FRANK ZAPPA: The Blunt Way

“Michael, what’s up?”

It’s Frank Zappa. At last. By trying to have this interview coincide with some of his upcoming releases, I’ve almost missed connecting with Zappa. He’s gearing up for his first tour in over three years, rehearsing his band eight hours a day, all the while trying to tie up loose ends in a number of areas. One of our foremost musicaholics has been as busy as ever: Frank and the band are scheduled to be in Europe as you read this, and “there has been some talk about doing 10 weeks in late summer, outdoor festival type things,” west of the Mississippi—his dates earlier this year were confined to the Midwest and Northeast.

It’s always invigorating to talk to Frank. The guy is real bright and real direct, to put it mildly.

“I’ve never been mysterious,” he asserts. “I’m pretty overt, as a matter of fact. I’ve always been blunt and I hope to be blunt for the rest of my life. The most valuable commodity in American life today is unbridled bluntness.”