Frank Zappa - The Tonight Show With Johnny Carson April 3, 1986 - From My Master

[@dorianedwards8522]

Frank was quite possibly the most intellectual musician in American music. He almost certainly was the most varied and accomplished composer in American history. He wrote opera, symphonies, and instrumental pieces that were entirely written out, every note, every instrument. An amazing guy who could certainly be described as an American Treasure.

[@Lagzatzappateers]

Thank you for your comments!

[@massapower]

And in the 21st Century nobody has even come close to ZAPPA'S intelligence, AMAZING musical genius. ROCK IN PEACE FRANCESCO ZAPPA 😎✌

[@manictree5436]

Why does someone have to be the most? There is no "most" intellectual musician in American music.

[@joannehack7588]

Indeed

[@Stratmanable]

Written out, every note, every instrument is how every single orchestral composer in history has done it. Zappa was remarkable but don't give him extra credit for engaging in necessary common practice.

[@spankduncan1114]

It was great to see Johnny and Ed show Frank such respect.

[@joshs4594]

I could listen to Frank talk for hours. He was a genius in more ways than just music.

[@drewgeraci8434]

Johnny is even cooler than I remember because I'd never have imagined him having Frank on.

[@mikescarborough9196]

These old clips make Frank Zappa look prophetic today, but the truth is that real wisdom is timeless.

[@SpaceCattttt]

And real wisdom takes time.

[@blzbob7936]

In all my 65 years on this planet, I have never known a more astute individual as Frank. His social commentary on the weird controllers governing our lives has been such a refreshing delight. Many of his 1000 tracks depict the hypocrisy we all feel. But as usual with a messenger - he was misunderstood, and sniped at by those who felt threatened by his truths. I miss him. But his music was his legacy, and many are still carrying his torch. Please support his son Dweezil. He is touring America this year 2025 and is an incredible musician in his own right, but still enthralling audiences with his Dads' compositions. x

[@somersetcace1]

"Please welcome Frank Zappa, who asked to be introduced as a national treasure, but we know he's just a musician!" - Funniest thing about it is that he was/is a national treasure! We miss you Frank! RIP

[@doniellestenson3502]

The last honest man.

[@mariotreglia4066]

Frank was more of an universal treasure…

[@krisscanlon4051]

National Treasure hahaha 😆

[@steveb7310]

Same for Johnny.

[@jamescosby2343]

That's when America was Great! ❤ Zappa, Johnny Carson, ZZ-TOP....

[@Xrawkr]

I'll always admire Frank, he taught me to think critically and (More importantly) to think for myself. I'll always be grateful for that.

[@incurablygroovy3639]

yes i concur , Frank had a rare shakespearian quality , so misunderstood and underated yet feared by authority , he was my mentor in my formative teen years , i hope he comes back to haunt us just for his own ethereal amuse bouche !

[@antoniosoul]

Johnny shows real class and respect in this interview. Most interviewers of the time would have asked Frank about his kid's "weird" names.

[@andrewwilliams9599]

A real conversation about a real issue: censorship. I wish there were conversations of this depth and substance on TV every day.

[@greatsilentwatcher]

Terrific interview. I always enjoy watching when Frank was on The Steve Allen Show playing the bicycle.

[@CHRnorton]

I always thought Frank was off the wall, but seeing him on various TV talk shows, prove to me he was on the right track.

[@clete3977]

Frank. So smart. Dressed for the occasion out of respect. I know nothing of his music, though as an amateur guitarist I recognize how well respected he is. He comports himself well.

[@williamdonnelly224]

I find it shocking to hear such a polite, well informed and intelligent discussion on a late night television show. Those days are long gone. Johnny was the best!

[@ttacking_you]

Yeah right!🙄 Because that's all you hear on Greg gutfield! Pfft. What a bitch

[@ttacking_you]

Yeah right !🙄 there's a writers strike right now genius. You're just mad because those shows make you feel (rightfully)like a dipshit , because of your shitty politics! Wah way they don't like the shittiest president in history!😭😭😭😭😭😭

[@jasonbeard4713]

Really nice to see the respect that they gave each other and to see Frank smile at the conclusion.

[@lilmsgs]

Johnny's approach to Zappa really shows his mastery of interviewing

[@marcwhy]

As relevant in 2023 as it was back then! Johnny is a class act, and is having an intelligent conversation with Frank. You would not see such things on "late night" TV today! Thanks for posting!

[@tuxguys]

This is surreal, and I believe that it's the only time it ever happened: Carson could be (among many other things) a brilliant interviewer, and Zappa was a polymath, and a champion of Individual Liberty. God Bless them both.

[@THR33STEP]

Frank was always spot on. Listening to him is fascinating!!

[@Tyrell_Corp2019]

Huge Zappa fan who was lucky enough to see him live here. I had NO CLUE he was on the Carson show! David Letterman and others yeah. But Johnny? Don't know how I missed this. How cool. Thanks for posting.

[@Lagzatzappateers]

You're welcome. Thanks for Watching!

[@martinlynch6764]

Zappa and Carlin icons of a generation.

[@doctorkayak]

"Zappa and Carlin"? Brilliant... Two icons from the same generation that could not be further from one another on the spectrum of entertainment. One is a musical composer and the other is a standup comedian. The things they do have in common with each other is that they are both vocal against government and they are both decomposers.

[@willswalkingwest7267]

Zappa was/is a national treasure. An icon of American music.

[@Arational]

He was a National Treasure. Wish he was still here.

[@ExtremeBeatlesArchive]

Indeed. Instead we're stuck with Jimmy Fallon.

[@dantean]

Johnny comes across sincerely impressed and respectful of Frank, while Frank appears ever so slightly intimidated by Johnny. I would be, too, only, I've never seen it in Frank before. Nothing to be ashamed of. Johnny was the greatest of them all and his show the model for all that came after it, not to mention being a Los Angeles icon of the greatest possible magnitude. 🎸

[@David-l6k3c]

As far as I know, Johnny liked Frank, and he loved Chuck Berry but not many others. I think allot of the rock stars of that time period didn't give Johnny a chance.

[@jamesstuart3346]

Zappa is the most famous musician whose music has only been heard by other musicians

[@samspookyrice9058]

This is great. Thanks for posting. Johnny was the best and it's so nice to see him with Frank.

[@Lagzatzappateers]

You're welcome 😊

[@jeffdawson2786]

Johnny was open to more than we thought.

[@andrewwilliams9599]

He was a drummer, and apparently a very good one. And the drums were Frank's first instrument.

[@colinwilliams553]

I had absolutely no idea that FRANK ZAPPA appeared on the tonight show starring Johnny Carson.he appeared on other talk shows throughout his life and stuff like that but not THE TONIGHT SHOW,this is the first time I've seen this.FRANK ZAPPA having a casual chat about cenership with JOHNNY CARSON? very interesting.R.I.P to both Frank and Johnny.

[@jamessveinsson6006]

Just when you have Johnny Carson figure it out he blows your mind also he really Was intrigued with Frank Zappa

[@iKOiKOheynow]

Just want to show my appreciation for everything you've shared throughout the years Lagz.. outstanding, Thank you.

[@Lagzatzappateers]

You're welcome. Happy to share.

[@wakajumba]

Carson was a class act. Zappa, I realized in my latter years, was a genius

[@Imnotplayinganymore]

When an interviewer gave Frank respect, he invariably returned it. You can see it here, and I remember another with Michael Douglas back in the day. What a genius. We lost him too soon.

[@WSS_the_OG]

Honey honey aye, baby don't want a man like me ... ("Give him respect, he returns it.")

[@ElricX]

He really was a national treasure.

[@ExtremeBeatlesArchive]

Yes, Johnny really was!

[@mikegburnside]

you mean the nation treasurer

[@steveprudell9976]

itreasureR frank and Jonny moment question did Frank do another appearance on tonight show 🤔

[@ExtremeBeatlesArchive]

@@steveprudell9976 Yes, when Steve Allen was host in 1963. Nice they had him back after 23 years. kzbin.info/www/bejne/h3eTgYyHba6CgpY

[@tomn9094]

Greatest national treasurer ever.

[@jamesodonnell3636]

Love, love, love, Zappa, but the U.S. also produced Mark Twain, James Baldwin, the Eurythmics, Glenn Greenwald, and Negativland.

[@michaellawrence5492]

R.I.P. Frank Zappa ! One who lead his time and brought out others to do in same.

[@Jayhawk9]

I was 15 years old when the whole PMRC censorship thing went down and remember watching Frank and Dee snider go against them and it was awesome. The coolest and best thing about them putting parental advisory stickers on the albums just made us kids want to buy them even more and we did. I wore a Guns N’ Roses shirt to school and it had the classic scene with the half naked girl on the shirt and I was told to turn it inside out or go home. I lived right behind the school so I just went home lol. Those were great memories and the 80’s was the best times of my life. 🤘🏼✌🏼

[@jrosner6123]

Dude... same...I was glued to those hearings- i was home with mono for 2 months!

[@jeffclement2468]

Well said Mr. Frank. And kudos to Johnny. I had no idea he was so enlightened on the subject of censorship.

[@dwocelot6913]

Johnny was class

[@allanmakela3011]

Frank is missed,as well as Johnny,a great way to end the day,and relax

[@fabrikk60]

The world became just a little less safe and worse off when FZ died. We need him now more than ever.

[@SAGERUNE]

The coherence and length of the convo, longer than any latenight segment from my time. Fewer ads. This is why podcasts blew up people!

[@drillbag]

Johnny always did a great interview as he was very respectful to his guests.

[@BlackPatrick]

damn, carson was astute enough to know it when he saw it. the PMRC testimony is, indeed, fascinating. one of the great moments in american history

[@namcat53]

Honesty, integrity, intelligence and talent is a dangerous combination...to some people. To others it is embodied in Frank Zappa and his music and public service.

[@toreckman8899]

😂😂😂

[@timomomomo969]

Johnny Carson had skills to delve into the censorship topic with Frank right away, and then let Frank do the talking. He was a graceful host and you could tell he would’ve talked with Frank all night.

[@scottc3165]

I used to think these days are crazy. Now I realize it's always been crazy. Zappa was so smart and articulate and talented.

[@rollingvee]

Thank-you for this.

[@Lagzatzappateers]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching.

[@davenelson8187]

Interesting to see Johnny so somber in Franks presence. While most his fans are smiling anytime Frank performs or even simply gives an interview like this 🎉 😂

[@js27-a5t]

I appreciate the pace so much....Nowadays everything is so rushed. Johnny lets him talk, it's an actual conversation.

[@jkorshak]

Wanting to call FZ an American Treasure, okay, but the greatest compliment one could give the man is simply that which speaks the simple truth. Frank Zappa: American Composer.

[@BrianBattles]

Frank Zappa was one of the greatest Americans

[@Geraint3000]

Carson demonstrates why he was so brilliant.

[@TenderVictuals]

This is AWESOME! Thank you!

[@Lagzatzappateers]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@edzeppelin]

FZ was an incredible guy. Great that Carson had him on, very cool.

[@majorhemroid]

One of the great things about Carson... He had the grapefruits to do guests and material that challenged the status quo or the stick up the tailpipe types. Definitely not something you'll see on the mainstream anymore.

[@toncuz8291]

But Zappa was a national treasure. Yet...another country made him their Minister Of Culture.

[@JamJells]

Great gem from the past. Thank You.

[@Hamptonflanagandrums]

Frank called it - Fascist theocracy - And here we are.

[@johnfredjr2222]

2 Of the biggest talents ever,.. in their respected businesses

[@playdiscgolf1546]

Johnny Carson is the best interviewer of all time

[@kosmokritikos9299]

And Frank Zappa is the best interviewee.

[@johnnytoobad7785]

Frank Zappa...The first "freak musician" to move to Laurel Canyon...and the first to leave. Always a few steps ahead of the crowd..😎

[@Lagzatzappateers]

Well said. Thanks for sharing!

[@BigSmoke-bu6ib]

He was put there by the establishment.

[@jamesleonard2754]

What’s funny is that the first Album to get the lyric warning label, was Zappas Jazz from Hell… an instrumental album with no lyrics at all

[@MusicAuthority-b9r]

Frank Zappa was brilliant, besides all his other talents he also had a great sense of humor.

[@clintstewart5545]

THANK YOU FOR SHARING !!!

[@Lagzatzappateers]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching.

[@PrinceAsmodeus]

Frank was a musical genius and a funny man.

[@greatestytcommentator]

And he DID manage to make a pornographic music track.. "The torture Never Stops"???? filth.. LOL😅

[@SOLDbyYOU]

Frank Zappa….IS…. a national treasure

[@markwood3389]

I like how you give the model number of your VCR. Now that's an important detail. 😂

[@riverraisin1]

I was impressed that he remembered that detail so many years later!

[@kerbygator]

Seen 'em 5 times at the Uptown Theater in Chicago. 3 hour shows for like 6.50 a ticket. Tripping .....

[@WilliamDavidHobbs]

Damn you. When brain dumping into another happens, I wanna tap in to yours for that. I'll give you 7.00.

[@cavemanrob]

Great archive, for sure! I miss Frank being around.

[@wowwhywow]

looking back, Frank had a loooong history with television appearances on late night shows. All the way back to Steve Allen.

[@progger53]

Wasn't he playing on a bike tire?

[@sosimple3585]

@@progger53 Yep. 1963.

[@CVGuitar]

Goddamn I miss Frank -- and Johnny too

[@krisscanlon4051]

Two huge national treasures who gave us lots of pleasure in a usually humorless place.

[@Karenob57]

Carson is intimidated- Zappa is gracious and relaxed

[@evangray2594]

Carson had been the king of late night TV for decades at this point. Interviewed everyone by this point. He could make or break a career. He was fine.

[@jamesfeldman4234]

No, Johnny isn't intimidated. Johnny always liked his guests to shine and feel comfortable. He didn't always have to be the center of attention.

[@bucknaked406]

I see Intellectual discourse........Carson clearly agreed with Zappa.

[@jamesdelcol3701]

When I first saw him, I was like "What's the big deal with Frank Zappa?". Then I listened to it and said "What is that?". Then I studied jazz fusion and I understood immediately that Frank Zappa was a genius. I was blindsided by the understanding of what he was doing after listening to some really crazy jazz bands. They way he branched off was unique. I don't know if Frank influenced the bands I saw, but there are some quirky jazz musicians in NYC. I met everyone while studying drums with John Favicchia. April, 3rd is my birthday. I was 16.

[@steveprudell9976]

Great job Jonny 💯👍 thanks again Frank 😁

[@misterd7843]

It's remarkable how much, except for the mustache, Zappa resembles his 1963 self when he appeared on Steve Allen's show [available elsewhere on KZbin].

[@daveleidy5984]

You can tell that Frank respected Johnny and the show. Wearing a nice suit. Even a rebel and person viewed as “Anti Establishment “ had enough class and respect to dress presentable on TV. Looked nice. Like a Lawyer. Ha!!!

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

Frank Zappa and the London Symphony Orchestra is an amazing album. I haven't listened to it in a few decades

[@asmrrocks2030]

I was in my early 20's and Tipper Gore was in charge of hilarious labeling of CDs' with parental warnings. It was so pathetically stupid in retrospect. The bands involved loved it because it just made kids more determined then ever to get that supposedly evil album. 😆

[@christopherhoffheins1081]

Dee Snyder famously recalled that every band was desperate to get one of those labels on their albums. Guaranteed album sales! ;)

[@johngore7744]

Yeah I remember that too. I was 25 in 1986. Btw no relation of Tipper or Al. Cheers from Montreal

[@dagnabbit6187]

Donny Osmond actually opposed those labeling because he said that is the exact effect it would have , inspiring kids to find forbidden material

[@rioollie]

She and her husband were an embarrassment and a scourge. Greedy liars.

[@marygammon1077]

Zappa was the coolest

[@maydom04]

Very pleasantly surprised at how civil and sympathetic Johnny is towards Mr. Zappa and his beliefs!

[@davidmeckley3773]

Back in the early 90's I was a diesel mechanic at night. After midnight uncle Egor would come on and they would play some of Frank's songs. Also Arlo Guthrie, Iron Butterfly and all kinds of other little dittys. My favorite was the fish head song!

[@thejawshop-AdventureRecording]

We need Frank NOW

[@svenjansen2134]

More than ever.

[@ulfjohansson5328]

USA is a strange country in many ways 😂but 90%of the music I love and listen to are American. Starting with the blues and all that evolved from that,love Zappa R . I . P ❤

[@corybarnes2341]

They always have nostalgia for it, but they always attack anything new while it's happening.

[@joannehack7588]

Nuff said Frank. Well said. Amen.

[@TheLochs]

Thats a damn good quality video for a VHS.

[@Lagzatzappateers]

Thanks for watching and commenting. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@kaysee-r7w]

Always looked forward to seeing Frank’s concerts. He came around almost every year. Not just the music, his social commentary. It was Carlin like, before Carlin’s hbo years. Also, in my opinion, best guitarist ever! Hendrix was, but Franks body of work elevated him to the best , around 1978! He was the only musician I ever missed, after they had passes away 👏👏👏👏👏

[@peterbadore1338]

Saw this when it first ran. Was hoping there would be a follow-up conversation. FZ did return a couple of years later when Leno was on, but nothing came out of this talk. Kind of disappointed it didn't happen.

[@rerite2]

I had hoped Carson would let FZ come back and direct the band when Doc was away.

[@cactusjackNV]

@@rerite2 Although Frank was more than capable, I don't think that's a gig he would have accepted.

[@goodiesguy]

Huge thumbs up for 60p so we can see all the original fields intact.

[@robertwest542]

Frank Zappa was an idol of mine while I was attending the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music. I liked what he did and asked a professor, whom I studied composition, about Zappa. He said that Zappa's personality was what helped him as a composer and musician. I admired him for his compositional skills and his self education. He also created interesting albums. I thought them funny and the music interesting. His sound was original: interspersed with classical music and Rock originality. A teacher assistant, at the University of Redlands, called Zappa and Frank took the call. My composition teacher at Redlands, attended a meeting of the Society of University Composers and said Zappa, the guest speaker, scolded them a bit. Frank had been critical of the total serial and indeterminate dialectic that boxed them into choices that Zappa did not respect. My composition professor was an idol of mine as well. A tough intellectual with sensitive side. One thing I was miffed by was Zappa's piece about "Broken 💔 are for Assholes."

[@martins.7060]

Idol, not idle.

[@AndyGrazianoNYC]

I love the story of the asuc convention speech. read it sometime it's so ballsy. He was an original for sure

[@Lagzatzappateers]

Thanks for sharing your story.

[@robertwest542]

@@martins.7060 yes, idol, thanks.

[@Mr-Fix-It]

Frank Zappa had an IQ of 172. He was Brilliant.

[@rioollie]

Yes, and a sensitive and sympathetic individual. Brilliant, indeed.

[@joeysplats3209]

Source please.

[@BenneWill]

Intelligent television discourse, the likes of which we don't see today.

[@NoMastersNoMistress]

"Think of the kids!" has often been the excuse for censorship by people who treat kids like property, or worse... generally worse.

[@timelliott4117]

His gift was to take his guest and bring out the best. He didn't overshadow, or dominate, he turned each interview so the best light would be cast upon the desk. I remember that crap "wives of Washington" they made incredible fools of themselves. They didn't count on Zappa, Dee, and Ted Nugent to be much smarter than they were, OZZY had very similar views, but was not a good choice to appear, his attention span was short and he would get up and wander around. Those who appeared were proud of their music and stood by it. They were gentleman, very smart, rich gentleman

[@calkelpdiver]

John Denver was the lynch pin. They committee thought Denver would support them, and he totally destroyed them during his testimony. But yeah, they thought they had "dumb" rock musicians and found out each of them was very intelligent and well spoken.

[@charleslehner6083]

Finest composer and Axe-God I know of: dead or alive.

[@charleslehner6083]

No kidding...

[@stankygeorge]

You are 100% correct! All the better to cover their tracks, my dear.

[@ScottKuechenmeister]

Thank you Frank for all that you did to save us from ourselves.

[@michaelhasenstein721]

LOL Nobody got saved by him.

[@vincenzollamas]

instrumental music, what a concept!

[@scribe9841]

Yakov Smirnov and Katrina and the Waves ha ha ha . . . holy 1980s!!

[@Geraint3000]

Blimey - intelligent conversation on a chat show where the guest ISN'T plugging their latest film/TV Programme or record.

[@CthulhuForCocoaPuffs]

1:00 what was that?