KPFA-FM Music Dept. ➔ Zappa as DJ, 1968, 2 of 4

Analog Audio

Event Type

Interview and Music

Origin

KPFA

Identifier

C.1968.XX.XX.c1.B

Program Length

97 min

Part

2 of 4

Dates

| broadcast
| 402 | created

Description

From a program recorded in 1968, Tom Donahue interviews Frank Zappa about his life and work, and allows the irreverent rock star to present some of his favorite music. The ensuing free form program ranges from surf music, doo-wop, jazz, the blues, to the works of Pierre Boulez. The song selection is very informative for any fan of Zappa’s music, as one can easily trace the influence of all these styles on his own creative output, be it the cheesy harmonies of 1950s pop songs or the intricate percussive patterns of Boulez’s avant-garde classical compositions. The role that such songs had on Zappa’s own musical evolution is made all the more clear at the end of this hilarious program when a selection of satirical songs from the Mothers of Invention are also heard.

Genres

Popular music

Musical Selections

Le Marteau Sans Maître ("The Hammer Without Master") [excerpt] / Pierre Boulez -- When we get married / The Dream Lovers -- Memories of El Monte / Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention -- Goodbye Pork Pie Hat / Charlie Mingus -- Lucy Mae Blues / Frankie Lee Sims

Subjects

Popular music
Avant-garde (Music)
Percussion music
Doo-wop (Music)
Rock music
Jazz
Surf music

Related places

Berkeley (Calif.) (was recorded at)
Berkeley (Calif.) (was broadcast at)

Related Entities

Dream Lovers (Musical group)
Mothers of Invention
Zappa, Frank
Donahue, Tom
Boulez, Pierre, 1925-2016
Mingus, Charles, 1922-1979
Sims, Frankie Lee, 1917-1970