Frank Zappa on Crossfire

Zappa on CNN's Crossfire in 1986. Discussing copyright. Zappa's the man!

[@johnbazy]

"You ought to get out more" Fucking love how Frank roasted the guy twice with his own punchline.

[@deborahdodson9416]

Frank was so much smarter than that guy, it was painful to watch.

[@salvadormarley]

yeah.

[@jackaustin6442]

Anyone else notice the smartest guy is the only one who doesn't interrupt anyone? He sits quietly and respectfully...even though he doesn't get a full sentence out more than 7 times through the entire show. Respect Mr. Zappa. Respect.

[@bumzigan]

This happens in all forms of so called debate especially political. It amazes me that some interviewers or politicians think they are going to gain votes or popularity by name calling , interrupting, and trying to belittle an intelligent opponent. (as is the case here), but it amazes me more that there are people who can watch this kind of bad behavior and come to the conclusion that Zappa has no idea.

[@3rdcoastnyucka]

"Morality in terms of behavior, not theology." -Beautifully said

[@iambrizko]

He fucking pwned this dudes entire argument with that one sentence. You could see in his face that he knew it too. So priceless.

[@joshua_forrest]

I love that part, I don't know why that is so hard for so many to understand, this country was not founded on any religion nor was it intended to ever be governed by a bunch of zealots personal beliefs. Our forefathers new what they were doing and their intentions are shit on by every modern administration.

[@cogitarisafari1847]

​@Austin Reihl Your errant and superficial reading of America's founding documents highlight your ignorance of US history. While some founders were Christian, several others were not, including Thomas Jefferson, a Deist, who penned the Declaration you quoted. Knowledge of Jefferson's Deism would have helped you to understand why Jefferson put "god" lower in the hierarchy of both the sentence structure and the logic of sentence's argument. "Laws of Nature" comes FIRST. Next, SECOND, is "Nature's God". Did you happen to notice the possessive structure where God is PART of Nature and NOT the other way around? If you were familiar with Deism, you would have recognized and understood this. The Declaration was also edited by Benjamin Franklin, another Deist, who scratched through the draft version that stated "We hold these truths to be sacred..." scratching out "sacred" and replacing it with "self-evident". Also note the specifically unspecific use of the phrase "their creator" instead of "the creator" - a subtle distinction that you no doubt missed, but it underscores how the founders recognized that individuals all have individual beliefs and the government should not be in the business of promoting one over another. I noticed you avoided bringing up the US Constitution - the law of the land. Clever. Your other references have zero legal consequence and no relevance to the founding documents. BTW - Frequency that Jesus, the bible, and Christianity are mentioned in the Constitution: ZERO. Do be sure to read Article VI though: "no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States." Speaking of references, it's immoral to plagiarize another persons work - copying and pasting without referencing the author or source, as you did when you copied and pasted the dreck from the right-wing "Claremont Institute" (part of what the founders warned about and Zappa was warning against). They put out their fascistic crap hoping that gullible dupes will swallow it. How did it taste? - founding.com/natures-god/ IF you want to learn about US history, READ SOME. If you want to learn about America's founding documents, READ THEM. Don't waste time on political pressure groups spinning RWNJ BS. Try this: www.archives.gov/founding-docs You're welcome.

[@justinklenk]

@@cogitarisafari1847 - Word!!!

[@gallant7]

EPIC!!!!!!

[@dyliathyramyteodon330]

John - "Why is it amusing?" Frank - "why shouldn't it be amusing?" John - "Well you're not smiling, you dont look too happy" Frank - "Why should I be smiling when I'm sitting next to you?" Hahahahaha Frank was a God

[@ScottKuechenmeister]

brilliant...

[@godlike51]

The greatest 21 minutes in television history.

[@MusicDude86]

+godlike51 Right on, Dude!!!

[@soulscanner66]

American yell fest ....

[@oliverkalamata2753]

Nah, the Geraldo White Supremacist broken nose incident thingy was the greatest. 👍😎

[@theloaner4378]

I would be interested to have heard his views on the horrible N word.

[@youchooby]

thirty years later, lofton is a nobody and zappa remains a legend

[@christopherheckman7957]

John Who?

[@svenjansen2134]

Lofton? That a placebo medicine?

[@samfleischer6211]

Can't believe they're calling his art 'garbage' and 'filth' to his face... he keeps his composure well and speaks his mind. Well done Frank

[@DCMARIO264]

John Lofton:"You once wrote a song called We're all in it for the money. Frank Zappa: "Its not a song, it's an album". LOLLLLLLLLLLLLL

[@count_bodies_like_sheep9296]

the punchline is...."you gotta get out more"

[@connorstratton5961]

On a side note, thats a great album

[@mabusestestament]

On another side note, the album is called 'We're only in it for the money'.

[@erikkjelland5719]

And don't forget, the title was totally sarcastically meant

[@ikswonezcob]

"How much money do you make peddling this stuff?" "Millions of dollars, millions of dollars."

[@stefaniegarcia6219]

This still tracks 😅 Frank Zappa’s prophetic words are chilling now.

[@ottomadicly]

The only sane man in the room was Frank Zappa. I've never seen anything this funny before.

[@arthursaey]

"Millions of Dollars, mr. Lofton"

[@gordonm7038]

Amazing comeback!

[@daytonhax3403]

Zappa made fucks like Lofton look really daft. Zappa was without a doubt on his game here and the other guys were totally unprepared.

[@ViveLeQuebecLibreTabarnak]

David Topchiev over a 30 year career that is millions of dollars. 300k at the time of this interview was also worth significantly more than it is now. Also, he would have continued to make more money as his career progressed from royalties, shows, investments (he owned multiple labels and recording studios, and I’m sure invested privately a fair amount), the sheer amount of records he released would mean a constant amount of money coming in from royalties alone.

[@cosmotagliafierro8055]

OMG - looking back on this interview from over 30 years ago - all I can say is, the respect I had for Frank back then is now multiplied by a factor of 1000 as I realize that Frank Zappa was way ahead of his time. I don't remember the other three gentlemen - but Frank will be remembered for decades.

[@louisgreen3915]

Hmmm so are you saying that their society is better ? Women are stoned in these places for being raped (as an example). For the record Zappa (in his own words in this interview) just admitted to being a conservative. It's fine to disagree with him but I don't think it's enough putting it out there that he is an Anarchist. You must explain why you think so. I find it hard to express the point here, that there is allot of trash in music and movies but I guess I would defend the right for the trash being made. It is up to the parents (I feel) to bring up their children with intelligence and patience. All topics discussed openly with understanding and forethought. I feel that if you bring up kids in this way they will also recognize trash entertainment from quality. Banning every questionable thing could be dangerous, it sounds like a dictatorship to me.

[@tufDuffinchains]

I love how Zappa stays so calm while the other guys are getting so angry

[@gordonm.7387]

I wish Frank was still with us. He was a unique guy. Brilliant musician and a great wit!

[@MaryLeighLear]

Its wonderful seeing his personality. Great composer, great mind.

[@marty1h601]

If I were John Lofton, I'd be embarrassed to know this video is out there.

[@ricarleite]

He's dead. All of those men are now dead.

[@mp01juve]

It's on his wiki too as what he's best remembered for.

[@russellmakar579]

Frank was way ahead of his time, and a genius to boot

[@trishrobinson5828]

i have listened to the music and words of frank zappa since i was 13. he inspired me to not take the usual road, to take the strange fork over there. he was right then and he was right still, on the subject of the us government and the military industrial complex. these words have cause sensation and controversy. frank never backed down or away from his beliefs. blessings to you where ever you are, frank. all the best.

[@iverstim]

Frank Zappa "why should I smile, I'm sitting here with you" lmfao

[@mikesimpson3207]

"There are certain words used to describe an act of fornication which are...brutal." "So?" I think I love this man.

[@pattiferguson631]

I enrolled Frank Zappa immediately after his sad passing ..I loved him ..he served a purpose and a genius musician..God bless you Frank and I will see you in heaven ....pammy

[@billmilliganhisself]

I can't speak for anybody else, but for me, FZ was far and away the greatest classical composer of the latter half of the twentieth century. He could adlib beautiful musical compositions either on guitar or even just using hand signals against his band and the audience unlike anything I ever heard. He was a deep thinker, a social critic who could expose hypocricy and peel back layers of superficiality. He made his own way in the world and feared no one. "Legend" is an understatement.

[@TheGuitarifier]

"Millions of dollars, Mr. Lofton" zappa is a SAVAGE

[@jonnyj46]

Every time I watch this it makes me miss him so much and wish he was still here.

Censorship is like a cancer. Once it starts to grow then extreme measures must be taken to stop it.

[@boxman139]

Frank Zappa: The most savage guy I've seen throughout history.

[@billykobilca6321]

This and other interviews blow my mind now...Frank is a insightful spot on brilliant person. Miss this guy...If he was here today...Omg he would enlighten the world.

[@YungCrusty]

This whole interview Frank looks and sounds absolutely done with them RIP to a legend

[@hanno21664]

Ben Franklin and The Hellfire Club that was classic! I lost it after that! Frank Zappa always did and still does have my respect for what he did and the influence he had on me to stay true to yourself and never back down in what you believe in. thank you for sharing the video.

[@BarbarossaSC2]

Frank should have told Lofton he's against suicide, Lofton would kill himself on the show right there for the sake of being in disagreement with him.

[@zankfrappa-ccino7493]

Theodore M. K. Lol

[@colonelspicymustard]

“That’s not a song. It’s the name of an album.” Legendary.

[@smyd69100]

We didn’t deserve Zappa. A genius way ahead of his time that is still under appreciated. Vote Zappa2020

[@frankzappainterviewcollect2320]

Anyone out there who liked this, I recommend checking out other Zappa interviews, they generally sit somewhere between insightful and hilarious

[@putridabomination]

Zappa is an absolute legend!

[@Draven84]

Frank just OWNS them in the end. Lofton suggests young people don't need to vote, and Frank knew more than Braden about the "testifying kids" Braden brought up. Knock out. Frank, you sure are missed today.

[@nibelungendwarf797]

18:05 He corrected the crossfire moderator here. Zappa was unbelievably sharp.

[@ericevangelisti4314]

"Millions of dollars. Millions of dollars Mr.Lofton"

[@carcar97]

LOL he's so calm and collected. love him

[@criticalkaiju9892]

he who invokes Hitler's name first loses the argument. in this case it was a double down on the loss.

[@L10N017]

"Why should I smile when I'm sitting here with you?" - Frank Best line ever.

[@drstrangelove09]

Zappa was correct on this.

[@zankfrappa-ccino7493]

drstrangelove09 was he ever not correct? Except in tobacco use. Sad as we need him more than ever. Lol mothers of the invention?? Lol Lofton douche had obviously never heard the expression about necessity being the...well we all know. You're sorely missed Frank. Would that there was a parallel universe where we could join you. Genius. Yes words. Interpreted from sick minded ears who twist art and creativity. Indeed dangerous. What went on behind Lofton and still goes on behind finger pointers closed doors that they're able to machinate such complete idiocy for lack of a better or worse word to fit these brain dead turds.

[@ultimatech0pper]

I think even during that interview he very well knows that is he right. A very strong character indeed. Also I admire his self control and his patients to go through interviews like this one.

[@Dejahthoris22]

Freedom of speech. Frank Zappa stood up for Freedom of speech. He stood up for the Constitution.

[@kraftyw1999]

Zappa was, is, and always will be one of the world's most influential visionaries and an advocate for FREEDOM.

[@ItwasntI]

"Why should I smile, I'm here looking at you!" Touché Zappa.

[@avantgardeaclue]

Jesus, we need this guy more today than ever before. Eminently brilliant individual. We sure could use him to help us wade through all this bullshit we have to deal with now. Please Mr. Zappa, kindly look down upon us and tell us which way to turn.

[@mikeoria9187]

FZ: "Why should I smile when I'm sitting here with you?"

[@jamesholiday321]

My god Zappa bless you . May your words ring out more than ever . So true .

[@m.j.bassanello2194]

Frank really held his own didn't he! I really miss this man and his music

[@RobertoDiego737]

The great ones that spoke the truth are all gone, but their powerful messages still exist: Frank Zappa George Carlin Bill Hicks John Lennon Tupac Shakur Hunter S. Thompson Rest in Peace.

[@OBQM]

HL Mencken too should be added to that list. Zappa was almost a modern Mencken in his way

[@finylvinyl66]

You left out Lenny Bruce, who started it all.

[@offrampt]

@Howard Luken One of them.

[@frisk4520]

You left out Kurt Vonnegut, George Orwell, Margret Atwood, and Dee Snider.

[@bitinback2825]

Don’t forget Malcom X

[@heidibean2510]

Zappa was a Prophet, and we lost him too soon.

[@jakep1979]

I bet he never saw that the left will be the one attempting to control freedom of speech today, that used to be the right.

[@aerii_san]

"Do you think that you are protecting somebody by taking away seven words?" This had me laughing my ass off, I love Frank Zappa !

[@Birdbungle]

I'm just amazed of Zappa's Music. And his intelligence of the music business, and his knowledge of politics, I think he was way ahead of his time.

[@roirat04]

i was a child of the eighties and remember watching this live on CNN, and I was total baffled at the left and right wings tirade against Rock and Roll, I thought for sure Lofton and Braden were going.to start a fire and burn every album and cassette of Rock genre..Too bad Frank isnt around today, he would have a haydey with the políticos of today.

[@davidlarocque8808]

Lofton: *talks mindless garbage just so Frank can't speak* Frank: *makes a decent point and is explaining himself* Lofton: you've been talking long enough I'd like to talk now

[@jpncdn]

"We're talking about WORDS." Looking at the state of censorship on KZbin, Twitter, even PAYPAL, and censorship laws being passed in Canada, Frank was right. And he points out that he's a conservative. "Do you think that you're protecting somebody by taking away words?" Thank you, Frank. This dogfight never gets old, and only becomes more relevant with the passage of time.

[@DoomKid]

The guy on the far left seems to at least see where Zappa is coming from. The other two, especially that Lofton egg, were lost causes on this topic from the start.

[@davidspring8884]

DoomKid Wondered when I would find you here.

[@joshuacoleman8000]

+DoomKid I agree. Mr. Braden was at least being open-minded and, as you said, seeing were Zappa was coming from. So I think he should get some points for that. Also I feel the guy on the far right was at the very least more polite than Lofton was. And speaking of Lofton, he was being a complete and utter jackass. He also proved Zappa's point several times. Lofton outliving Zappa (by 21 fucking years, no less) is proof that fate is 9 times out 10 a big fat bitch!

[@damianeadie510]

I was very saddened to read that John Lofton died in 2014. Saddened because that vile little shit managed to outlive Zappa by 20 years.

[@xwarx1000]

Hahahaha

[@mdb3102]

Zappa had a wayyy better time here than John-boy though ;)

[@fredhayek1742]

"Zappa ripped my Flesh", by Weasel Lofton.

[@m1ster3d]

Mah nahyme iz Loftoooon, ah ahm a raidnaaack...

[@MrUltraworld]

Frank knew what was coming 30 yrs ago. A lot of it came to pass.

[@Freddeadbananakiller]

Best part was when that guy used the phrase you out to get out more in a stupid way and frank said it when correcting him about the band name it was perfect

[@pellythirteen5654]

Zappa always was ahead of his time … he warned us for this in his songs : Tax the curches and be aware of the military Industrial complex … is what he said.

[@Gabes47]

Frank Zappa in 1986, and everything he said in this interview is absolutely right.

[@chebrneck]

This just proves that Frank Zappa was the most intelligent rocker of any generation. A true American and factual genius.

[@JasonDemakis]

The faces that Zappa makes in response to these guys is hilarious. Some of my favorites: 8:30 19:11

[@bitinback2825]

The look on Zappa’s face throughout this shows that he knows he won’t win against these people but also shows he can’t believe that they don’t have common sense.

[@unknown-bx4xn]

"I think if you use these so-called strong words, you get your point across faster and you can save a lot of beating around the bush. Why are people afraid of words?" Important words right here.

[@bradjonesband1818]

I fucking love Frank Zappa he is a Fucking terrific man.

[@conversationovercoffee]

Frank Zappa, a motherfucking legend! an emulation every dude should aspire to become and exceed.

[@ninjaturtlesfan6049]

Zappa is a genius

[@ThePurpleRogers]

Prince's lyrics saved my soul, explicitly lol :D

[@hybridcypher]

I think Frank Zappa and Joe Stewart have the first and second best ever appearances on Crossfire because they do the right thing and shut the whole thing down.

[@fredherbert1400]

Frank's nod at the beginning was hilarious. Clearly he's making fun of these idiots.

[@erikhardin7023]

This reminds me of why I like Frank Zappa.

[@bobmarley0303]

at 10 mins Frank tells us of the times we live in now.

[@dead0ntime]

This video is hilarious! Love ya Frank, you’re missed by many

[@rocketsauce08]

frank zappa was ahead of his time

[@valarmorghulis322]

"The biggest threat to America today is not Communism, it is moving America toward a Fascist Theocracy." -Frank Zappa "What Are Conservatives Conserving?" -Carl Sagan

[@saralimalourenco]

Cherry picking? Where's the one sentence about Zappa being a Conservative?

[@Synequanon]

Zappa once said he was a practical conservative : for social security as long as the person pays for it, against taxation but surely not for the violation of the 1 rst amendment.

[@chillingguy8386]

saracrislimalourenco he said he was a conservative at the start of the video , I’d say he is a libertarian, the 80 Republicans were not conservative

[@jeremyelectronic8613]

"The biggest threat to America today is not Communism, it is moving America toward a Fascist Theocracy." I'm impressed at his prescience.

[@fenderjazz6213]

Zappa was so great and intelligent

[@crazymanstanley]

LOL at 02:00 when Frank turns his head back and forth multiple times to point out the silly nature of their yelling over one another

[@cmillholland]

10:50 - Damn straight, Frank. You were right then, and it's true now.

[@MusicDude86]

Zappa has old school conservative mentality and you can't argue with that. The power of the government is supposed to be limited. Small government is the way it SHOULD be. If we allow the government to get bigger and bigger, then life as we know it will end up like the George Orwell novel, 1984.

[@bobbierwirth9503]

Frank represents American ideals; what this country and freedom are all about! Right On Frank! John Lofton seems to represent what oppressive requiems like the Soviet Union and China are all about. Scary to think that this guy was a journalist for the Washington Times. He probably wrote articles that supported the ideals of oppressive and suppressive governments! Lofton is not American in any way, he's a Commie! How could anyone in 2014 agree with Lofton who is so far off base! God Bless Frank Zappa who stood up for out rights! God I wish Frank were still with us. What an amazing man who represents himself really well!

[@ZakAnaniadis]

I'd definitely be suicidal without Rock music! Cheers Mr. Zappa, Rock 'n' Roll saved my life....

[@oriondrums2]

I certainly ain't no libertarian, but I full agree with Frank here. Government should be involved in the economy, but NOT in our personal lives

[@GabrielNicho]

Government shouldn't be involved in the economy though =P, only caused problems

[@MokkaMatti]

@@GabrielNicho The Federal Reserve needs to be abolished, along with most of the government.

[@JacketsOnFire]

The violation of government intruding on personal lives is the same principle as interfering with the economy. It is a violation of the 5th amendment and nowhere in the constitution states that government has the authority to interfere or regulate commerce.Nor does it grant authority to violate or seize private property. A business and property rights are the same as if you were to own a house. Should the government then regulate what you should operate or do in your house? No? Well then why should it do that with any other property?

[@lobsterwhisperer7932]

@@GabrielNicho in the 50s and 60s government regulation were perfect, the rich paid their taxes and the country as a whole was better for it, Reagan destroyed all that, and the country has states with an economy that mirrors the third world.

[@GabrielNicho]

@@lobsterwhisperer7932 The only reason you have states with third world economies is because those states borrowed like crazy and then wasted the money, and raised taxes like crazy so that business left or didn't want to establish itself there. That's government. And no-one paid those high taxes in the 50-60s.

[@Boomstick88]

So this Lofton guy died a couple months ago, good riddance. It's a damn shame that he outlived Zappa, a real damn shame.

[@Menegoth]

Yeah, can't believe he actually fell so low as to use the holocaust as a cheap argument. Just proved he didn't have a leg to stand on.

[@gregorycarrusio9581]

Apparently it was due to a heart condition.The obvious dieting took effect I guess.

[@gregorycarrusio9581]

layton marr Your sarcasm is as effective as Lofton's rants.

[@televisedpork7993]

I'm gonna shit on his grave

[@Frndly_Nghbrhd_Towboat_Guy]

@@televisedpork7993 Ill DM you the address, and meet you there, I bet you havent got the balls....

[@DimensionsofChange]

It's a shame Frank died before he got to be on the Simpsons. I would have loved to see him debate Marge Simpson & Ned Flanders on Cartoon violence with help from Krusty the Clown or something to that effect.

[@irrefudiate]

Wow! Frank absolutely overshadowed, physically and intellectually, his adversaries on that stage. And, he was right, he had Mr. Loftin frothing at the mouth.

[@erikchavarin6085]

Short, angry fella: "There are songs that advocate incest" Zappa: "Tell me them, I haven't heard any" SAF: "Well you have to get out more, I don't think you're being candid with this" [Five seconds later] SAF: "Your group was called The Mothers of *the* Invention.." Zappa: "The Mothers *of* Invention.. you oughta get out more" Lofton didn't have a chance, this interview is a gold mine for witty comebacks.

[@kind2311]

Frank Zappa and Jon Stewart are the two best guests Crossfire ever had. Jon was instrumental in the cancelling of this ridiculous show.

[@christopherheckman7957]

Zappa showed up on at least two episodes. kzbin.info/www/bejne/n3bUnql_gMSejtU&ab_channel=FrankZappaInterviewCollection

[@ErgonomicChair]

Tom really didn't seem sold on the "You make a law, it has words, and you apply it" after John couldn't answer exactly who would become the government censor lol. But that moral code comment was beautiful from Zappa.

[@jamiehedrick9878]

"Why should I smile if i'm sitting here with you?" That one got me good, Frank is over this dude's bullshit.

[@freedomsadvocate]

I love it. I rolled on the floor when he said we are going towards a fascist theocracy. Nearly 30 years later, you can kind of scrub theocracy, but we are now much closer to a fascism.

[@jimscribner8314]

Fascism is North Korean Communists holding machine guns on my wife and her family and stealing all their food for themselves during the Korean War. Fascism like all other forms of socialism is about stealing other people's property instead of negotiating a mutually accepted exchange of goods and services. Censorship and gun control tend go along with it because that makes it easier to murder the unarmed crime victims you're stealing from and cover it up.

[@SportsCaptured]

I kinda got goosebumps when Frank Zappa started shooting down the whole Freedom Village thing. He completely killed it. What a man, shows to all narrow minded freaks that musicians can be more than just your stereotypic junkie anarchist.

[@bassinblue]

If you're a father or mother, you have the right to let whatever your kids listen to, since they are responsible. Once they are of legal age, it's not your business. This is about being adults, no need to go as far as involve government.

[@TheOwlCreek]

As of September 17, 2014 everyone in this video is now dead

[@MrJetplanemusic]

They're not discussing copyright. They're discussing censorship.

[@alexc8123]

How many of you remember John Lofton ? . . . . How many of you remember Frank Zappa ?

[@thehotyounggrandpas8207]

'The founding fathers owned slaves' Zappa spoke the truth!

[@thehotyounggrandpas8207]

Yeah.

[@mrscree444]

Zappa's face doesn't change from a "you've got to be fucking kidding me" expression the entire time. I love him.