by Calvin Krogh
Saturday, Feb. 23, 2002 at 2:27 AM
calvinkrogh@hotmail.com
Frank Zappa, one of the greatest American artists of the 20th century. Sadly neglected by everybody. You should listen to what he had to say!
Frank Zappa died in 1993 from prostate cancer. Not only was he a musical genious, but he was also an important advocate for freedom and democracy. All through his career he fought against stupidity and ignorance. His criticism of the US government (and other types of "evil" establishment) was sharp and went on for almost 30 years. During the cold war, the underground movement i Czechoslovakia viewed Zappa as an icon - a symbol of freedom and democracy. In the United States however, he was seen as a menace and a troublemaker. The last period of his rock'n roll career was coloured by Zappas vendetta against right wing extremists and other anti-intellectual, anti-democracy, anti-culture elements. He got a lot of media coverage for his fight against the PMRC (Parents Music Resource Centre), an organization formed by the wifes of US Senators and fronted by Al Gore's wife Tipper.
America should listen to what Zappa had to say, especially now, as the US government sets out to kill the last remnants of freedom, justice and democracy in its alledged "War on Terror".
I bring you now: 2 quotes from interviews + the lyrics of a song from Zappas classic album 'We're Only In It For The Money'(1968).
"The illusion of freedom will continue as long as it's profitable to continue the illusion. At the point where the illusion becomes too expensive to maintain, they will just take down the scenery, they will pull back the curtains, they will move the tables and chairs out of the way, and you will see the brick wall at the back of the theatre."
"Americans like to talk about (or be told about) Democracy but, when put to the test, usually find it to be an 'inconvenience.' We have opted instead for an authoritarian system disguised as a Democracy. We pay through the nose for an enormous joke-of-a-government, let it push us around, and then wonder how all those assholes got in there."
What's The Ugliest Part of Your Body?
What's the ugliest
Part of your body?
What's the ugliest
Part of your body?
Some say your nose
Some say your toes
But I think it's
YOUR MIND
I think it's your mind, woo woo
ALL YOUR CHILDREN ARE POOR
UNFORTUNATE VICTIMS OF
SYSTEMS BEYOND THEIR
CONTROL
A PLAGUE UPON YOUR
IGNORANCE & THE GRAY
DESPAIR OF YOUR UGLY LIFE
Where did Annie go
Whe she went to town?
Who are all those creeps
That she brings around?
ALL YOUR CHILDREN ARE POOR
UNFORTUNATE VICTIMS OF LIES
YOU BELIEVE
A PLAGUE UPON YOUR
IGNORANCE THAT KEEPS
THE YOUNG FROM THE TRUTH
THEY DESERVE...