Another day, another blog. However, it's a familiar topic; namely Zappa. Frank, that is. I must confess that I keep returning to Zappa...give it a few weeks, perhaps months...but I always come back! Learning all about Zappa is like chipping away at a rock: eventually you get the picture! But it's never complete...
In at least one interview, Zappa stated his view - backed up by record sales stats no doubt - that he was far more popular in Europe than in the US. Perhaps that is not surprising given that America and its unfortunates were often the object of his satire and derision. All done in the best possible taste, of course! Or at least, interjected with a huge dose of humour. That being the case, surely he was alienating his potential American market; especially amongst those who might identify themselves in his lyrics; assuming they were even tempted to like Zappa's work. In fact, no one escaped his razor like perceptions!
Perhaps unsurprisingly, he lived on the edge of the world's most anonymous city. And if he wasn't touring or taking care of business (TV interviews etc...) in some way, then he was invariably holed up in his studio; living a rather nocturnal life by working all night and sleeping all day. It is clear that he had little time for regular people; people that didn't belong in the world he had created for himself. Furthermore, there was little scope to interact with these 'regular' people (perhaps the objects of his satire) given his design for life.
Again from interviews, it becomes clear that his perceptions about American society were drawn from the TV he watched (CNN in particular) and the conversations he had with selected company. He rarely read books: they made him sleepy!
In fact, he didn't even drive - never had a licence since 1967. I guess he didn't have a reason to go anywhere. He lived near LAX so could hop on a plane and get to where he was going fast.
The thing I find odd is the extent to which he appears to have been a self publicist. Sure, you might argue that it was all about taking care of business; having ejected the Mothers of Invention moniker by the mid 70's. So he had to get his face out there. But it's interesting the extent to which he brought his family - particularly his children - into the fray. So, it's not like he was protecting a private life. But in a way, it was of no consequence: he never went anywhere in his neigbourhood; so he would never be recognised. So did it matter that everyone 'knew' him via the TV etc? His house - an impressive structure that was forever being modified, extended etc - had a rather unassuming front; with electronic gate and bars on the front door. So who would know?
