Frank Zappa, conservative

[Flood]

How so?

[InspectorHound]

He labeled people on drugs "assholes in action", and he tried cannabis only a few times, but without any pleasure

One evening, Zappa managed to entice some U.S. Marines from the audience onto the stage, where they proceeded to dismember a big baby doll, having been told by Zappa to pretend that it was a "gook baby".

Others were irritated by 'his autocratic ways',[61] exemplified by Zappa's never staying at the same hotel as the band members.

Zappa vehemently denied any anti-Semitic sentiments and dismissed the ADL as a "noisemaking organization that tries to apply pressure on people in order to manufacture a stereotype image of Jews that suits their idea of a good time"

[danner]

I think he considered himself a conservative in a very broad sense (pro-capitalism, low taxes, etc.), but he indentified himself as a Democrat and vocally hated Nixon and Reagan.

[cavorting with nudists]

As far as I can tell, he disliked women pretty much (partial exception: "groupies," whom he found interesting to the degree that they were willing to degrade themselves).

[daveB from Oakland]

Less a matter of politics and more a matter of him being a straight-up creepy jerk.

[dave from knoxville]

As far as I can tell, he disliked women pretty much (partial exception: "groupies," whom he found interesting to the degree that they were willing to degrade themselves).

His wife sees things differently.

[masterofsparks]

I read an interview where he self-identified as a small government small-c conservative. I have no idea where he fell on social issues.

[fonpr]

I read an interview where he self-identified as a small government small-c conservative. I have no idea where he fell on social issues.

He was a hardcore First Amendment guy.

Frank Zappa On Freedom Of Speech (CNN Crossfire 1986 - Pt. 1)

[cavorting with nudists]

As far as I can tell, he disliked women pretty much (partial exception: "groupies," whom he found interesting to the degree that they were willing to degrade themselves).

His wife sees things differently.

Link? Speaking frankly, she wouldn't be the first showbiz widow/widower with an interest in burnishing their spouse's reputation. The portrayals of women in his recorded works make a statement of their own, which may or may not reflect the true feelings of the artiste behind closed doors (an argument for which I have not much use--cf. Clay, Andrew Dice).

[nec13]

I read an interview where he self-identified as a small government small-c conservative. I have no idea where he fell on social issues.

Given the lyrical content in many of his songs, I would say that it's highly unlikely that Zappa was any kind of social conservative.

I remember reading a good chunk of his memoir at Barnes & Noble. In it, Zappa classified himself as, more or less, a libertarian. Although, I imagine he parted ways with them on drug matters.

[cavorting with nudists]

"Speaking frankly." Get it? Geeeht it???

[danner]

I remember reading a good chunk of his memoir at Barnes & Noble. In it, Zappa classified himself as, more or less, a libertarian. Although, I imagine he parted ways with them on drug matters.

Libertarian sounds like a fairly accurate label for him. I heard an interview with him (on Larry King maybe?) where he said that despite his own feeling about drugs, he didn't feel they should be illegal.

[nec13]

"Speaking frankly." Get it? Geeeht it???

Interesting story: In the late 80's, apparently Zappa was working on a concept album about Gary The Squirrel, entitled "Big Nuts." Unfortunately, he was never able to finish it. However, if you look around on the net, you can find some outtakes.

[daveB from Oakland]

I heard Gary's working on a power-pop rendition of "Jazz Fart".

[DavidSestrand]

Why was he so vehemently anti-music?