Most talented Musician in rock or pop history

[Gawain of Orkeny]

You must write the lyrics, music and play at least one instrument and sing to even start to qualify. So of those you mentioned Clapton certainly is the best according to that criteria.'

No way. The only thing he beats Zappa at is he has a better voice. Ive decide(i was thinking this already} That your correct and singers are not musicians so the voice quality thing is out the window. All you need to do is write your own music and lyrics and be incredible on an instrument or a few.

Theres no Way Clapton beat Mc Cartney either.

And back to best Female rockers. Joan Jett or Pat Benatar or maybe Heart and Patty Smyth.

[InsaneApache]

Patti Smith started as a poet. Horses has to be best solo female rock album of all time.

[Reverend Joe]

I think you old folks really don't give Hendrix enough credit. If you were to listen to "First Rays of the Rising Sun", I think you would be very surprised; not only was it very well-written, it was also really progressive, and it had a lot of the sounds that would not really appear for another few years.

Syd Barrett deserves a mention; before he lost it, he made some of the most beautiful psychedelic music in history, and his singles far outclass anything the other two big players in Floyd produced (in fact, I consider them to be better than anything released after "Wish You Were Here.")

Overall, though, I think Gawain nailed it: Frank Zappa.

[Gawain of Orkeny]

Overall, though, I think Gawain nailed it: Frank Zappa

The guy was a workaholic. Just look at this body of work.

Date ALBUMS / Singles
1966 Help I'm A Rock
1996 July FREAK OUT!
1966 November It Can't Happen Here
1966 Trouble Every Day
1967 April Big Leg Emma
1967 May 26 ABSOLUTELY FREE
1967 December Mother People
1968 March LUMPY GRAVY
1968 September WE'RE ONLY IN IT FOR THE MONEY
1968 October CRUISING WITH RUBEN & THE JETS
1968 December Deseri
1969 April MOTHERMANIA: THE BEST OF THE MOTHERS
1969 June UNCLE MEAT
1969 September My Guitar
1969 October 10 HOT RATS
1970 January Peaches En Regalia
1970 February BURNT WEENY SANDWICH
1970 March WPLJ
1970 August WEASELS RIPPED MY FLESH
1970 October 23 CHUNGA'S REVENGE
1970 November Tell Me You Love Me
1971 August FILLMORE EAST, JUNE 1971
1971 August Tears Began To Fall
1971 October 200 MOTELS
1971 October Magic Fingers
1971 November What Will This Evening Bring Me This Morning?
1971 WORST OF THE MOTHERS
1972 April JUST ANOTHER BAND FROM L.A.
1972 July 5 WAKA/JAWAKA
1972 December THE GRAND WAZOO
1972 December Cletus Awreetus-Awrightus
1973 January OVERNITE SENSATION
1973 February I'm The Slime
1974 March APOSTROPHE (')
1974 August Don't Eat The Yellow Snow
1974 August Cosmik Debris
1974 September 10 ROXY & ELSEWHERE
1975 June 25 ONE SIZE FITS ALL
1975 September Stink-Foot
1975 ZAPPA & THE MOTHERS: ROCK FLASHBACK
1975 October 2 BONGO FURY
1976 October Find Her Finer
1976 October 29 ZOOT ALLURES
1976 December Disco Boy
1978 June ZAPPA IN NEW YORK
1978 September 15 STUDIO TAN
1979 January 19 SLEEP DIRT
1979 March 3 SHEIK YERBOUTI
1979 April Dancin' Fool
1979 May 4 ORCHESTRAL FAVORITES
1979 September JOE'S GARAGE ACT I
1980 January Joe's Garage
1980 January JOE'S GARAGE ACT II & III
1980 June I Don't Want To Get Drafted
1981 May 11 RETURN OF THE SON OF SHUT UP 'N PLAY YER GUITAR
1981 May 17 TINSEL TOWN REBELLION
1981 September YOU ARE WHAT YOU IS
1981 November Goblin Girl
1982 February You Are What You Is
1982 May SHIP ARRIVING TOO LATE TO SAVE A DROWNING WITCH
1982 July Valley Girl
1982 August SHUT UP 'N PLAY YER GUITAR
1982 September Shut Up 'N Play Yer Guitar
1983 The Man From Utopia Meets Mary Lou (Medley)
1983 June THE MAN FROM UTOPIA
1983 June 9 LONDON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, VOL. 1
1983 March BABY SNAKES
1984 September Baby Take Your Teeth Out
1984 October THEM OR US
1984 TRUE GLOVE (EP)
1984 November THING-FISH
1984 November FRANCESCO ZAPPA
1984 BOULEZ CONDUCTS ZAPPA: THE PERFECT STRANGER
1985 FRANK ZAPPA MEETS THE MOTHERS OF PREVENTION
1986 February DOES HUMOR BELONG IN MUSIC?
1986 December JAZZ FROM HELL
1987 July OLD MASTERS - BOX ONE
1987 July OLD MASTERS - BOX TWO
1987 November OLD MASTERS - BOX THREE
1988 January THE LONDON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, VOLUME II
1988 April Sexual Harrassment in the Workplace
1988 April GUITAR
1988 April YOU CAN'T DO THAT ON STAGE ANYMORE, VOL. 1
1988 May Zomby Woof
1988 May Montana
1988 October YOU CAN'T DO THAT ON STAGE ANYMORE, VOL. 2
1988 December BROADWAY THE HARD WAY
1991 April THE BEST BAND YOU NEVER HEARD IN YOUR LIFE
1991 June MAKE A JAZZ NOISE HERE
1991 June YOU CAN'T DO THAT ON STAGE ANYMORE, VOL. 3
1991 June 4 AS AN AM ZAPPA
1991 June 4 FREAKS & MOTHERFUCKERS
1991 June 4 TIS THE SEASON TO BE JELLY
1991 June 21 YOU CAN'T DO THAT ON STAGE ANYMORE, VOL. 4
1991 July 16 ANYWAY THE WIND BLOWS
1991 July 16 THE ARK
1991 July 16 UNMITIGATED AUDACITY
1991 July 16 SAARBRUCKEN 1978
1991 July 16 PICANTIQUE - STOCKHOLM 1973
1991 September L.S.D. VOLUME 1
1991 December 3 INTERVIEW
1991 TRICK OR TREAT
1992 October PLAYGROUND PSYCHOTICS
1992 October YOU CAN'T DO THAT ON STAGE ANYMORE, VOL. 5
1992 October 23 YOU CAN'T DO THAT ON STAGE ANYMORE, VOL. 6
1993 February Stairway To Heaven
1993 March 23 AHEAD OF THEIR TIME
1993 November 2 THE YELLOW SHARK
1994 RARE MEAT
1995 February CIVILIZATION PHAZE III
1995 May MAGAZINE + CD
1995 August 22 STRICTLY COMMERCIAL
1995 CLEAN AMERICAN VERSION
1996 February 26 THE LOST EPISODES
1997 November PROPHETIC ATTITUDE
1997 April 8 HAVE I OFFENDED SOMEONE?
1997 May 20 STRICTLY GENTEEL
1998 April 28 CHEAP THRILLS
1999 April 27 SON OF CHEEP THRILLS
2002 October 15 ZAPPA PICKS BY JON FISHMAN OF PHISH
2002 October 15 ZAPPA PICKS BY LARRY LALONDE OF PRIMUS
2003 January 14 FOR COLLECTORS ONLY
2003 February 4 HALLOWEEN
2004 September 14 QUAUDIOPHILIAC
2005 May 31 THE CLASSIC INTERVIEWS

The list of great musicians who played in his band are legendary.

[Reverend Joe]

(sorry about the double post... no edit button.)

Forgot to mention... I recently got a bootleg record (as in LP!) of Pink Floyd playing Interstellar Overdrive -- with Frank Zappa on guitar. As you would suspect, it kicks F'in A.

[Gawain of Orkeny]

Zappa Having some fun with Stairway to Heaven

Although It starts a bit goofie stick around to the end. They will rock your sox off.

And now for something totally different

Frank Zappa & Captain Beefheart Willie the Pimp animation

I can never resist the chance to introduce people to Zappa. Sorry.

And Ive got 4th row tickets for Zappa plays Zappa at the Northfork theater on LI Aug 6th :)

[Reverend Joe]

Far out stuff (but the Stairway to Heaven one didn't work.)

I just recently got into Zappa after I got incredibly blitzed with some dude on the last of his stash and, having nothing better to do, we hung out in his room, listening to this wierd freakin' music. I turned to him and said, "That... sounds like... Captain Beefheart, man..." and he said "That's Frank Zappa." Good times.

Speaking of which, considering the titanic amount of music Zappa produced, could you recommend a starting point somehwere? A favorite record, say?

[Gawain of Orkeny]

That... sounds like... Captain Beefheart, man..." and he said "That's Frank Zappa." Good times.

Because it is Captain Beefheart, man

So you could start with

LINK

Since you seem to like Beefheart this is a calaboration album

Bongo Fury

(Zappa/Beefheart/Mothers, LP, DiscReet DS 2234, October 2, 1975)

Previous album | Notes & Comments | Vinyl vs CD | TFZMRI | Related links | Next album

1. Debra Kadabra 3:54
2. Carolina Hard-core Ecstasy 5:59
3. Sam With The Showing Scalp Flat Top (Van Vliet) 2:51
4. Poofter's Froth Wyoming Plans Ahead 3:03
5. 200 Years Old 4:32
6. Cucamonga 2:24
7. Advance Romance 11:17
8. Man With The Woman Head (Van Vliet) 1:28
9. Muffin Man 5:33
Produced by Frank Zappa

Overdubs and mixing at The Record Plant, L.A.
Engineered by Kerry McNab, Mike Braunstein, Kelly Kotera, Mike Stone, Davey Moire and Frank Hubach

Photography by John Williams
Design: Cal Schenkel

MUSIC SUPPLIED BY:
FZ--lead guitar, vocals
Captain Beefheart--harp, vocals, shopping bags
George Duke--keyboards, vocals
Napoleon Murphy Brock--sax, vocals
Bruce Fowler--trombone, fantastic dancing
Tom Fowler--bass, also dancing
Denny Walley--slide guitar, vocals
Terry Bozzio--drums, moisture
Chester Thompson--drums (on 200 Years Old and Cucamonga)
Robert "Frog" Camarena--uncredited vocals on Debra Kadabra

Hers the lyrics to the opening song. Its Beefheart alright

includes quotes from Tico-Tico No Fubá (de Abreu), The Brainiac (Carrión), Dust My Broom (James), Mr. Tambourine Man (Dylan), Pachuko Hop (Haven/Higgins) and All Night Long (Gray)

Armadillo World Headquarters, Austin, Texas
May 20-21, 1975

Debra Kadabra
Say she's a witch
Shit-ass Charlotte!
Ain't that a bitch?
Debra Kadabra--
Haw, that's rich!
(Ione, a rancho granny
Shook her wrinkled fanny . . . )

Shoes are too tight and pointed
Shoes are too tight and pointed
Ankles sorta puffin' out
Cause me to shout:

Oh Debra Algebra Ebneezra Kadabra!
Witch Goddess, Witch Goddess of Lankershim Boulevard!
Cover my entire body with Avon Cologna
And drive me to some relative's house in East L.A. (Wooden dog!)
(Just till my skin clears up)
Turn it to Channel 13
And make me watch the rubber tongue
When it comes out
From the puffed & flabulent Mexican rubber-goods mask
Next time they show The Brnokka
Make me buy The Flosser
Make me grow Braniac Fingers
(But with more hair)
Make me kiss your turquoise jewelry!
Emboss me!
Rub the hot front part of my head
With rented unguents!
Give me bas-relief!

Cast your dancing spell my way
I promise to go under it
Cast your dancing spell my way
I promise to go under it
Cast your dancing spell my way
I promise to go under it
(Oh, hell, yes!)
Cast your dancing spell my way
I promise to go under it
(Oh, hell, yes!)
Cast your dancing spell my way
I promise to go under it
(Oh, hell, yes!)
Cast your dancing spell my way
I promise to go under it
(Oh, heel, yes!)

Learn the Pachuco Hop
And let me twirl ya . . .
(Learn the Pachuco . . . learn the Pachuco Hop an' lemme twirl you)
Oh Debra Fauntleroy-Magnesium Kadabra!
Take me with you . . .
Don't you want any of these?

Muffin Man is maybe his best solo ever. I really love this album.

Although this is one of the finest solos ever recorded on film IMHO. Stevies spanking Featuring his protege Steve Vai and he trading monster licks and solos.

Heres Stairway again

My favorite album is Overnite sensation

Zappa / Mothers - Overnight Sensation (1973)
Track listing:
Camarillo Brillo 3:59
I'm the Slime 3:34
Dirty Love 2:58
50/50 6:10
Zomby Woof 5:10
Dinah-Moe-Hum 6:03
Montana 6:36

This is the first studio album from the mid-70s mothers - the same band listed for Piquantique, with the addition of Ian Underwood on woodwinds and sax, and Sal Marquez on trumpet and vocals. Considering the jazzy music played by this band on Piquantique, this studio disc comes as a bit of a surprise. This begins a period where Zappa seemed to be trying to appeal to a more mainstream audience, with goofy pop songs full of sex-obsessed lyrics.

Still, there's some pretty fantastic music on this disc, and some stuff that would drive the average pop fan insane. A good example of this is the song 50/50 - the vocals are about as grating as you can get, while the instrumental break in the middle contains killer keyboard, violin and guitar solos over a cool, funky rhythm section. Franks "social critic" side comes out too, with the song I'm the Slime which blasts the mindless programming and insidious advertising of television. And of course when Frank got the chance to perform on national TV (Saturday Night Live), I'm the Slime was one of the songs played, complete with a television monitor that oozed green slime.

Dinah-Moe-Hum is not for children

I noticed this at the end

When this album was originally released on CD, it was as a two-fer disc paired with Apostrophe('), since both albums were so short. That disc was one of my first introductions to Zappa, and helped turn me into the fanatic I am today. So even though they're not my favorite FZ albums anymore, they are a good place for beginners to start. The two-fer disc is long out of print though, but that's OK because the sound quality was really murky and low-volume. The current individual discs sound much better.

This then would be the CD to start with. Without a doubt two of his best albums

LINK

Its hard to believe the guy was vehemently anti drug and never did any in his entire life

[Gawain of Orkeny]

Patti Smith started as a poet. Horses has to be best solo female rock album of all time.

Yeah I was going to mention her as well

I said Patty Smyth. You know from Scandal? I am the Warrior, "Sometimes Love Just Ain't Enough" - with Don Henely ,"Goodbye To You" You know junk like that.

[Ianofsmeg16]

Bob Dylan...couldn't sing for peanuts but maaaaan he could write a good song.

as for musician, Eric Clapton or Slash springs to mind for guitar, although Carlos Santana has (in my opinion) a better "sound" that Clapton and Slash put together.

[AntiochusIII]

"Weird Al" Yankovic!!11!one!

*runs like a punk*

[InsaneApache]

I have to declare that I love Zappas take on Ring of Fire....


"Ow ow ow"

"Yup, the second verse is the same as the first, it's a good way to learn English".

[Moros]

Muffin Man is maybe his best solo ever. I really love this album.

Muffin Man is one of his best song indeed.
Tough, the solo of willy the pimp and why does it hurt when I pee are great too!

Edit: and for more great solo guitaring: my guitar wants to kill your momma (Eric Johnsson, Steve Vai, Joe Stratiani!!!)

[Gawain of Orkeny]

the solo of willy the pimp

I posted a link to that video. One hell of a long solo.

Edit: and for more great solo guitaring: my guitar wants to kill your momma (Eric Johnsson, Steve Vai, Joe Stratiani!!!)

You left out Zappa

[HoreTore]

WHY isn't Celine Dion mentioned?????????!!?!??!?!?!

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

[Moros]

You left out Zappa

I tought that it was obvious that he was paet of it all. I mean, the topic says Most talented Musician in or pop history, doesn't it?

Also, the spot of biggest Orgah FZ fan is already taken by, me. Did that a really long time ago. So ...err...pèh!

EDit: some Alvin Lee:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHw9b4BBV9Y

[Gawain of Orkeny]

I tought that it was obvious that he was paet of it all. I mean, the topic says Most talented Musician in or pop history, doesn't it?

No Its not because Im going to see all three you just mentioned in two months plying that very song . And much as I would love it I doubt Frank is going to make the show. Theve done it countless times in concert as Zappa plays Zappa. There will be a Zappa there but not Frank.

Also, the spot of biggest Orgah FZ fan is already taken by, me. Did that a really long time ago. So ...err...pèh!

No way Jose. Look at my registration date. Also look at my age. I saw Zappa 3 times on halloween at the Paladium in NYC. I was there when live in NY was recorded and filmed. I saw Frank 6 times. Now can you beat that?

Dit: some Alvin Lee:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHw9b4BBV9Y

I remember it was 1967 and a friday night and me and my friend wanted to see a concert. Jethro Tull was playing out at South Hampton Uni and my friend wanted to go there. He was and still is a huge Tull fan. I said its late and besides 10 years after is playing at Stonybrook UNI with the MC5 and Van Morrison (go figure). Plus it was only 15 minutes away. So I talked him into going there. They actually booed Van Morrison off the stage. Not his crowd I guess. The MC5 came out and rocked the house with their rauchy brand of rock. They closed with this little ditty


Rambling Rose

The true spirit of the 60s is captured here. Just listen to that introduction.



Keeping in the spirit 10 years After opened up with Good Morning Little School Girl.

Anyway they closed with goin. home Everyone was standing and jumping on their seat. The energy was overwhelming. The term rocked the roof off the building does not begin to convey the intensity. By the time they finished even the audience was spent. My friend was a happy he came.


But speaking of 10 years after I think this is their best songs and I would have to include it my my favorite top 10 songs ever

I'd Love To Change The World

Tax the rich feed the poor till there aint no rich no more. I wonder if he realised that could be taken two ways?

Man is youtube the greatest thing since sliced bread or what. Even if they have taken off some of my favorite videos. I never thought I would ever see any of this stuff again.

[Togakure]

I have a hard time with absolutes, so I can't answer to "most" talented. Along with Zappa, Clapton, McCartney, Hendrix, Mercury, Sting, and Joel as candidates, I would include Presley, Elton, Prince, and Reznor. Gabriel and Bush also come to mind as I ponder this.

A major factor for me is their uniqueness and originality at the time they broke into the scene. This is a ... facet of "talent" that some of those mentioned had much more of than the others--Presley, Hendrix, and Zappa in particular.

Frankly (lol ...) I never got into Zappa much. Too outside for me, no lasting appeal. Cerebrally interesting, but soulfully ... lacking. I really enjoy many of the musicians who rose to fame after playing in his band though.

[Reverend Joe]

Rambling Rose

The true spirit of the 60s is captured here. Just listen to that introduction.

Why not this?

[Gawain of Orkeny]

Why not this?

I like it with the Woodstock opening. Funny it was in the movie but I cant find a clip. But you want the spirit of the 60s ? Well here it is

Jefferson Airplane - Somebody to Love (Woodstock1969)

And this is a classic. Dont eat the acid