Biography
Frank Vincent Zappa (December 21, 1940 – December 4, 1993) was an American composer, singer-songwriter, electric guitarist, record producer and film director. In a career spanning more than 30 years, Zappa wrote rock, jazz, electronic, orchestral and musique concrète works. He also directed feature-length films and music videos, and designed album covers. Zappa produced almost all of the more than 60 albums he released with the band The Mothers of Invention and as a solo artist. While in his teens, he acquired a taste for percussion-based avant-garde composers such as Edgard Varèse and 1950s rhythm and blues music. He began writing classical music in high school, while at the same time playing drums in rhythm and blues bands; he later switched to electric guitar. He was a self-taught composer and performer, and his diverse musical influences led him to create music that was often impossible to categorize. His 1966 debut album with The Mothers of Invention, Freak Out!, combined songs in conventional rock and roll format with collective improvisations and studio-generated sound collages. His later albums shared this eclectic and experimental approach, irrespective of whether the fundamental format was one of rock, jazz or classical. He wrote the lyrics to all his songs, which—often humorously—reflected his iconoclastic view of established social and political processes, structures and movements. He was a strident critic of mainstream education and organized religion, and a forthright and passionate advocate for freedom of speech, self-education, political participation and the abolition of censorship. Zappa was a highly productive and prolific artist and gained widespread critical acclaim. Many of his albums are considered essential in rock and jazz history. He is regarded as one of the most original guitarists and composers of his time. He also remains a major influence on musicians and composers. He had some commercial success, particularly in Europe, and for most of his career was able to work as an independent artist. Zappa was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995 and received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997. Zappa was married to Kathryn J. "Kay" Sherman from 1960 to 1964. In 1967, he married Adelaide Gail Sloatman, with whom he remained until his death from prostate cancer in 1993. They had four children: Moon Unit, Dweezil, Ahmet Emuukha Rodan and Diva Thin Muffin Pigeen. Gail Zappa manages the businesses of her late husband under the name the Zappa Family Trust. Description above from the Wikipedia article Frank Zappa, licensed under CC-BY-SA,full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Acted in 16
2020s
- 2024
Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention: Live at Whisky a Go Go 1968
Movie
2000s
- 2007
Frank Zappa: A Pioneer of the Future of Music
Movie
Frank Zappa: Roxy, 1973
Movie
1990s
- 1997
Hey, Hey, We're The Monkees
Mike Nesmith (archive footage)
- 1991
Pražákům, těm je hej
Frank Zappa
1980s
- 1988
Frank Zappa: Live in Barcelona
Movie
- 1984
The Boy Who Left Home to Find Out About the Shivers
Attila
- 1982
1970s
- 1973
Frank Zappa: Opopoppa Stockholm, Sweden
Movie
- 1971
200 Motels
Member of Mothers of Invention (uncredited)
Frank Zappa, John Lennon & Yoko Ono: At Fillmore East
Movie
1960s
- 1968
Head
The Critic
You Are What You Eat
Movie
- 1967
Mondo Hollywood
Movie
Sound 26
2020s
- 2025
Marc-André Hamelin @ Ruhr Piano Festival 2025
Music
Frank Zappa: Cheaper Than Cheep
Songs
- 2024
Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention: Live at Whisky a Go Go 1968
Music
- 2020
2010s
- 2015
Frank Zappa & The Mothers: Roxy: The Movie
Music
- 2014
Cheepnis
Music
- 2013
Frank Zappa: A Token Of His Extreme
Music
2000s
- 2008
An Evening with Frank Zappa During Which... The Torture Never Stops
Music
- 2002
Band from Utopia: A Tribute to the Music of Frank Zappa
Music
1990s
- 1997
Happy Birthday to John
Songs
- 1994
- 1993
Beasts
Music
- 1992
The Yellow Shark
Conductor, Music
- 1991
Frank Zappa: Peefeeyatko
Music
1980s
- 1988
The True Story of Frank Zappa's 200 Motels
Music
- 1987
Video from Hell
Music
The Amazing Mr. Bickford
Music
- 1985
Frank Zappa: Does Humor Belong in Music?
Music
- 1982
Frank Zappa: The Dub Room Special!
Music
1970s
- 1979
Baby Snakes
Music
- 1971
200 Motels
Music Arranger, Original Music Composer
Frank Zappa
Music
1960s
- 1969
Burnt Weeny Sandwich
Music
- 1965
Run Home Slow
Original Music Composer
- 1962
The World's Greatest Sinner
Original Music Composer
Directed 13
2010s
- 2015
Frank Zappa & The Mothers: Roxy: The Movie
Director
- 2014
Cheepnis
Director
2000s
- 2007
Frank Zappa: Roxy, 1973
Director
1980s
- 1988
The True Story of Frank Zappa's 200 Motels
Director
- 1987
Video from Hell
Director
The Amazing Mr. Bickford
Director
Uncle Meat
Director
- 1985
Night Flight with Frank Zappa, Porn Wars
Director
Frank Zappa: Does Humor Belong in Music?
Director
- 1982
Frank Zappa: The Dub Room Special!
Director
1970s
- 1979
Baby Snakes
Director
- 1971
200 Motels
Director
1960s
- 1969
Burnt Weeny Sandwich
Director
Wrote 10
2010s
- 2015
Frank Zappa & The Mothers: Roxy: The Movie
Writer
1980s
- 1988
The True Story of Frank Zappa's 200 Motels
Writer
- 1987
Video from Hell
Writer
The Amazing Mr. Bickford
Writer
Uncle Meat
Writer
- 1985
Night Flight with Frank Zappa, Porn Wars
Writer
Frank Zappa: Does Humor Belong in Music?
Writer
- 1982
Frank Zappa: The Dub Room Special!
Writer
1970s
- 1979
Baby Snakes
Writer
- 1971
200 Motels
Screenplay
Produced 10
2020s
- 2025
Frank Zappa: Cheaper Than Cheep
Producer
2010s
- 2015
Frank Zappa & The Mothers: Roxy: The Movie
Producer
- 2014
Cheepnis
Producer
1990s
- 1991
Frank Zappa: Peefeeyatko
Producer
1980s
- 1988
The True Story of Frank Zappa's 200 Motels
Producer
- 1987
Video from Hell
Producer
Uncle Meat
Producer
The Amazing Mr. Bickford
Producer
- 1985
Frank Zappa: Does Humor Belong in Music?
Producer
1970s
- 1979
Baby Snakes
Producer
Edited 3
2010s
- 2014
Cheepnis
Editor
- 2013
Frank Zappa: A Token Of His Extreme
Editor
1970s
- 1979
Baby Snakes
Editor
Other crew 2
2020s
- 2024
The Residents - A Documentary
Compositor
1990s
- 1994
Camera 1
1980s
- 1987
Video from Hell
Camera Operator
Art department 1
1970s
- 1971
The Manipulator
Props
Appearances77
2020s
- 2026
Nova '78
Self (archive footage)
- 2025
Frank Zappa: Cheaper Than Cheep
Self (guitar, vocals)
- 2023
- 2022
Steve Vai - His First 30 Years: The Documentary
Self (archive footage)
Rock this Town
Self (archive footage)
- 2021
Kalvøyafestivalen - 50 år siden første riff
Self (archive footage)
Classic Albums: Frank Zappa & The Mothers Of Invention - Freak Out!
Self
The Art of Dissent
Self - Subject (archive footage)
- 2020
Laurel Canyon
Self (archive footage) · 2 episodes
2010s
- 2019
Echo in the Canyon
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
- 2018
Cosmic Debris
Himself (archive footage)
- 2016
Eat That Question: Frank Zappa in His Own Words
Self (archive footage)
Frank Zappa & the Mothers of Invention - The Lost Broadcast: The Beat Club '68
Self
- 2015
Frank Zappa & The Mothers: Roxy: The Movie
Himself
Feats First: The Life and Music of Lowell George
Self (archive footage)
- 2014
Led Zeppelin Played Here
Self (archive footage)
Made in Japan: The Rise of Deep Purple Mk II
Self (archive footage)
Cheepnis
Himself
Super Duper Alice Cooper
Self (archive footage)
- 2013
Frank Zappa: A Token Of His Extreme
Himself
- 2012
From Straight to Bizarre
Self
- 2010
Frank Zappa: The Freak Out List
Himself
Hart & Soul - The Hart Family Anthology
Self (archive footage)
2000s
- 2009
Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention: In the 1960's
Himself
- 2008
Frank Zappa - Live in Paris 1980
Self
An Evening with Frank Zappa During Which... The Torture Never Stops
Self
Frank Zappa: The Broadcast Archives
Self
Frank Zappa: Music In Review
Self (archive footage)
- 2007
- 2006
Fuck
Self (archive footage)
- 2005
Girls and Boys - Sex and British Pop
Self (archive footage) · 4 episodes
Frank Zappa: A Token of His Extreme
Himself
Derailroaded
Self (archive footage)
- 2002
Hollywood Rocks the Movies: The 1970s
Self (archive footage)
1990s
- 1997
The Artist Formerly Known As Captain Beefheart
Himself (archive footage)
- 1993
The Revenge of the Dead Indians
Himself
- 1992
The Yellow Shark
Self
- 1991
Frank Zappa: Peefeeyatko
Self
1980s
- 1989
Decade
Self
- 1988
The True Story of Frank Zappa's 200 Motels
Self
- 1987
Video from Hell
Self
The Amazing Mr. Bickford
Self
Uncle Meat
Self / The Imaginary Director
- 1985
Night Flight with Frank Zappa, Porn Wars
Self
Frank Zappa: Does Humor Belong in Music?
Self
- 1983
Cocaine Blues
Himself
- 1982
Frank Zappa: The Dub Room Special!
Self
1970s
- 1979
Baby Snakes
Self
- 1978
Frank Zappa: We Don't Mess Around
Self
- 1975
- 1972
Yoko Ono: This Is Not Here
Self
Deep Purple: Made In Japan
Self (archive footage)
- 1971
The Making of 200 Motels
Self
Frank Zappa
Self
- 1970
Amougies (Music Power - European Music Revolution)
Self
Pink Floyd: Amougies Pop Festival
Self
1960s
- 1969
Burnt Weeny Sandwich
Self
- 1968
- 1967
Inside Pop: The Rock Revolution
Self
Inside Pop: The Rock Revolution
Self · 1 episode
Sex in Today's World
Self
- 1966
- 1965
The Big T.N.T. Show
Self (uncredited)
Beat-Club
Self · 1 episode
- 1964
Late Night Line-Up
Himself · 1 episode
