this had been reviewed and enjoyed earlier while thanking you kindly because Frank Zappa made sense to me. 👁🐬

[@mikedavis6884]

I have loved this documentary since it was first broadcast-the moment where he talks about having another soiree is so poignant. RIP Mr Zappa.

[@wavemechanic4280]

Poignant but also very beautiful. That moment, when he could call upon all those wonderful musicians, in a world class studio he had built himself, a whole industry he had built up around him all in the service of his music, must have been a tremendously satisfying experience. And here he was making more of it, with a mixture of musicians and styles such that the like would never be heard again. What an achievement.

[@seltaeb3302]

I was wasn't a Zappa fan, didn't understand it & he was intimidating but now I'm older & wiser I am getting it now & it's really classical music. It's so intricate with amazing musicians who worked for a weekly wage & no drugs. I find it's a bit of Steely Dan-ish & jazz & satirical opera. Yup I like it & might seek his vinyls.

[@grallcooldud5253]

I never met Frank Zappa personally, but 50 some years later I have come to understand the true man that he was. I Discovered that he had the nuts to say things that no one would say at the time, he spoke up with intelligence with people that thought they were more intelligent than he was. needless to say he made fools of them all. I watched him at the congressional hearings and that was such a farce, he made them look like children that lost their toys in the sand. Not knowing the man personally has had a severe effect on me. I have met a lot of influence people in my life, but I have never met one with the intellect of Frank. When I first read about the naming of his children my first thought was how will they go through life with those names, now I see it as a badge of honor because their mother and father saw beyond the closed minded people of the time. I just found out today that Frank had died. It hurts like hell. My sincere condolences to the family, and I do mean it from the top and bottom of my heart. He will live on in some of us who hold the same values. Happy Zappa to all.

[@alanroche5235]

I was lucky to see him perform in Portsmouth and London in the early seventies. Missed seeing him three times because he was pulled off the stage! He is a true Postmodernist composer. There is no one - I repeat - no one who can touch him musically alive today: Jazz, Blues, Rock, Classic, Pop; edgy and let's not forget his poetry, satire, political and social comment he was able to blend all this disparate genres and elements to produce sublime music that will live on for ever.

[@frederickwhite6416]

Frank's description of the audience is hysterical. You could tell the 1st timers apart from the rest because of the never blinking mouth open expressions of what the hell's going on. Definitely a different kind of experience, Frank was 1 of a kind.

[@bobnlouie]

Thanks for posting this. I haven't seen it since it was first broadcast, it was wonderful to watch again. Such a great performer, sadly missed. Thanks again.

[@bufferzone3247]

Thank you. Great show. Because of Frank, (knew him briefly) I came to the conclusion that one of the key tactics used to control the masses through media by the powers that be, is "Never display what the sheep have in common, and focus ONLY on their differences. Because of this, there will always be fear, feeding off confusion, and there can never be peace.

[@notajp]

Sounds like the essence of Trumpism to me!

[@blzbob7936]

So glad I had Frank's music in my life when I was young. So sad he has now gone. Irreplaceable. x

[@DrumSolVanIsle]

Extremely pleased to see this video! This production is outstanding in my opinion, and is when watched today, a warm reminder of mid nineties BBC.

[@3replybiz]

+DrumSolVanIsle I have a fair quantity of TV from the 80s and 90s on VHS now on DVD and there is some good old stuff. Now it is dancing contests, cake baking contests and fake documentaries made by Oxbridge people looking down their noses at unemployed people. And of course there is the endless propaganda that is the news.

[@63Baggies]

Oh for the days when our licence fee was well spent?

[@7Phoenix1]

Thanks uploader, loved watching this. Such an interesting, likable character. GG Frank Zappa.

[@georgeb7332]

Thanks for sharing this fabulous documentary. You're a gent

[@davidoffon1]

Wow, you're his agent!!

[@shookrunner2184]

I discovered Frank when walking home one day...some records (literally) fell off the back of a truck. Hot Rats and Zoot Allures were amongst them. Still two of my favourites.. although he hardly put out any dud albums

[@Kedbuka]

Thank you for posting this clip. It's great. Much appreciated.

[@bennyvega100]

Zappa was incredible- technical, improvisational, experimental, humorous and totally unpretentious about it.

[@jamesian-allen8725]

We will never have another like FZ...he was truly a musical genius. The world is a much sadder place without Frank in it.

[@biscuitsandbuttholes]

Yes. But the world is a better place because he was in it and will linger forever.

[@Bunbeck-pf9iw]

Zappa will never die as long as we have this to tell us more of what we didn’t know ?

[@yellebloem5030]

Highly gifted, intellectual, original, emotional and most misunderstood musician!

[@GregStallion]

Frank understood music history, theory, composition, production and improvisation better than anyone.

[@helmutsecke3529]

Frank? Friend of yours?

[@boxychubbo6922]

Yeah, better than Bach even

[@grahamhawthorne7556]

Um no he didn't. He was an iconoclastic composer, which is what's interesting. He was not however particularly aware of actual compositional principles.

[@cronobactersakazakii5133]

He said himself he never been so much in tonal music

[@cronobactersakazakii5133]

@@boxychubbo6922what an absurd useless statement lol

[@SuperStrik9]

Music is the best! It cannot be stated enough times that the world GREATLY misses this man.

[@luke77arg]

Thanks for uploading the video!! I loved it!! RIP Frank

[@craw_daddy97]

"Montana" continues to be both one of Zappa's best songs and one of my all-time favorites

[@wesmantooth5908]

Is that a Sears poncho?

[@nisbend]

"What is this shit" -Ike Turner

[@GregSandford]

@@nisbend ...

[@goodun2974]

There's a great version of "Montana" on KZbin from Dweezil and the Zappa Band with Rachel Flowers guesting on guitar and scat vocals. It's awesome, guaranteed to put a smile on your face even if you've had a really bad day.

[@IAmTheHound]

Thank you for uploading! Very much enjoyed it, and some interesting stuff I hadn't heard about/seen before.

[@pressuredrop7637]

just watched this and enjoyed it very much, thanks for the upload. proper telly!

[@seanmurphy1903]

Thank you, Thank you for uploading this.

[@ziggyzappada4554]

Frank Zappa! I've yet to discover a musician like him... I listen to many artist's, but I would listen to Frank hours more than others, I could listen to him solo all day!

[@ziggyzappada4554]

Bruce Smith Just Brilliant Bruce.

[@hughjazzole2037]

+Ziggy “Frappanised” Zappada You never met Sun Ra

[@ziggyzappada4554]

Hugh Jazzole' No, I don't know who Sun Ra is? Is he a musician?

[@bulltrunch]

How many solo albums did he do and how many albums did he do with the band mothers. The Wikipedia is confusing for this artist. He has 102 albums wow. But can anyone do the math? As in studio albums.

[@bulltrunch]

+bulltrunch anyway this guy is awesome with his fun cool voice. The guy is just awesome. :)

[@GlennMichaelThompson]

A great documentary. Thank you so much for posting it. I'll definately be sharing it.

[@pascaldeshayes5459]

Fantastic stuff! Thank you so much for sharing.

[@scottwagner6636]

Wow, what a gem. Thanks for posting this!

[@happyguyx1]

Frank was very intelligent and if we had him leading i feel things might not be so bad RIP Frank

[@ingefranz2013]

Thanks so much ❤

[@1MissLibs]

Thank you for tuning it up and sharing this!

[@peterbett7161]

Really enjoyed this. He was such an interesting musician and person. Thanks for posting.

[@JohnOShaughnessy]

great documentary, thanks for uploading it

[@maggsgorilla]

Thank you for putting this where I could find it.

[@Bruisewillies]

So glad I came across this! I recorded this when I was about 14 and watched it over and over!

[@bobsyeruncle4841]

Thanks for this upload he was a fantastic individual best regards.

[@moleman1961]

“The mystery man came over, he said, hey! I’m outta sight!”. Cheers, Frank!

[@ackerjawaka4742]

I wrapped a newspaper round my head so it looked like I was deep 😜

[@Ndlanding]

Many, many thanks for this! And I'll say that again. Thank you.

[@centralscrutinizer1757]

Thank you for this upload 3replybiz.

[@gj8683]

My day is a happy one thanks to this.

[@zscheuch]

Frank was a musical genius that definitely worked from a very large Musical Palate who used great musicians that could play the complex musical parts, and the lyrics were full of social and personal satire and sexually repressed themes.He was a true uncompromising musician that left huge body of work behind. You either dig it or you don't.

[@FordGreeneLawyer]

You can't be scared when it gets too real. You've got to dig it while it's happening."It Just Might Be a One Shot Deal.

[@chadsellars3547]

Thank you for this post. What a great man. He is so magnificent.

[@lostbrig]

Thank you for posting this!

[@Bunbeck-pf9iw]

The song was black napkins now that I remember ! It was perfect !

[@jayherman159]

Just listened to black napkins..and dweezil and Steve vai..on zombie wolf..incredible.

[@ColoRADbro420]

i don't throw the term "genius" around very often, but i can confidently say frank zappa is truly a musical genius and overall a very sharp guy. i was 10 when he died so didn't get to see him live but ive seen quite a few zappa plays zappa shows and dweezil has got the good genes too.

[@evawilhelm5113]

+anarchitect420 Just wanted to say how wonderful that there's a young person who 'gets' this man's genius. I saw him in the 70's in a concert in Germany. We had to hitch hike to it and I'll never forget it!

[@ColoRADbro420]

+Eva Wilhelm awesome, thanks! That really sounds like an adventure you had when you saw him, what year was it? My fave era is with Napoleon Murphy Brock.

[@luk0r232]

Dweezil is a good embodiment of Frank, obviously because of his blood relationship but also has some unique guitar chops to add his own personal flair on already very unique music.

[@TheRaelPaulGabriel]

Myself, I was quite delighted to go see Dweezil back in July of 2016 during the 50th anniversary tour of Freak Out and getting to listen to songs such as It Can't Happen Here.

[@Nightpants]

Thank you so much for posting this!

[@orvpibbs2905]

Thanks for posting. BBC always has the best documentaries on musicians

[@charlesashurst997]

Thank you for being, Frank.

[@Digitalpapii]

thank you for being frank, charles.

[@martinj1645]

Amazing thank you. I always wondered who he was influenced by. Well his whole history. I recently show him on a 50’s Jack Par show and he was almost scientific about melody even using a bicycle to show you can make music on anything you can make noise with. He was so far over Jack Par’s head that all Jack could do was try and make jokes. Zappa was and still is ahead of his time. Thank you.

[@paulph12002]

I also taped this Documentary onto VHS at the time, sadly my tape seems to be long lost now so it was really great to see it again. Thanks for posting.

[@swistone]

I saw this a long time ago, thanks for sharing it.

[@wheres_bears1378]

Zappa, the most rock’n’roll non rock’n’roll guy …. A true musical genius and paradox

[@chunga372]

i wasn’t even thought of when he died but i miss him. he was a true musical genius.

[@bmccomic314]

Thank you for posting this!!

[@michaelmattice4986]

What a gift!...Thanks so much for sharing:)

[@malcolmnicoll1165]

What a genius. Genuine. Sincere. Last bastion of sanity. Love you, Frank!

[@petermaxwell2965]

I've so lost interest in music, but now and then seeing some of the old stuff is enjoyable.. my personal favourite, still..is 200 motels...big Swifty...grand wazoo.🎵oh yes thank you for posting this, very enjoyable.🎵

[@hizhaus]

Thanks for posting. Classic. Miss that Mother.

[@ZOOTSUITBEATNICK1]

Thanks for this. imo One of my all-time favorite musicians regardless of genre... imo

[@reinpost]

Great to watch, very well made, too. At 9:27 he perfectly describes how I feel about Charlie Parker's and his own music: "without certain musical clues, it all sounded like ... noodles to me". Still looking for those clues ... I know they're out there somewhere.

[@IgnatiusChinaski]

I couldn’t agree more with those who call FZ underrated. He’s every bit as “great” as Jimi, Jeff Beck, McLaughlin, Duane, Jerry, etc. arguably the most creative and diverse ever. All my fav bands I go see today love FZ - Phish, Mule, Panic, etc. so fucking smart too. Knew his politics - he’d be pissed today!!!!

[@apothecurio]

Glad Frank never had to witness Project2025.

Thanks for sharing this BBC special of mr. Zappa its hard to find a nice summary of his musical career.

[@MrMartininuk]

Thanks for preserving...and thankyou Frank Zappa......1200 + items by Frank some with 9 minute solos!!! this stuff will be rediscovered over and over again. A true master.

[@davidphilipsmusic]

Taped this off TV back in the early 90s... wore the tape out. Totally shaped my life to date.

[@3replybiz]

Blew my mind too back then and I couldn't get a replacement either......

[@MetalingKid]

Composer! yeah, greatly expanded my mind too as well as understanding cognitive code phrases like, "going to be a mental toss flycoon... -yes, i am" , -fz

[@goodun2974]

"Between Mad Magazine and Frank Zappa, I was 'ruined'!" Guitarist Kenny Vaughn

[@3replybiz]

Before you make a smart comment about 'tracking' please read the notes that come with the video. It was an 18 year-old tape, had to wind and rewind it about 15 times to get it to play at all. The issue is not tracking but degradation of the RF on the tape after all that time.

[@ronkonkoma7718]

2013 - 1993 = 20 year old tape but that assumes the actual giant spool of magnetic tape was manufactured in 1993. Maybe not. If a little streaking at the bottom is so annoying, the viewer can always download it and CROP IT in Handbrake.

[@Darrylizer1]

All I can say is thanks for the upload! I've never seen this documentary before and I'll deal with a little bit of age degradation.

[@DrewberTravels]

Thank you for recording this for the future. I also try to archive as many tapes as I can. Tapes are lost by the tons every year to either the tape degrading or people who just throw them away. It's important pieces of our history that NEED to be preserved. Its a slice of life of our culture at the time it was made. It is important that we digitize everything and save it for whoever may want or need it in the future.

[@leonarddonahue8839]

Whats a tape?

[@sealisa1398]

I’m enjoying it, thank you.

[@widetrackerinkazoo6559]

Love this, many thanks!

[@michellalonde4966]

By far, the most insightful documentary on Uncle Frank,... thank you Brits for your courage and sensitivity. 🙏❤🎶

[@peterlloyd7543]

" The university is made out of stupidity" . Frank, you fucking legend.

[@moreorlesslikeso]

Seeing and hearing this I cannot but be shocked by the limited nature and narrowmindedness of most of today's popular musical activities (even if there might be some exceptions). What a great and humane guy this man was!

[@ronj9448]

Easy. Today music is even more corporate than back in the day. Without record sales to fuel the corporation they have to control everything with 360 contracts. Pop music today is "theater" to what music once was.

[@newusernamehere4772]

I think there's always been lame music, it's just most of it doesn't leave a lasting impression so it gets forgotten over time. This makes it seem like there is less lame or derivative music in past generations, when really it just has the novelty of being lame or derivative music from a past generation (music like this can find new life in things like the Fallout series of video games, and people will end up liking it because it fits the setting, whereas if you were alive during the 50s and 60s you most likely wouldn't find that music very compelling) Frank was as rare a human in the 60s and 70s as he would be today. The current generation's Zappa just hasn't been revealed yet.

[@Bunbeck-pf9iw]

Folks today wouldn’t know anything about Zappa today because they r so spoiled or rich that they don’t care !

[@lowandodor1150]

Great comment, thank you. @@newusernamehere4772

[@michaeljtreanor]

Class. Thanks for sharing this Doc.

[@donaldfewell772]

Thanks for sharing this.