Happy Birthday to Frank Zappa

Let’s celebrate the life and music of talented musician Frank Zappa, whose 75th birth anniversary is December 21.

With more than 80 albums to his credit, the songwriter, composer, record producer, bandleader and filmmaker was the leader of the band Mothers of Invention and won a Grammy in 1988 for the album Jazz from Hell. He died in 1993.

Music

You may know Zappa for some of his most famous songs:

• "Who Are the Brain Police?" on the album Freak Out (1966)
• "Peaches En Regalia" on the album Hot Rats (1969)
• "Valley Girl" on the album Ship Arriving Too Late to Save a Drowning Witch’ (1982)
• "Don’t Eat the Yellow Snow on the album Apostrophe (1974)

Books

Learn more about Zappa, who started composing classical music when he was in high school, with these titles.

Frank Zappa: A comprehensive resource and guide to Zappa's music, including his posthumous releases.

Dangerous Kitchen: Complete with illustrations, this book explores Zappa's life, music and myths about him.

Zappa: Pop culture biographer Barry Miles describes the life of this musical genius and his influence on popular culture.