alt.fan.frank-zappa FAQ

Version 2.2, September 1, 1995

These are the Frequently Asked Questions (and answers) for the alt.fan.frank-zappa newsgroup. This file is posted twice a month. The original version of this FAQ was created by Rob Sweet <sweet@skat.usc.edu>. The current maintainer is Robbert Heederik <heederik@wins.uva.nl>.

1. About this FAQ

2. General Questions

2.1 I heard that Frank Zappa has passed on. Is this true?

2.2 I just started listening to Zappa. Which albums should I check out?

2.3 I find some of Zappa's lyrics to be offensive. Is Zappa a sexist?

2.4 What are the names of Frank Zappa's kids?

2.5 Where can I find Zappa stuff on the net?

2.6 What are those funny-looking uppercase acronyms I see when people are mentioning Zappa albums?

2.7 What are those Frank Zappa CDs/cassettes on Rhino? Are they a ripoff or what?

2.8 What is T'Mershi Duween? What other FZ fanzines are available?

2.9 Was Zappa's real name ``Frank'' or ``Francis''?

2.10 What is the Zappa hotline?

2.11 What other recording acts did Zappa produce or play with?

2.12 What role did FZ play in the PMRC ``record-rating'' hearings?

2.13 Why isn't 200 Motels available on CD?

2.14 What were Zappa's favourite records?

3. Questions regarding lyrics, rumors and conceptual continuity

3.1 I heard that Frank Zappa participated in a ``Gross Out'' contest on stage. Is this true?

3.2 What is a ``Florentine Pogen''?

3.3 Where can I go to get my poodle clipped in Burbank?

3.4 Who is the bass player on The Grand Wazoo and Waka/Jawaka, credited only as ``Erroneous?''

3.5 What is the cat saying on the Barking Pumpkin logo?

3.6 What is the Japanese text on the cover of Zoot Allures?

3.7 Who is on the cover of the ``Hot Rats'' album?

3.8 What is ``vloerbedekking''?

3.9 What are the backwards lyrics in ``Ya Hozna''?

3.10 What does WPLJ stand for?

3.11 Who is Francesco Zappa?

3.12 Who is Brother A. West?

3.13 Did Zappa invent the wah-wah peddle?

3.14 What is a ``Telefunken U-47''?

3.15 What is ``Phydeaux 3''?

3.16 How is the Mudshark dance performed?

3.17 Where do the guitar solos from ``Guitar'' and ``SUNPYG'' come from?

3.18 Did Al DiMeola play with Frank Zappa?

3.19 Who is Suzy Creamcheese?

3.20 What was the original cover to ``Best Band You Never Heard in Your Life''

3.21 Is it ``Bobby Brown'' or ``Bobby Brown Goes Down''?

3.22 Some ``Civilization, Phaze III'' Questions

3.23 What does ``Confinement Loaf'' mean?

3.24 What's with the credits omissions on ``Roxy & Elsewhere''?

3.25 What does ``Manny the Camper wants to buy some white'' refer to?

3.26 Why didn't Warner Brothers release ``Laether''?

3.27 What are ``Mandies''?