Frank Zappa - On Drugs 1971

Zappa talks about drugs.

[@tobyhenry8379]

"Nothing will screw your mind up more than religion or drugs" -- Frank Zappa

[@octofish]

Zappa had issues with nicotine and caffeine. During a show in Chicago in 1980, I watched as he did away with a half pack of smokes and two entire pots of coffee. He never left to use the can either. Somehow in a 90 minute plus show, his body used the coffee somehow. I'll never forget the guitar tech guy, both tuning his guitars and making the coffee so there was no possibility of a shortage.

[@thediamonddog95]

I would like to see how Frank would describe my generation.

[@dieselscience]

Zappa was a man a generation ahead of his time and he continues to be so....

[@ivornappinion9406]

+ diesel science ace words,so its not just me then ;]

[@Cakravartin1818]

It's sad that he eventually died from cancer. Only a few rockstars stay away from drugs. Zappa was one of them. A man worth living over 100 years.

[@georgesteen1548]

zappa the original straight edge

[@rkc415]

i absolutely love Frank Zappa interviews.

[@goodmorning1237]

"I think she was too stoned to know what I was talking about". Hahahahah!!

[@eristiamat]

Frank Zappa and Salvador Dali. "I don't do drugs, I AM drugs."

[@toddkarl9194]

I've experimented with many psychedelics, and I have not "burned out". Granted, it's easy to become addicted to various types of drugs, but responsible, controlled use of certain psychedelics can be life changing.

[@GodsGiftToHumanity]

Frank was one of a kind. That last sentence was classic Frank. My opinion as an experienced drug user is that once you become a regular user your body gets used to those raised dopamine and seratonin levels and it really takes months of being clean to feel normal again. I was on dialysis and in pain for years and treated it with pain killers and marijuana. It helped me make it through that dark time in my life but once I got a transplant I struggled to feel normal once I got clean. God bless!!!

[@usernamebada42]

That ending was revolutionary

[@eugenebell83]

Zappa was a brilliant man. i don't know if I agree with all that he had to say, although I agree with much of it, but that aint the point, Zappa seemed to me to be a man that respected other people, especially other people that think, whether the opinion is the same or not, it's the fact that people think, that is what counts.

[@divebomber101]

I really enjoyed this interview... Zappa had a good speaking voice as well as singing voice. Could have been a radio host.

[@ExposureToCrim]

He didn't step away from drugs. You can see clearly in this clip that he's smoking a cigarette. He also drank coffee and indulged occasionally in alcohol. He was against the reckless use of significantly mind alternating chemicals that were illegal. This was due to personal reasons (as expressed in this interview) and business reasons (he didn't want himself or band-mates being arrested for possession which would ban them from performing in various countries).

[@casheasy]

The 30 second mark spooked me for just a second lol.....that was realy cool. I had sort of turned to the side and caught that out of the corner of my eye. Great upload by the way.

[@skwiddjergensen]

Honest genius. Bluntly spoken.

[@wezzlyn]

He really was before his time. If I just heard Frank talking and no one else from this interview, I would never have guessed it was from 71

[@kalebaldwin5398]

He also wanted his musicians to be as professional as possible and as responsible as they could be. Abuse of alcohol and hard drugs, obviously, gets in the way of that.

[@austenslost]

zappa knew what was happening. even back in early 1966 he saw what was going to become of young people in the late 60s early 70s...

[@HorridFroth]

Zappa sucking on a cigarette his whole life...

[@samwindmill8264]

Frank had probably the smartest anti-drug view you could ever have. He thought they were a waste of time and didn't want to associate with musicians who used drugs frequently, especially on tour, but he wasn't a proponent of the idiotic tax money hole that is and always has been the "drug war". My reasons for opposing that particular "war", as would be the same reason for many people who oppose prohibition, is because it serves only as a function for misery in many peoples' lives, the same way that addiction does. People don't need to have their lives ruined by the legal system to stem the tide of having their lives ruined or damaged by drug abuse, especially because if you do your research you'll know full well that the "drug war" is a far too costly, greed-driven scam designed to trap, in particular, people of color in lower income neighborhoods. The people who are in charge of it either know what they're doing to people is pretty shitty, and don't care because we have a ton of politicians who just don't give a hot fuck about anybody outside of their own little circle of privilege/wealth, or don't really know anything about drugs or drug abuse and are ignorant of the realities of what it all is.

[@videoizer]

Zappa was quite interested in politics. He attempted to become the Czech Republic Ambassador for the USA which he decided against because it was corrupt. His thoughts on American politics were similar, too corrupt to achieve anything other than more corruption and being supported by corporations instead of the citizens had a "military aroma" Zappa was disappointed by the American public's inability to separate fact from fiction and how elections were treated like sports, quite unimportant.

[@tomtiddler1]

If you listen again carefully, what he actually says is: "I think she was too stoned to know what I was talking about"

[@pinkysgrl]

As the youngest sister of a late 60s/early 70s hippie drug user, I can definitely relate. I didn't have to repeat her mistakes and waste of times with drugs. So many died young, so many became burnouts, so many died early deaths due to heart attacks or AIDS or Hep-C, all due to drug abuse. He was so right.

[@dancooperfication]

Frank was a true nonconformist.hell of a musician,too.

[@kariwattsup]

Still the most outlandish. The last line in this video is classic!

[@Frankincensedjb123]

I don't smoke, drink, or do drugs, but I love Frank. Who the hell says you have to get wasted to have fun or be productive?

[@Frankincensedjb123]

MegaRaven100 My friend, you win the Internet. Best comment ever.

[@blokislove5995]

MegaRaven100 Who are you making fun of? No one would claim someone who doesn't partake is a bad person. Also, pot is great. Drugs can be great fun, it's not aids infested needles and early death or nothing. And let's be honest, Zappa didn't do certain recreational drugs because he didn't enjoy them. That's it. He smoked cigarettes (which are horrid for you) constantly, and dosed caffeine throughout the day. He said he smoked pot and got a headache, he also said he did acid and had a bad time. That was his real opposition to drugs. I guarantee if he'd enjoyed pot, he would've been a lifelong pothead, just seeing how addicted he got to the drugs he did enjoy.

[@blokislove5995]

Frankincensed I don't know, but I constantly see comments putting down these imaginary people.

[@marklines2599]

MegaRaven100 You're...

[@MegaRaven100]

You are?

[@pirrupain1]

GRANDE ZAPPA....UN GENIO.....IMMORTALE.......

[@Jimmydale7]

You tell'em Frank! I wish you were still here to guide us!

[@czgibson]

I think it's pretty clear from Zappa's comments that it's not a misleading title. It's Frank Zappa addressing the topic of drugs.

[@hamidfan]

Frank Zappa, wanted to engage at that time the young John Frusciante ( RHCP ) as a guitarist for his band.. but John couldn´t work with him because Zappa was against taking drugs in his Band... what a great person

[@cbass8oz]

that last statement!! Epic!

[@kenjirotakanoshi]

I had that impression too, but I was surprised to hear him say at the very last bit of the clip "I actually was too stone to know what I was talking about".

[@Hank5861]

Always good interviews

[@JRaab311]

Best interview I have ever heard.

[@jazzynet1]

I remember when Frank And Todd Rundgren were on the Gong Show :D. haha

[@keatonmarchildon76]

Very inspirational to see drugs n rock n roll dont have to go hand in hand. I think the drug popularization in the 60s was a large part due to the media influence.

[@joesmith6524]

frank smoked cigs on a heavy level , don't understand why an intelligent person would smoke or not quit? drugs like cigs can get abused which isn't a happy ending for anyone!

[@jodo6329]

It's a serious physical addiction that can be very hard to give up. Plenty of very intelligent people smoke, very few intelligent people defend the habit though.

[@heavyshoe4839]

drugs like cigs do not overly change your thinking unlike pot, crack, speed, ecstasy... it's still bad for you but I believe what frank is pointing out is drugs like pot and such take over your life, they become a lifestyle that take away a little bit of you, I used to be a pot smoker but I stopped and I see how many people on pot still act like I did, they do not think they are addicted but half their thoughts are about getting their next high and how "cool" they are.

[@justyo96]

THANK YOU

[@jeffmatey]

I love the ending. so beautiful, so perfect. Something about truth ... i don't know.

[@herbslab]

i read an interview with lowell george where he said frank fired him for writing a "song about drugs" (willin'). anybody else ever heard that?

[@dotothenn]

He knew some of his fan's used drug's. He never thought drug's should be illegal. But he hoped everyone used in the privacy of their home, and leaved it there. He was arrested for being in the wrong place at the wrong time, he was very clear to everyone around him he did not wish to go back to jail ever again.

[@420SanJuan]

hes really good at being right. we need more frank zappas to ask the right questions to. his answers make me want to do them.

[@Lengsel7]

I wish I had heard this interview back in the day when I was just a kid....and that it would've penetrated my skull.....following my elder siblings has turned out to be quite a disaster.

[@jazzynet1]

I kinda disagreed what he said in some parts, but I have to admit he was right in some other parts.

[@jontkernel]

"I was too stoned to know what I was talking about." HAHHAHAHAHA

[@suzygreenboy]

The last line killed me!

[@tommyhaynes521]

I think Zappa like being provocative , going against the flow. One can abuse anything , alcohol , tobacco, food or internet use (like me , now) He wanted to be in the counter- counter culture. I had a lot of wonder experiences with drugs but I know when to lay off. it can only take you so far.

[@lafleurR1ddl3]

God i loved that.

[@MrAguy645]

I think it means "Zappa's take on drugs."

[@icabodcranium]

She's got those pharmaceutical eyes!

[@secretmole]

I agree - I sure wish Frank was my older brother instead of the one I had. I'd be a much greater musician AND not have a Swiss cheese brain. A lot of us in my generation (end of the baby boomers) are basically victims of the 70's and 80's; especially if you lived in California. I don't blame anyone else. It all seemed so glamorous and exciting at the time. But of all the things I've lost - I miss my mind the most! If you are a teen now (or even in your 20's or 30's) and have a fairly bright future - take it from a veteran and loser of the drug wars - preserve your precious brain tissues, you will need them. Become addicted to music instead. Music is the only unpunished rapture on earth.

[@mattspencer3053]

It might not be too late to recapture it. Lots of coffee, lots of Hitchens.

[@BubbaZen10]

Very well said. I like to think of mine as more of a bowl of mush. I actually neither regret, nor will i glorify my times with drugs. I'll only tell anyone that wants to do them, just be ready for the really bad nightmare times, because trust me, they WILL come. And don't go blaming anyone but yourself when they do.

[@tomomokopictures8568]

BubbaZen10 Bubba Zen always deep

[@BubbaZen10]

Tomomoko Pictures Not sure if that is sarcasm or not. It works either way though!

[@tomomokopictures8568]

Sorry for that, no sarcasm intended. I was just trying to sound, well, 'deep' myself, but don't ask me why:P Anyway I agree with you:>

[@LMB222]

Coffee, cigarettes and tea, while still being drugs, don't fuck you up the way smack does. Clearly.

[@brianpyles3995]

Of course "The Burnouts", he's talking about, is me!!! I'm not paranoid!!!! I Know, he's talking about me!!!!

[@scottlebrun6782]

i miss frank

[@Marcone_]

2

[@drelinyth]

I miss Frank and Don van Vliet too.

[@ExposureToCrim]

This is correct, and further proves why you shouldn't lump together all drugs.

[@Teabonesteak]

man I laughed so hard at that intro.

[@h92o]

Zappa knew that all those "mistakes" were real ... you know the ones that happen when you are "unreal" and (-inside-) the hallucinatory field of delusions,..

[@arsenalfanrichi]

The build up to the last sentence!! LOL!

[@blondthought5175]

I like Frank. He seems pissed. Maybe just disgusted. And he gives sound advice.

[@blondthought5175]

You're probably right about that.

[@jeremyh9806]

since he died, "grass" has proven to have some medical benefits. Other than that, he pretty much hit the nail on the head. He'd be turning over in his grave now with all the pain killers and meth in the streets.

[@geezer999ify]

remember kids, stay in drugs and don't do school

[@DylanRoth1860]

no, no, no it's...drink your school, stay in drugs, and don't do milk!

[@TheTralfaz]

ha ha ha ha ha ha

[@mrsgstd4637]

Frank Zappa a rock star? That's an insult as he was so much more. A musician, composer, philosopher... rock star? Hardly

[@nightwatch01]

GREAT! Zappa was the Greatest!

[@MasterofPuberty]

Rolled my eyes at "THE Jefferson Airplane."

[@tomtiddler1]

He says "She was actually too stoned to know what i was talking about"

[@Joepepelombardo]

HELL YEAH!!!!! arf!!

[@perrykleez]

Funny stuff that last line....

[@vincevirtua]

hahaha... the bit about the stoned groupie at the end ...

[@joebloe9901]

I have to do a BONG rip to listen to Frank's music.

[@mitchellrodgers7479]

Frank did not use street drugs he called cigarettes and caffeine a food group

[@Xcorgi]

I think it was amazing that he crossed paths with one of those psycho weather underground extremeists and tried to turn her around. Amazing.

[@therollingbeachfloyd645]

Nicotine is my favorite vegetable!

[@IMissedChurchForThis]

Not to judge, I love Frank and all, but he's sitting there condemning drugs...while smoking a cigarette?

[@sebastianfibes2126]

I should have listened to him back then but noooo I knew better. Everything said then came true and now history will repeat itself.

[@juttrup]

If I was Frank Zappa, I guess I'd also choose the "rockstar-path" over being a radio host.

[@tomtiddler1]

It just happens to be the title of the programme, I haven't intentionally titled this to mislead people..

[@mrvivlaliberte]

Where did you get this, dude, It's bloody awesome. I want more!!!

[@NoMansSlave000]

most drugs have proven medical benefits, including acid and speed which were mentioned in the video (speed to a lesser extent but the benefits are still apparent). theres so many drugs with potential benefits but they dont get the mainstream support because theyre condemned by society now. pharmaceutical corporations are the problem these days - oxycodone, alprazolam, diazepam, methylphenidate - not so much illegal drugs such as acid, weed, etc.

[@itsstillfriday]

LoL!! Love the ending!! haha!!

[@johndunwiddie265]

as an individual that happily took mushrooms and micros in the 80s i can not agree with the no to drugs argument ,LSD did a lot for me mentally and spiritualy although it never helped my spelling anyway i think zapp is more concerned with smack and crack a bit of smoke never hurt anyone aslong as your over 16 .jj7

[@RAVENSandDOOMS]

Epic

[@zachsargent9561]

"taking dope"

[@nwrpw1]

I think he meant the people who take drugs for the fad if you will, rather than educating themselves first, and then finding the good drugs from the bad drugs, and just take them responsibly, because LSD and magic mushrooms provide great benefits for your consciousness. Also most people who listen to his music are on these drugs :)

[@nathandodge665]

he said ''SHE was too stoned''--- zappa didnt do drugs--he used to search his band members luggage before going thru customs --didnt want any trouble in foreign countries

[@franciscorodrigues8789]

You migthy God...

[@Verbeke7]

He also supported social security and gov't funded arts/research. It's disingenuous for anyone to try and label the man, he hated both the Democrats and Republicans.

[@Rikenrocker]

"I think she was too stoned to know what I was talking about" is what he says at the end. What's profound about that?

[@DawnOfTheDead991]

I wish I took his advice

[@Woozler554]

I'm sure a lot of people do.

[@mjazzguitar]

Woozler554 Known as learning the hard way. We were lucky. Some didn't learn, they died instead.

[@Woozler554]

mjazzguitar You're right, you WERE lucky. It boggles my mind when I hear morons these days advocating the supposed "virtues" of pot and other drugs.

[@slipskater4]

Woozler554 acid is good for you children

[@bouncepresents]

The Macbook I'm watching this on would beg to differ. I know he was only half serious though... & he always knew just what to say and when to say it...have to wait till the end for his real "stance"; lol.

[@lghalihaf]

She was too stoned to(know) understand what I was talking about! SMACK!

[@Huedtunes]

lol @ the ending

[@theinternet170]

I wonder what FZ would think about today's crazes of Flakka and other synthetics. He hadn't seen anything in his time. Oh and let's not forget krokodil...

[@thereminify]

I heartily agree, and if it were not creepy to write him in on the ballot, I would have. ;)

[@deepsee40NJ]

Frank was referring to the weather underground at 2min. mark. See how he refers to those times and PLACES, now put them together with events of today, Woo-lah, you ain't gotta speak French to gather intelligence. The amazing and widely misunderstood "no" Overnight Sensation Frank Zappa, gone to soon. It's all only CosmiK Debris.

[@mosleyzlove]

"She'd be more effective with some executive from a large company - changing policy, than she would pouring gasoline into jars and sticking wicks into them..." The pure genius of FZ!

[@chairuser4]

disc jockey groupie a special breed

[@Schweinrich]

I think she was to stoned to know what I was talking about - nice round up 80)

[@coolrockinmolly]

No, Frank was way before his time. We are now of a lesser mind because of his early demise.