Frank Vincent Zappa(December 21, 1940 - December 4, 1993) was an American composer, guitarist, singer and satirist. In his 33-year musical career, Zappa proved to be one of the most prolific musician-composers of his era, releasing over 75 albums (including live performances) during his lifetime, almost all of which consisted of original compositions. He was also a renowned electric guitarist and a gifted producer-engineer who self-produced almost every recording he made after his 1966 debut. His work spanned virtually every contemporary musical genre (including avant-garde, rock, doo-wop, jazz, jazz fusionand contemporary classical), and was often noted for its blend of high art, rock opera, absurdity, scatological humor, and for its hilariously caustic social satire. He was also noted as a spotter of talent and his various groups included such musical luminaries as Lowell George, Jean-Luc Ponty, Terry Bozzio, Chad Wackerman, George Duke, Mike Keneally, Adrian Belewand Steve Vaias well as giving the lord of shock rock, Alice Cooper, his first break in music.
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