Frank Zappa
Also Known As: Zappa, FZ, Френк Заппа
Biography: Frank Vincent Zappa (December 21, 1940 – December 4, 1993) was an American composer, singer-songwriter, electric guitarist, record producer and film director. In a career spanning more than 30 years, Zappa wrote rock, jazz, electronic, orchestral and musique concrète works. He also directed feature-length films and music videos, and designed album covers. Zappa produced almost all of the more than 60 albums he released with the band The Mothers of Invention and as a solo artist. While in his teens, he acquired a taste for percussion-based avant-garde composers such as Edgard Varèse and 1950s rhythm and blues music. He began writing classical music in high school, while at the same time playing drums in rhythm and blues bands; he later switched to electric guitar. He was a self-taught composer and performer, and his diverse musical influences led him to create music that was often impossible to categorize. His 1966 debut album with The Mothers of Invention, Freak Out!, combined songs in conventional rock and roll format with collective improvisations and studio-generated sound collages. His later albums shared this eclectic and experimental approach, irrespective of whether the fundamental format was one of rock, jazz or classical. He wrote the lyrics to all his songs, which—often humorously—reflected his iconoclastic view of established social and political processes, structures and movements. He was a strident critic of mainstream education and organized religion, and a forthright and passionate advocate for freedom of speech, self-education, political participation and the abolition of censorship. Zappa was a highly productive and prolific artist and gained widespread critical acclaim. Many of his albums are considered essential in rock and jazz history. He is regarded as one of the most original guitarists and composers of his time. He also remains a major influence on musicians and composers. He had some commercial success, particularly in Europe, and for most of his career was able to work as an independent artist. Zappa was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995 and received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997. Zappa was married to Kathryn J. "Kay" Sherman from 1960 to 1964. In 1967, he married Adelaide Gail Sloatman, with whom he remained until his death from prostate cancer in 1993. They had four children: Moon Unit, Dweezil, Ahmet Emuukha Rodan and Diva Thin Muffin Pigeen. Gail Zappa manages the businesses of her late husband under the name the Zappa Family Trust. Description above from the Wikipedia article Frank Zappa, licensed under CC-BY-SA,full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Department: Acting
Place of Birth: Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Adult: No
Deathday: December 04, 1993
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Known For:
Sex in Today's World
Overview: An examination of changing sexual attitudes in the United States, including comments on the personal and sociological significance of the changes of the time.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1967-01-11
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Inside Pop: The Rock Revolution
Overview: Documentary about young pop and rock musicians producing music as "a symptom and generator" of social unrest and generation gaps.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1967-04-25
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Frank Zappa - Summer '82: When Zappa Came to Sicily
Overview: In the feature documentary, Summer 82 - When Zappa Came to Sicily, filmmaker and Zappa fan Salvo Cuccia tells the behind-the-scenes story of Frank Zappa's star-crossed concert in Palermo, Sicily, the wrap-up to a European tour that ended in public disturbances and police intervention. Cuccia had a ticket to the concert but never made it. Thirty years later, collaborating with Zappa's family, he re-creates the events through a combination of rare concert and backstage footage; photographs; anecdotes from family, band members, and concertgoers; and insights from Zappa biographer and friend Massimo Bassoli. The story is also a personal one, as Cuccia interweaves the story of Zappa's trip to Sicily with his own memories from that summer.
Genres: Music Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2014-10-05
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Video From Hell
Overview: In a little over an hour, 'VIDEO FROM HELL' provides a preview of current and projected Honker releases, including 'BABY SNAKES', 'THE TRUE STORY OF 200 MOTELS' and 'UNCLE MEAT' (all 1987 releases) along with segments of 1988 shows still in preparation ('YOU CAN'T DO THAT ON STAGE ANYMORE'- which will be released after the multi-CD package, 'I NEED YOUR LOVE' - the homespun philosophy of Al Malkin, and 'AN AMERICAN DISSIDENT' - the homespun philosophy of Frank Zappa).
Genres: Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1987-02-28
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Cheepnis
Overview: Featuring the only footage Zappa cut together from his legendary 1973 Roxy concerts, "Cheepnis" sings the praises of low-budget monster movies. This short documents the director, bandleader, songwriter and musician at work. (American Cinematheque program notes)
Genres: Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2014-08-17
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Frank Zappa filmt 200 Motels
Overview: Making of "200 Motels".
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: nl
Release Date: 1971-12-23
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200 Motels
Overview: "Touring makes you crazy," Frank Zappa says, explaining that the idea for this film came to him while the Mothers of Invention were touring. The story, interspersed with performances by the Mothers and the Royal Symphony Orchestra, is a tale of life on the road. The band members' main concerns are the search for groupies and the desire to get paid.
Genres: Fantasy Comedy Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1971-11-10
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Frank Zappa: The Torture Never Stops
Overview: Halloween, New York City, 1981 Live at The Palladium with Ray White, Steve Vai, Bobby Martin, Tommy Mars, Ed Mann, Scott Thunes, Chad Wackerman
Genres: Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2008-05-01
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Frank Zappa: New York and Elsewhere
Overview: Frank Zappa: New York & Elsewhere is an Austrian released TV documentary directed in 1980 by Rudi Dolezal and Hannes Rossacher, aka DoRo productions, who are most popular for their work with Queen.
Genres: Documentary Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1980-06-01
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Frank Zappa: The Present-Day Composer Refuses To Die
Overview: Frank Zappa: The Present-Day Composer Refuses To Die is a 2000 documentary about Frank Zappa.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2000-07-02
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Frank Zappa: Phase II - The Big Note
Overview: Frank Zappa: Phase Two is a 2002 documentary about Frank Zappa. It features a lot of footage from Scheffer's previous film, but new material from Malcolm McNab's private achive.
Genres: Documentary Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2002-06-20
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Burnt Weeny Sandwich
Overview: A film by Frank Zappa made for the Dilexi Foundation on KQED
Genres: Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1969-04-30
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Zapped: Frank Zappa par Frank Zappa
Overview: Documentary on Frank Zappa.
Genres: Music Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2016-01-01
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Funny
Overview: People are asked to tell their favorite jokes.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1988-04-01
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Hey, Hey, We're The Monkees
Overview: Documentary focusing The Monkees, the 1960s pop group originally created for a TV sitcom. Interviews with the band members, the show's creators, and musical collaborators and peers are featured.
Genres: Documentary TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1997-01-22
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Hollywood Rocks the Movies: The 1970s
Overview: A look at "rock and roll" and other pop music based film of the 1970s.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2002-08-30
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Fuck
Overview: A documentary on the expletive's origin, why it offends some people so deeply, and what can be gained from its use.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2006-11-10
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EAV Rarities
Overview: This recording is a rarity documentary about the EAV. The recording was released in 2006 on the DVD "100 Years EAV".
Genres: Music Documentary
Original Language: de
Release Date: 2006-02-10
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Super Duper Alice Cooper
Overview: Emerging from the Detroit music scene of the 1970s in a flurry of long hair and sequins, Alice Cooper restored hard rock with a sense of showmanship, while simultaneously striking fear into the hearts of Middle America with the chicken-slaughtering, dead-baby-eating theatrics that would cement his identity as a glam metal icon. Meticulously crafted from rare archival footage, Super Duper Alice Cooper tells the story of the man behind the makeup, Vincent Furnier, the son of a preacher, who got caught in the grip of his own monster.
Genres: Documentary Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2014-04-17
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Deep Purple: Made In Japan
Overview: Made in Japan was recorded live over three nights during 15–17 August 1972 at Festival Hall, Osaka and at Budokan, Tokyo, Japan. Four of the tracks come from the album Machine Head which had been released earlier that year. The album was at first seen as somewhat unimportant by the band members, and only Roger Glover and Ian Paice showed up to mix it. The release in the US was delayed, until April 1973, because Warner Bros. wanted to release Who Do We Think We Are first. The three concerts recorded were later released as Live in Japan 3-CD box set (1993). According to the liner notes for that set, unlike many live albums, there are no overdubs or studio additions to the original album.
Genres: Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1972-04-30
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Made in Japan: The Rise of Deep Purple Mk II
Overview: Deep Purple is one of the most influential and important guitar bands in history, one of the godfathers of the heavy metal genre, with over 100 million album sales worldwide to their name. To celebrate the 40th anniversary of Deep Purple's groundbreaking double live album Made in Japan, this documentary explores these recordings and Deep Purple Mark 2, the line-up between 1969 and 1973.
Genres: Music Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2014-09-12
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Led Zeppelin Played Here
Overview: 1969. Man lands on the moon. Half a million strong at Woodstock....and Led Zeppelin perform in the gym of the Wheaton Youth Center in front of 50 confused teenagers. Or did they? Filmmaker Jeff Krulik chronicles an enduring Maryland legend, of the very night this concert was alleged to have taken place, January 20, 1969, during the first Presidential Inauguration of Richard Nixon. Led Zeppelin Played Here presents a mid-Atlantic version of what was happening nationwide as the rock concert industry took shape. Featuring interviews with rock writers, musicians, and fans, and several who claim they were witnessing history that night.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2014-10-11
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Feats First: The Life and Music of Lowell George
Overview: This film, the first ever to chronicle Lowell George's life, music and career, uses archive footage and interviews of and with Lowell and Little Feat, plus contributions from many of those who knew him best, to visually recount the sometimes ecstatic, other times tragic life and times of this maverick genius.
Genres: Music Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2015-03-23
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Stupor Mundi: Livre 1, Rituel de décapitation du pape
Overview: A mental journey - historical, political, musical and metaphysical - in contemporary times, from the Sixties until nowadays.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2016-03-13
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Head
Overview: In this surrealistic and free-form follow-up to the Monkees' television show, the band frolic their way through a series of musical set pieces and vignettes containing humor and anti-establishment social commentary.
Genres: Comedy Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1968-11-06
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Frank Zappa: Music In Review
Overview: Idiosyncratic composer, unique musician and ground-breaking film director…..Frank Zappa packed more into his short lifetime than most men would manage in two. His restless, challenging, creative spirit meant that he never stood still during a career that bought huge critical and commercial success – Zappa sold more than 60 million albums both as a solo artist and with the Mothers of Invention. The life and work of Frank Zappa are examined in this superb new critical review, which features new in-depth interviews with industry insiders, rock journalists and respected critics plus highlights from the songs that re-drew the face of rock music.
Genres: Documentary Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2008-02-05
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A Life of Extravaganza - The Genius Frank Zappa
Overview: The documentary examines Frank Zappa and his music through archive footage, including unique video excerpts from Austrian television archives featuring interviews with Zappa and backstage scenes from the 1970s and 1980s. The entire film is divided into chapters discussing the most important themes in Zappa's life and work.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1993-01-01
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Tom Arnold: The Naked Truth
Overview: Tom sets out to solve world problems, with help from Frank Zappa, Martin Mull, and wife Roseanne.
Genres: Documentary Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1991-04-01
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Amougies (Music Power - European Music Revolution)
Overview: A film by Jerome Laperrousaz, showing the festival at Amougies, October 1969.
Genres: Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1970-05-01
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Yoko Ono: This Is Not Here
Overview: "On John's 31st birthday, Yoko held an art exhibit, "This Is Not Here", at the Everson Museum of Art in Syracuse, N.Y.. The show was taped and aired on U.S. TV on May 11, 1972 as "John and Yoko in Syracuse, New York."
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1972-05-11
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The Rolling Stones - The First 20 Years
Overview: Documentary about the first 20 years of the Rolling Stones with interviews and a lot of rare archive footages all over the world, pictures, TV and live songs 1962-1982 ("Satisfaction", "Jumpin' Jack Flash", "Time Is On My Side" and many more). Hosted by punk star Nina Hagen. Interviews of Mick Jagger, his brother Chris, his father Joe, Keith Richards, Bill Wyman, Ron Wood, Ian Stewart, Bianca Jagger, Paul McCartney, Marianne Faithfull, Rod Stewart, Wendy O'Williams (from the Plasmatics), Diana Ross and Bill Graham (manager).
Genres: Music Documentary
Original Language: de
Release Date: 1982-01-01
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Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice
Overview: With one of the most memorably stunning voices that has ever hit the airwaves, Linda Ronstadt burst onto the 1960s folk rock music scene in her early twenties.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2019-09-06
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Echo in the Canyon
Overview: A look at the roots of the historic music scene in L.A.'s Laurel Canyon featuring the music of iconic music groups such as The Byrds, The Beach Boys, Buffalo Springfield, and The Mamas and the Papas.
Genres: Documentary Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2019-05-24
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Take Your Pills
Overview: In a hypercompetitive world, drugs like Adderall offer students, athletes, coders and others a way to do more -- faster and better. But at what cost?
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2018-03-09
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Larry Flynt for President
Overview: Assembled from never before seen footage shot in 1983, this film documents controversial Hustler magazine publisher Larry Flynt's unlikely bid for the White House after a gunman's bullet left him partially paralyzed.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2021-06-12
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The Amazing Mr. Bickford
Overview: Several pieces of Frank Zappa's music are set against clay animation by Bruce Bickford.
Genres: Animation Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1987-01-01
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Classic Albums: Frank Zappa - Apostrophe (') Over-Nite Sensation
Overview: This episode focuses on Zappa's early 70s albums, Overnight Sensation (1973) and Apostrophy (') (1974). Together they encapsulate Zappa's extraordinary musical diversity and were also the 2 most commercially successful albums that he released in his prolific career. Included are interviews, musical demonstrations, rare archive & home movie footage, plus live performances to tell the story behind the conception and recording of these groundbreaking albums. Extras include additional interviews and demonstrations not included in the broadcast version, 2 full performances from the Roxy in 1973 and Saturday Night Live in 1976, and new full live performance done specially for these Classic Albums.
Genres: Music Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2007-05-01
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Frank Zappa: Does Humor Belong in Music?
Overview: Frank Zappa and his band in a digitally recorded live performance at "The Pier" in New York, NY on August 26, 1984.
Genres: Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1985-08-26
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Night Flight with Frank Zappa, Porn Wars
Overview: Frank Zappa stopped by the Night Flight studios in 1985 to talk about music videos, censorship, the PMRC and what it's like to play in his band.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1985-09-19
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Frank Zappa: Baby Snakes
Overview: Rock artist Frank Zappa hosts a concert in New York City. This movie contains tons of on-stage footage, off-stage footage, and animation.
Genres: Music Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1979-12-21
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Frank Zappa: We Don't Mess Around
Overview: Tracklisting: 1. Pound for a Brown 2. Baby Snakes 3. Deathless Horsie 4. Dancin' Fool 5. Easy Meat 6. Honey Don't You Want A Man Like Me 7. Keep It Greasey 8. Why Does It Hurt When I Pee? 9. Sofa #2 10. Vinnie's Seal Call Fusion Music 11. Bobby Brown 12. Conehead 13. Dead Air/I'm On Duty 14. St. Alphonzo's Pancake Breakfast 15. Father Oblivion 16. Rollo 17. Bamboozled Outro
Genres: Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1978-08-08
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Uncle Meat
Overview: This is a documentary about an unfinished movie. Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention try to film the sci-fi epic "Uncle Meat."
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1987-01-01
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Frank Zappa: The Broadcast Archives
Overview: Frank Zappa - The Broadcast Archives is a collection of live performances from the master of experimental and comedy rock. These Saturday Night Live performances demonstrate the musical genius and the progressive jazz-rock arrangements that were the signature of the phenomenal Frank Zappa. Featured tracks include: Peaches En Regalia I Am The Slime Purple Lagoon Dancing Fool The Meek Shall Inherit Nothing St Alphonso's Pancake Breakfast
Genres: Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2008-04-01
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Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention: In the 1960's
Overview: Here's the most detailed, informative, fascinating Zappa & the Mothers doc yet! Their restless experimentation and agitated social satire come into sharper focus as music journalists and Zappa biographers chime in with Zappa's bandmates and as you watch rare '60s performances and interviews.
Genres: Documentary Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2009-01-20
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Frank Zappa - Live in Paris 1980
Overview: Recorded Live in Paris in 1980, this is a rare recording of Frank Zappa performing at the peak of his career with his incredible backing band, including Ike Willis (guitar/vocals), Ray White (guitar/vocals), Tommy Mars (keys), Arthur Barrow (bass) and David Logeman (drums). It was the year after Zappa released two of his greatest albums - Sheik Yerbouti, and the masterpiece Joe's Garage - and this cracking live show includes the classic Zappa songs Joe's Garage, Dancing Fool, Bobby Brown and The Illinois Enema Bandit. Tracklist : 01. Chunga's Revenge 02. Keep It Greasey 03. Joe's Garage 04. Why Does It Hurt When I Pee? 05. Dancin 'Fool 06. Bobby Brown 07. Ms Pinky 08. Illinois Enema Bandit
Genres: Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2008-06-12
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The Big T.N.T. Show
Overview: Live performances by some of the top rock-and-roll acts of the mid 60s. Includes Ray Charles, The Byrds, Joan Baez, Ike and Tina Turner, Donovan, The Lovin' Spoonful, and several more.
Genres: Music Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1965-12-22
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Kalvøyafestivalen - 50 år siden første riff
Overview: In 1971, the Kalvøya adventure started with shows, jazz and folk rock and the festival developed into "The mother of all Norwegian festivals".
Genres: Music Documentary
Original Language: no
Release Date: 2021-12-13
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The Art of Dissent
Overview: "The Art of Dissent" celebrates the resilience and power of artistic engagement in Czechoslovakia before and after the 1968 Soviet-led invasion. The documentary's main protagonists - Václav Havel, banned singer Marta Kubisová, and the underground rock group the Plastic People of the Universe (PPU) - became the most recognizable dissidents during the 1970-80s. Havel bridged the disparate clusters of individuals and fused the literary, musical, political, and philosophical nonviolent elements into a hybrid network that eventually toppled the totalitarian regime in 1989.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2021-10-05
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The Velvet Underground
Overview: Experience the iconic rock band's legacy in the first major documentary to tell their story. Directed with the era’s avant-garde spirit by Todd Haynes, this kaleidoscopic oral history combines exclusive interviews with dazzling archival footage.
Genres: Documentary Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2021-10-15
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Stupor Mundi: Livre 2, Les Hommes qui mangèrent la montagne
Overview: A mental journey - historical, political, musical and metaphysical - in contemporary times, from the Sixties until nowadays.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2016-03-13
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Manson: Music From an Unsound Mind
Overview: The untold story of Charles Manson's obsession to become a rock star, his rise in the LA music scene, the celebrities who championed his music, his tragic friendship with The Beach Boys' Dennis Wilson and his descent into violence and chaos once his dreams fell apart.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2019-08-13
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Stupor Mundi: Book 3, The Most Dangerous Encounter
Overview: The 1990s to the present, through the main wars of the last decades - from Iraq to Libya - but also the influence of the East on modern Western musicians (Eyvind Kang, Jessika Kenney, Trey Spruance)
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: fr
Release Date: 2019-09-19
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Hart & Soul - The Hart Family Anthology
Overview: Hart & Soul: The Hart Family Anthology is a documentary produced and released by WWE Home Video in collaboration with Hart family members. The DVD chronicles the lineage of the Hart family beginning with the biography of patriarch Stu Hart. It gives a brief accounting of the lives of all twelve Hart children as well as parents Stu and Helen growing up in Calgary. It describes the deaths of Stu, Helen, Dean, Matthew, Owen, Brian Pillman and Davey Boy Smith with recollections from their loved ones. The DVD concludes with a feature on the Hart Dynasty and their future in WWE.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2010-04-06
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An American Dissident: un tributo a Frank Zappa
Overview: An American Dissident: un tributo a Frank Zappa is an Italian documentary that aired on the Videomusic channel on January 7, 1994. It includes footage from Zappa's Universe, Video From Hell, Does Humor Belong In Music?, Baby Snakes, The True Story Of 200 Motels, The Late Show, Zappa's May 17, 1988 show at Palacio de Deportes in Barcelona, Spain, The Dub Room Special, various other interviews and performances.
Genres: Documentary Music
Original Language: it
Release Date: 1994-01-07
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Frank Zappa: The Dub Room Special!
Overview: Produced by Frank Zappa in 1982, The Dub Room Special combines footage from a performance at the KCET studios in Los Angeles on August 27, 1974, a concert performed at The Palladium, NYC on October 31, 1981, some clay animation by Bruce Bickford, and several interviews. Previously only available through mail-order, it was made widely available on DVD on October 17, 2005.
Genres: Music Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1982-06-01
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The True Story of Frank Zappa's 200 Motels
Overview: A one-hour documentary on the making of Frank Zappa's bizarre 1971 comic musical. Vintage private footage from Frank's personal archives plus behind-the-scenes of the actual shooting and recording. With Ringo Starr, Theodore Bikel, Keith Moon and such songs as "Sleeping in a Jar," and "Strictly Genteel." The inside history of the first feature-length film to be shot on video in 6 days.
Genres: Documentary Comedy Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1988-01-01
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Frank Zappa: A Token of His Extreme
Overview: From "The Dub Room Special": 1.Approximate (3:56) 2.Cosmik Debris (5:14) 3.Room Service (5:58) Not For Broadcast 4.Stinkfoot (5:44) 5.Inca Roads (9:55) 6.Pygmy Twylyte (3:53) 7.Room Service (5:18) Song Selection 8.Dog Meat (4:10) - Dog Breath and Uncle Meat 9.More Trouble Every Day (13:07) 10.Montana (4:50) 11.George Duke Solo (7:40) 12.Florentine Pogen (8:15) 13.Oh No (4:54) 14.Pygmy Twylyte (9:46) 15.Stinkfoot (8:48) 16.Inca Roads (8:41)
Genres: Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2005-08-02
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Frank Zappa - John, Dan And Me
Overview: 1976/12/12 tv-show "saturday night live" opening credits i'm the slime purple lagoon the killer trees peaches en regalia closing credits 1978/10/21 tv-show "saturday night live" opening credits dancing fool the coneheads at home the meek shall inherit nothing night on freak mountain st.alphonzo / rollo closing credits 1973/08/21 concert stockholm montana dupree's paradise farther oblivion cosmik debris
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2004-01-01
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Rock this Town
Overview: An insider’s look into the gritty reality of building the local live music scene, Rock This Town brings to life the exciting history of rock music concerts in KW from the 1960s & ‘70s. Rock stars come and go but live music is here to stay!
Genres: Documentary Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2022-03-24
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Frank Zappa: A Token Of His Extreme
Overview: Frank Zappa: A Token of his Extreme is the 1974 television special recorded at Kcet in Hollywood that was produced by Zappa and aired only in France and Switzerland. The program, as thoroughly tweezed and produced by Zappa for his own Honker Home Video label, includes the following musical performances by Zappa and his band: T”he Dog Breath Variations/ Uncle Meat,” “Montana,” “Florentine Pogen,” “Stink-Foot,” “Pygmy Twylyte,” “Room Service,” “Inca Roads,” “Oh No,” Son of Orange County,” “More Trouble Every Day” and “A Token of My Extreme.” In the words of Zappa himself as he said it on The Mike Douglas Show in 1976, “This is put together with my own money and my own time and it’s been offered to television networks and to syndication and it has been steadfastly rejected by the American television industry.
Genres: Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2013-06-03
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Classic Albums: Frank Zappa & The Mothers Of Invention - Freak Out!
Overview: This programme tells the story behind the conception, recording and release of this groundbreaking album. By use of interviews, musical demonstration, performance, archive footage and returning to the multi tracks with Ahmet Zappa and Joe Travers we discover how Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention created the album with the help of legendary African- American producer Tom Wilson.
Genres: Documentary Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2021-10-08
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Frank Zappa: Live in Barcelona
Overview: Frank Zappa's May 17, 1988 concert performance was captured and broadcast by Televisión Española. None of the song performances would make it onto albums showcasing this iteration of Zappa's band, his last touring rock group. The broadcast itself would not be used by Zappa either, as the television station presented him with a faulty VHS instead of the master tape. This concert video lives on only as a bootleg.
Genres: Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1988-01-01
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Frank Zappa: Peefeeyatko
Overview: For the past ten years Zappa in composing has turned away from Rock and Roll music - for which he first became famous - and has been working on new, contemporary, orchestral electronic music; in solitude and beyond any commercial conventions or commitments. It is the first time that Zappa has allowed a film crew to study him during compositional work, actually filming the first moments of a new compositional process. By contrast, in a staged interview Zappa gives comments on music. This film seeks to reveal the sensetivities of Zappa's personality and character also beyond narrative content.
Genres: Documentary Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1991-01-01
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All My Loving
Overview: Originally a BBC documentary, this film by Tony Palmer about the 1960's music scene was later released as a standalone DVD by the BFI
Genres: Documentary Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1968-11-03
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Cocaine Blues
Overview: A look at the problems associated with cocaine use, including the toll it takes, not only on the users themselves but on society in general.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1983-01-02
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Porridge and kerosene
Overview: Mats Öberg, born 1971 in Umeå, Sweden, has been living in Stockholm for many years, where he moved when he entered the Royal Academy of Music, where for two and a half years he studied individual music and, among other things, studied with the pianist Stefan Nilsson. Frank Zappa is one of Mats Öberg's idols. Together with drummer Morgan Ågren, Mats formed the group Zappatetoot early on, which only played Zappa covers. Then when Frank Zappa played in Stockholm in 1988, Mats and Morgon had the opportunity to meet him and also sit in the band. It was the beginning of a continued collaboration which meant that they both got to participate in the projects Zappa's Universe and Zappa at Lincoln Center in 1993.
Genres: Documentary Music
Original Language: sv
Release Date: 1997-03-18
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The Male Swagger
Overview: Film about male swagger.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date:
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The Revenge of the Dead Indians
Overview: This is a full-length documentary honoring the life and work of American composer and artist John Cage. Cage is considered one of the most influential composers of the 20th century. This documentary features interviews with various personalities from different fields as they introduce us to the life and work of this great American artist.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1993-01-01
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Frank Zappa & the Mothers of Invention - The Lost Broadcast: The Beat Club '68
Overview: This DVD contains a filmed rehearsal of Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention at the legendary Beat Club in Bremen, Germany, on 6th October 1968. The music is largely one long improvisatory continuous performance rather than a run-through of their greatest hits, but is punctuated by Zappa directing the band to play the opening themes of some of his more well-known pieces.
Genres: Music Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2016-01-01
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Steve Vai - His First 30 Years: The Documentary
Overview: This is the first documentary covering Steve Vai's life from 1960 to 1990. (Co-written by Steve Vai.) Cover Vai's life growing up all the way until 1990's Passion and Warfare album.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2022-09-07
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Your vote
Overview: Educational film convincing kids to vote, hosted by Frank Zappa.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1991-01-01
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From Straight to Bizarre
Overview: Documentary about the rise and fall of Frank Zappa's record labels, Bizarre and Straight which featured a collection of acts that included: Alice Cooper, The GTOs, and Wild Man Fischer.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2012-02-21
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The Wrecking Crew
Overview: A celebration of the musical work of a group of session musicians known as "The Wrecking Crew." a band that provided back-up instrumentals to such legendary recording artists as Frank Sinatra, The Beach Boys, and Bing Crosby.
Genres: Music Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2008-03-11
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Frank Zappa & The Mothers: Roxy: The Movie
Overview: A Frank Zappa show goes way beyond a mere concert – it is an experience…a flight of improvisation, musicianship, and cerebral cynicism. An unparalleled Composer and Guitarist, Zappa redefined rock n roll paradigms by introducing into the mix his favorite influences from classical music, jazz, blues, doowop, traditional and non-traditional music. And he did so with unparalleled humor and audacity. But it was the music itself that influenced generations of musicians and, quite frankly, blew minds. Roxy: The Movie, filmed over three nights in December 1973, at the Roxy Theatre in Hollywood, CA, is a powerful display of this experience, and reveals what made him such a pioneering musical revolutionary.
Genres: Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2015-09-10
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Eat That Question: Frank Zappa in His Own Words
Overview: Utilizing potent TV interviews and many forgotten performances from his 30-year career, we are immersed into Frank Zappa’s world while experiencing two distinct facets of his complex character. At once Zappa was both a charismatic composer who reveled in the joy of performing and, in the next moment, a fiercely intelligent and brutally honest interviewee whose convictions only got stronger as his career ascended.
Genres: Music Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2016-05-03
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Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention: Live at Whisky a Go Go 1968
Overview: Shot on July 23, 1968, this historical 16mm footage of Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention at Whisky a Go Go in West Hollywood, CA has been newly restored from the Vault! The film has been newly synced to the 2023 mixes, marking the first time it's ever been seen with audio. Frank Zappa never had the opportunity to see this footage synced to the music. Now you do. The film was shot in increments and features silent performance footage of The Mothers along with scenes involving The Freaks and the premier of The GTO's (Girls Together Outrageously). In the audience were Flo & Eddie (The Turtles), John Mayall, Elliot Ingber (The Fraternity Of Man), Alice Cooper and members of the Rolling Stones.
Genres: Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2024-06-21
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Frank Zappa
Overview: The Documentary centers around Zappa at home, and on Tour. The amazing thing is that Zappa allowed a guy with a camera to film the band at the Fillmore West w/ Flo and Eddie. There are times when the camera man seems to be on the stage. The performance is recorded from only one camera angle. There are only 4-5 songs presented here.....and Zappa referring to the Fillmore West as the ‘Psychedelic Dungeon’ is priceless………..It is a great piece of history.
Genres: Documentary Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1971-02-11
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Frank Zappa: A Pioneer of the Future of Music
Overview: Frank Scheffer's (collage like) documentary on the American composer and rock guitarist Frank Zappa, as broadcast by VPRO in the Netherlands April 22,2007. Most of what’s on here is seen before, particularly in Roelof Kier’s 1971 documentary and/or Scheffer’s own documentary “A present day composer refuses to die”. But there is some new stuff too, particularly interviews with Denny Walley, Haskell Wekler, Elliot Ingber and Bruce Fowler.
Genres: Music Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2007-04-22
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The Boy Who Left Home to Find Out About the Shivers
Overview: An intelligent, fearless boy living in a superstitious Transylvanian village goes out into the world to figure out what everyone else is afraid of, "the shivers." A king hires him to rid his castle of ghosts and evil spirits, expecting him to die like all who have tried before him, but the boy is more fearless than he could have known.
Genres: Horror Fantasy Family TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1984-09-17
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The Artist Formerly Known As Captain Beefheart
Overview: Elaine Shepherd’s classic BBC documentary, introduced and narrated by John Peel. Completely wonderful, a 50 minute joy: reviews, articles, blog posts, etc. relating to The Artist Formerly Known As Captain Beefheart.
Genres: Music Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1997-08-19
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You Are What You Eat
Overview: A montage of the weird, a freak-out film that appeared when the expression was in fashion and in flower, along with the flower people. The film was one of the first exponents of the mobile camera-rock track-optical effect school of filmmaking, and it is much a document as it is a documentary. A repellent and fascinating depiction of the Sunset Strip in Hollywood, along with Haight-Ashbury in San Francisco and the East Village in New York. Tiny Tim amounts to something resembling a recurring motif and narrator.
Genres: Music Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1968-09-24
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Marian Briozzo
Overview: Influential animator, Hungarian immigrant and lifelong Frank Zappa enthusiast Gábor Csupó recounts his chance meeting and eventual friendship with the musician himself.
Genres: Music Animation
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2018-04-19
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Mondo Hollywood
Overview: Long considered a cult classic, "Mondo Hollywood" captures the underside of Hollywood by documenting a moment in time (1965-67), when an inquisitive trust in the unknown was paramount, hope for the future was tangible and life was worth living on the fringe. An interior monologue narrative approach is used throughout the film, where each principal person shown not only decided on what they wanted to be filmed doing, but also narrated their own scenes. The film opens with Gypsy Boots (the original hippie vegan - desert hopping blender salesman), and stripper Jennie Lee, working out 'Watusi-style' beneath the 'Hollywood' sign -- leading into the 'sustainable community' insight of Lewis Beach Marvin III, the S&H Green Stamp heir, who lived in a $10 a month garage while owning a mountain retreat in Malibu.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1967-06-30
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Služební cesta podporučíka Svěráka
Overview:
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: cs
Release Date: 1989-01-01
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The Yellow Shark
Overview: This live recording was culled from seven September 1992 concerts given in Vienna, Berlin, and Frankfurt by the Ensemble Modern, a Frankfurt-based chamber orchestra that performs only contemporary music. Composed and conducted by Frank Zappa.
Genres: Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1992-09-17
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Decade
Overview: Interviews with personalities including John Mellencamp, Spike Lee, Lou Reed, Roseanne Barr, David Byrne, George Michael and more, as they reflect on the 1980s.
Genres: Documentary Music History
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1989-12-09
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Derailroaded
Overview: A documentary on the life and music of manic-depressive, paranoid-schizophrenic cult music icon Wild Man Fischer.
Genres: Documentary Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2005-03-01
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Uncle Howard
Overview: When Howard Brookner lost his life to AIDS in 1989, the 35-year-old director had completed two feature documentaries and was in post-production on his narrative debut, Bloodhounds of Broadway. Twenty-five years later, his nephew, Aaron, sets out on a quest to find the lost negative of Burroughs: The Movie, his uncle's critically-acclaimed portrait of legendary author William S. Burroughs. When Aaron uncovers Howard's extensive archive in Burroughs’ bunker, it not only revives the film for a new generation, but also opens a vibrant window on New York City’s creative culture from the 1970s and ‘80s, and inspires a wide-ranging exploration of his beloved uncle's legacy.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2017-03-10
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Frank Zappa: The Freak Out List
Overview: On the liner notes to Freak Out!, the 1967 debut album by Zappa's original band the Mothers of Invention, Zappa listed some seventy-two names on the liner notes and cited them as influences. The Freak Out List intends to explore who these artists are and what influence they had on Zappa's music. This listing encompasses all sorts of music, from classical composer Edgar Varese to R&B star Johnny "Guitar" Watson to jazzman Eric Dolphy to flamenco guitarist Sabicas. You can hear for instance, how the esoteric classical influence of Varese shaped Zappa's long-form epics like "Lumpy Gravy" or how Dolphy's instrumental prowess led Zappa to incorporate jazz-fusion on albums like Weasels Ripped My Flesh! (1970), which even included a song titled "The Eric Dolphy Memorial Barbecue." Interviews with various Zappa biographers and music historians as well as musicians George Duke, Ian Underwood, and Don Preston, all of whom played in the Mothers at one time or another, help add additional context.
Genres: Documentary Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2010-04-19
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Zappa
Overview: With the help of more than 10,000 dedicated Zappa fans, this is the long-awaited definitive documentary project of Alex Winter documenting the life and career of enigmatic groundbreaking rock star Frank Zappa. Alex also utilizes in this picture thousands of hours of painstakingly digitized videos, photos, audio, writing, and everything in between from Zappa's private archives. These chronicles have never been brought to a public audience before, until now.
Genres: Music Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2020-11-27
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Frank Zappa - Over-Nite Sensation
Overview:
Genres: Music
Original Language: fr
Release Date: 1973-09-01
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Cover Your Ears
Overview: When does art become obscenity? Cover Your Ears takes a close look at this question through the lens of the past 100 years of music and the ever-evolving discussion of legal and moral lines in the industry
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2023-05-08
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Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music
Overview: Untold stories behind the culture-defining and newsmaking musical performances, sketches and cameos of the past 50 years.
Genres: Music Documentary TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2025-01-27
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Pražákům, těm je hej
Overview: The story begins in 1984 in Prague, Czechoslovakia, few years before the end of Communist era. The band Pražský výběr (Prague's selection) has just received the news thier 5-year ban has expired and they are alowed to perform once again. This half fantasy half document about the band would draw the atmosphere of middle european late Communist era and the eufory of it's end.
Genres: Music Documentary Drama
Original Language: cs
Release Date: 1991-04-01
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Pink Floyd: Amougies Pop Festival
Overview: Actuel Festival, Mont de lnclus, Amougies, Belgium 25 October, 1969, was restored from The Early Years 1965-1972 - Vol. 3 1969 Dramatis/ation Features Frank Zappa
Genres: Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1970-05-01
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Frank Zappa, John Lennon & Yoko Ono: At Fillmore East
Overview: Video of the famous performance released by both Zappa and Lennon
Genres: Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1971-06-06
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Frank Zappa: Opopoppa Stockholm, Sweden
Overview: TV concert from Zappa, footage from the warm-up was also tapped
Genres: Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1973-09-10
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Frank Zappa: Roxy, 1973
Overview: On April 1, 2007, Zappa.com unveiled a redesigned website, which included the 30-minute segment from the Roxy performances, which had been used at the Zappa Plays Zappa concerts, on its new videos page. The clip for "Montana" was included as a bonus feature of the Classic Albums: Apostrophe(')/Over-Nite Sensation DVD, which was released on May 1, 2007. Neither song was included in ROXY the Movie
Genres: Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2007-04-01
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Frank Zappa: Cheaper Than Cheep
Overview: The 1974 unreleased made-for-TV concert movie ‘Cheaper Than Cheep’ is finally being released 50 years later! This never-before-heard-or-seen two-hour concert reveals the most intimate performance ever captured from the 1974 Mothers line-up, direct from the lovingly resurrected and restored original vault audio and videotape masters.
Genres: Documentary Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2025-05-09
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