My Icon Wants To Kill Your Mama
Frank Zappa is my favorite composer of all time. He was born on December 21st, 1941. Were he still alive he would turn 68 today. I’m celebrating that with an icon.
I met the music of Frank Zappa (pictured above with his parents, image from LIFE magazine) in 1994 and haven’t looked back since. For me it’s the best there is: compelling, funny, far ahead of its time. And there’s lots of it. He published about 70 albums in his lifetime, an impressive feat considering many of them are double CD’s with extensive production work. Zappa was a master in the studio, too, and used editing as a compositional device.
Many people hate his music and hated his guts. I won’t discuss personal matter here but I’d like to point out Frank Zappa as a great example of a highly original individual who was able to do whatever he wanted to do against the whole establishment. And that’s inspiration.
For those interested in discovering this amazing guy I suggest you listen to his music first of all and then read “The Real Frank Zappa Book”, his autobiography of sorts published in 1989. His interviews are also very insightful. The man was full of great quotes and had a sheer love for music.
Listen to “My Guitar Wants To Kill Your Mama” from 1970′s Weasels Ripped My Flesh. It’s a rather straightforward song but listen to those unusual solos! They still surprise the hell out of me every time I hear them.
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I created a little icon for Zappa’s 68th birthday:
Download the icon (Mac & Win), listen to Frank Zappa’s music and be original and honest in your work.
Thank you, Frank, for giving me the best music ever and for being the greatest source of inspiration in my life. Your unique voice is sorely missed.
Hi Andrea, Frank Zappa is also my favourite composer of all time. He is the best. I have all his albums and was lucky enough to see him play. I wish he was still around today. Sigh. Thats a fabulous drawing you have done of him.
I am a complete beginner on Illustrator and spent the last three months doodling around whilst listening to Zappa. It is all I seem to do these days, it is so much fun!
Thanks for the tutoriols.
He was the man! It’s a real tragedy he’s gone but at least we have his wonderful music to get throught these tough times.
Hi Andrea, just a general tumbs up to your work- you have great taste and skills and then I couldn´t agree more with you about FZ – do you know Ruben and the Jetz? (Masterpeice imo.) – I was “lucky” to see him perform at at age 9 in 1981 – unfortunately I only made it half through the concert due to the massive “smooking” by the audience, and passed out after 2 hours (he played for 4.5hour) ;)
Keep up the good work, I´ll look forward to hire you for a job some day!
The Ruben album is fun although not my favorite. I super envy you for having seen FZ live. Unfortunately I only discovered him after his death.
All hail Frank…. I share his birthday and love his work….
Who stole my zircon encrusted tweezers?…..
Either the Mystery Man or the Fur Trapper.
Hi Andrea, how much can costs a personalized icon like this?
Frank please use my form to request an estimate. Thanks.
Cool! Zappa freaks! LOL Loved the man and his music. He was a genius.
Now, I must go. I have a crop of dental floss to harvest.
Su
You’re on your way to become a dental floss tycoon!