Guitarist Frank Zappa was best known for his intricate brand of rock music, coupled with a sardonic social commentary. Not as well known is the classical side of his composing. This month, the ...

Gateway Acts is an ongoing series on Backbeat in which we examine the music that served as an entry point for our burgeoning musical obsessions, a gateway drug that tuned us in and turned us on. Today ...

The now common commingling of rock, jazz, and classical streams in American composition was pioneered by Frank Zappa (1940-1993). A virtuoso guitarist, an indefatigable bandleader, a tenacious ...

When I first heard this song, it reminded me of Frank Zappa. (SOUNDBITE OF DWEEZIL ZAPPA SONG, "FUNKY 15") MCEVERS: That kind of weird, unpredictable prog rock the late musician is known for. The song ...

A vast amount of percussion formed a bric-a-brac horseshoe around the Festival Hall’s wide stage, and was called upon to make a great deal of noise at times. A rock band and multiple synths and ...

NPR's Kelly McEvers talks with musician Dweezil Zappa, son of Frank Zappa, about his new album, Via Zammata, and his father's influence on his music. When I first heard this song, it reminded me of ...