Frank Zappa
1940–1993
8 genuine quotes, each found in the text, and 3 wrongly credited to Zappa.
American composer, guitarist and bandleader, leader of the Mothers of Invention, who mixed rock, jazz and orchestral music with satire and campaigned against censorship of records. He was a sharp talker in interviews and wrote an autobiography, so many quips are really his; the internet also credits him with stock sayings he is not known to have coined.
FrontispieceMade by an image model after Jay L. Handler’s publicity photograph of Frank Zappa (1973, public domain), in the manner of the psychedelic poster (1965–1973). The likeness is the original’s; this picture is AI‑generated and not historical. The endpaper behind it is an AI‑generated pattern in the same manner.
Genuine Zappa quotes
- Politics is the entertainment branch of industry.
Bob Marshall, interview with Frank Zappa, 21–22 October 1988, with Carolyn Dean and Gerald Fialka; transcription credited to Loren Gagnon, reproduced by AFKA, Bob Marshall interview, 21–22 October 1988; opening discussion distinguishing politics from civic obligation and policy.
- All the good music’s already been written by people with wigs and stuff on.
Batya Friedman and Steve Lyons, ‘Revolt Against Mediocrity’, The Progressive, November 1986, ‘Revolt Against Mediocrity’, The Progressive, November 1986, answer about the composer’s function in society.
- Information is not knowledge. Knowledge is not wisdom.
Bob Marshall, Frank Zappa interview, 21–22 October 1988, Bob Marshall interview, 21–22 October 1988, opening answer; further explanation later in the interview.
- Music is the only religion that really delivers the goods.
D. Housing, ‘Zappa Comes Clean’, Berkeley Barb, 27 March–2 April 1980, D. Housing, ‘Zappa Comes Clean’, Berkeley Barb, 27 March–2 April 1980; exchange about truth, fear and getting back to work.
- Pessimism and the natural instinct to raise hell are not mutually exclusive.
David Sheff, ‘Playboy Interview: Frank Zappa’, Playboy, April 1993, David Sheff, ‘Playboy Interview: Frank Zappa’, Playboy, April 1993; response to the question whether raising hell is worthwhile despite his cynicism.
- Stupidity is like hydrogen; it’s everywhere, it’s the basic building block of the universe.
Michael Bloom, ‘Interview with the Composer’, Trouser Press, February 1980, Michael Bloom interview, ‘Interview with the Composer’, Trouser Press, February 1980; discussion of pessimism before the questions about composition.
- In this context, the PMRC’s demands are the equivalent of treating dandruff by decapitation.
Testimony to the US Senate Commerce Committee (1985), Statement to the US Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, record-labeling hearing, 19 September 1985; opening statement after the discussion of the least restrictive alternative.
- Without deviation, progress is not possible.
Karl Dallas, ‘Enjoying the glandular arena’, Melody Maker, 26 January 1980, Karl Dallas interview, ‘Enjoying the glandular arena’, Melody Maker, 26 January 1980; opening exchange about Baby Snakes.
Quotes wrongly credited to Zappa
- So many books, so little time.
Not found. It is not in Zappa’s works, and who first wrote it is not known.
- A mind is like a parachute. It doesn’t work if it’s not open.
Not found. It is not in Zappa’s works, and who first wrote it is not known.
- Writing about music is like dancing about architecture.
Misattributed. Often credited to Frank Zappa, but Martin Mull is the probable originator: printed Mull credits date to 1979, while a Zappa credit is documented by 1984. The first utterance remains unconfirmed.
Paraphrased: Zappa’s thought, in other words
- The illusion of freedom will continue as long as it’s profitable to continue the illusion.
Paraphrase. The idea is in Jim Ladd, ‘Zappa On Air’, Nuggets, April 1977.
- Rock journalism is people who can’t write interviewing people who can’t talk for people who can’t read.
Paraphrase. The idea is in D. Housing, ‘Zappa Comes Clean’, Berkeley Barb, 27 March–2 April 1980.
The works we hold
Quotes are looked up word for word in these texts. The number is how many genuine quotes here come from each.
| Work | Year | Genuine quotes |
|---|---|---|
| Testimony to the US Senate Commerce Committee Statement to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, hearing on record labeling | 1985 | 1 |