Few artists are met with the reverence graced upon Frank Zappa, and for good reason. With over 100 albums to his name, Zappa somehow combined subversive lyrics, bizarre compositional techniques, and top-notch musicianship in each of his creations. Not only that, but his performances were something to behold, bringing his strangely intoxicating music into the live setting with gusto.
Today marks what would have been Zappa’s 83rd birthday for the guitarist born on December 21st, 1940. Although December 21st is the shortest day of the year, the day looms large as a monument to Frank Zappa and his accomplishments. In honor of his birthday, we picked out a great video capturing the man in action with his most recognizable band, The Mothers Of Invention.
While Zappa would go through many band names and lineups over his career, The Mothers certainly stand out as the most renowned. In the early ’60s, Zappa joined an R&B cover band in California and forced them to change the name to The Mothers. However, record companies didn’t take to that name.
As Zappa explained in a 1974 Finnish TV interview, “In the United States, the term ‘mother’ is short for motherf*cker. And the term ‘motherf*cker’ can be used in a variety of ways. One way, it means somebody who stuffs it up their mother. And another way it means a musician who is supposedly good at his instrument. And at the time, in the place where we were working, all the guys who were in the group were the best available at their instrument in Pomona. … So I thought we should call the group ‘the mothers.’ The record company said, ‘No, you’ll never be able to sell any records like that.’ They said, ‘If you don’t change the name of the group, we’re not going to give you a contract.’ They wanted to call it the Mothers Auxiliary, which is a name that is usually attached to parent organizations in the States. So I said, ‘No, out of necessity, we will become The Mothers of Invention.” Watch the full interview below:
Frank Zappa 1974 Interview
[Video: cosmicrat]
Though the band’s debut album, Freak Out, sold poorly, Zappa led the band to commercial success through a series of albums in the late-’60s and early-’70s. The most well-known lineup of the Mothers of Invention solidified in the ’70s, with drummer Ralph Humphrey, trumpeter Sal Marquez, keyboardist/vocalist George Duke, trombonist Bruce Fowler, bassist Tom Fowler, percussionist Ruth Underwood, and keyboardist/saxophonist Ian Underwood. That is the lineup that is featured in the video below, captured in Stockholm on 8/21/73. Feast your ears on some classic Frank Zappa, and join us in celebrating his life and legacy on this day.
The Mothers of Invention – 8/21/73 – Stockholm, Sweeden – Full Show
[Video:Â Bartek Kaszuba]
Setlist: Frank Zappa | Skansen | Stockholm, Sweden | 8/21/73Â
Set: Cosmik Debris, The Eric Dolphy Memorial Barbecue, Kung Fu, Penguin Bondage, RDNZL, Improvisation, Dupree’s Paradise [1], Farther O’Blivion
Notes:
[1] w/”Satin Doll” (Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra) tease
[Originally published 12/21/16]