In 1969 I applied for membership in Zappa's "United Mutations."
The mail-in form had the following questions:
- The best way to describe my social environment is: _____
- If I had my way I would change it to: _____
- How will you change your social environment: _____
While other "fan clubs" wondered what that fan's favorite
color was, Zappa was collecting data on teenage activism. "This,"
I thought, "is strange."
Frank Zappa has always meant more than just music to me. He used his
"pop star status" to expand not only the musical horizons
of his listeners but their social awareness as well. His outright refusal
to accept the status quo. His revolutionary drive to register young
voters.
Unfortunately the popularity of Frank Zappa's humorous tunes overshadows
his more serious musical explorations. It is my mission with ZappaTrax
to expose a new generation of interested and aware listeners to the
vast variety of styles and musical references Zappa's catalog represents.
The 20th Century's most eclectic composer was deadly serious about his
work--in a humorous way. From orchestral compositions to musique concrete;
jazz-fusion to doo-wop -- Zappa touched it all with mastery. He attracted
and discovered the best musicians in the business at any given time.
By his own proud admission, his most astounding work has "no commercial
potential."
As a true fan who followed in real time over the years, the unfolding
of the ongoing conceptual continuity that is Zappa's life work, I've
designed ZappaTrax to present for the RadioM audience an entertaining
overview of the extensive musical diversity Zappa's contribution to
our culture represents.
