<![CDATA[ Latest from Guitar World in Frank-zappa ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/tag/frank-zappa Wed, 20 May 2026 15:52:48 +0000 en <![CDATA[ “A cherished figure within the Zappa community, where fans embraced him not only for his talent but for his generosity”: Ike Willis, long-time guitarist and vocalist with Frank Zappa, dies aged 70 ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/guitarists/ike-willis-guitarist-and-vocalist-with-frank-zappa-dies-aged-70 4Ts48ZnPyXbSSY3bTW7BQQ Wed, 20 May 2026 15:52:48 +0000 <![CDATA[ “It became an overnight sensation when Stevie Wonder used the effect”: Loved by Frank Zappa, Bootsy Collins, Steve Vai and more, how the Mu-Tron III became a vintage pedalboard icon ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/gear/guitar-pedals/mu-tron-iii qk3XXyLQZ7W6BA3qZU5gPS Mon, 09 Feb 2026 10:20:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ “There was a certain amount of desperation in Frank returning my call and saying, ‘I don't believe you, but get over here and prove it'”: How Mike Keneally landed the Frank Zappa gig – after cold-calling his guitar hero ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/guitarists/how-mike-keneally-got-the-frank-zappa-gig jGnL5RRZk3s33qsZtYZKm7 Fri, 05 Dec 2025 15:35:37 +0000 Fri, 05 Dec 2025 17:02:27 +0000 <![CDATA[ “A true artifact of musical genius”: Frank Zappa’s ‘Baby Snakes’ SG is heading to auction for the first time – and expected to sell for half a million dollars ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/gear/electric-guitars/frank-zappa-baby-snakes-sg-auction X3TqY6n4PYGcR74pFSWHC4 Mon, 13 Oct 2025 15:34:18 +0000 Tue, 28 Oct 2025 15:49:11 +0000 <![CDATA[ “Steve Vai walked me through the process – he’s had it done twice. He introduced me to one of the best surgeons in the US”: Adrian Belew on his carpal tunnel fears and recovery, working with Vai and Frank Zappa, and his next musical adventure ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/guitarists/adrian-belew-beat-live ibqr5QfDSRnu2SCGjBnRiF Tue, 12 Aug 2025 10:55:40 +0000 Tue, 19 Aug 2025 14:53:19 +0000 <![CDATA[ “The year that I spent with Frank was the first and only time that I’ve ever had serious instruction”: Adrian Belew reflects on his game-changing year with Frank Zappa – and what the avant-garde musician taught him about music and the business ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/guitarists/adrian-belew-reflects-on-his-game-changing-year-with-frank-zappa c5jaFTvWUTXUVTGrfR9W2C Fri, 08 Aug 2025 11:24:29 +0000 Wed, 13 Aug 2025 15:27:36 +0000 <![CDATA[ “Bass players aren't supposed to have ideas. If you're a bass player in a rock band, you are by definition a moron”: He was Zappa’s bassist and remains a low-end enigma – but Scott Thunes has never held back on his opinions ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/bassists/scott-thunes-frank-zappa oWujxib7aMx2FCwMLGGHJR Sat, 24 May 2025 11:04:00 +0000 Tue, 10 Jun 2025 11:02:09 +0000 <![CDATA[ “I would say he’s underrated in the echelons of guitar. Honestly, there’s no-one close”: Steve Vai reveals what it’s like to work side by side with fellow Frank Zappa alum Adrian Belew on the BEAT tour ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/guitarists/steve-vai-reveals-what-it-is-like-to-work-with-adrian-belew-on-the-beat-tour MzXV2AkptTYKfu2eaYZmu Tue, 18 Feb 2025 17:28:32 +0000 Mon, 24 Feb 2025 14:21:43 +0000 <![CDATA[ “He stuck his head out and said, ‘Can you give me a ride home?’ Next thing I know, I’m driving Frank Zappa to Laurel Canyon”: When cult guitar hero Rob Fetters went to pick Adrian Belew up from a Zappa rehearsal – and ended up giving his idol a lift ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/guitarists/rob-fetters-adrian-belew-frank-zappa-lift-home SREt6DmaX286A335MBSSCj Sat, 21 Dec 2024 11:20:00 +0000 Mon, 23 Dec 2024 14:56:43 +0000 <![CDATA[ “Frank asked me to transcribe St Alfonzo’s Pancake Breakfast after I told him I’d learned Inca Roads by ear. Maybe it was a challenge to see if I was bluffing!” When bassist Arthur Barrow survived an audition for guitar genius Frank Zappa ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/bassists/arthur-barrow-frank-zappa-audition wrGcNmHQhks3ErF5iD7jgN Sat, 02 Nov 2024 14:21:00 +0000 Fri, 06 Dec 2024 16:20:27 +0000 <![CDATA[ “That song has a Led Zeppelin-meets-Frank-Zappa unison riff up front, but I tried to imagine what Krist Novoselic might play”: Fusion bass great Jimmy Haslip breaks down his 2001 project with Robben Ford and Vinnie Colaiuta ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/features/jimmy-haslip-on-his-project-with-robben-ford-vinnie-colaiuta vPbQAHgTiBtovuBwjGTtiT Wed, 07 Aug 2024 10:50:44 +0000 Wed, 07 Aug 2024 10:52:08 +0000 <![CDATA[ “He was, ‘I don't even understand how you're playing. I can never play that.’ It was a total role reversal”: Dweezil Zappa reveals the one Frank Zappa song that stumped Eddie Van Halen ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/news/dweezil-zappa-reveals-the-one-frank-zappa-song-that-stumped-eddie-van-halen bgfNjBqgoyuKcyVbTjv6bJ Thu, 01 Aug 2024 15:10:47 +0000 Mon, 02 Sep 2024 09:03:48 +0000 <![CDATA[ “We set up Eric and Duane in the studio, so they were face-to-face about two feet apart. They could literally touch each other’s guitars if they wanted to”: The Albert Brothers on recording Hendrix, Clapton, the Allman Brothers – and that Layla session ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/features/albert-brothers-hendrix-zappa-clapton-allman-brothers-sessions M2RcAvw8is4WPWtrjWo6ff Wed, 17 Jul 2024 16:11:22 +0000 Fri, 21 Mar 2025 15:21:52 +0000 <![CDATA[ “He had me play a couple of odd muted things and groove for a while, and then he said ‘OK, you're it’”: Esteemed bassist Tom Fowler, best known for his work with Frank Zappa, has died aged 73 ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/news/frank-zappa-bassist-tom-fowler-dies-aged-73 bccmNwdRF2zq32z7qCsd8S Mon, 08 Jul 2024 12:04:19 +0000 Fri, 20 Sep 2024 15:55:14 +0000 <![CDATA[ “David Bowie and Brian Eno used to laugh at me, saying: ‘You’re not supposed to be able to play that!’” Adrian Belew on Frank Zappa’s lessons, Robert Fripp’s synth guitar, and what’s coming up with Steve Vai ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/features/adrian-belew-beat Gt8kbAY8s8k5gT96D5vAsR Tue, 14 May 2024 11:56:02 +0000 Thu, 13 Jun 2024 09:58:23 +0000 <![CDATA[ He's one of the greatest slide guitarists in rock history – now a tribute album to Little Feat and Mothers of Invention guitarist Lowell George is on the way ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/news/lowell-george-little-feat-mothers-of-invention-tribute-album ynjLkMZX94UpvFAXp65G46 Thu, 18 Apr 2024 11:53:34 +0000 Tue, 30 Apr 2024 10:03:26 +0000 <![CDATA[ “This is an intensely crafted ‘Super Guitar’ with a separate piezo output…”: Dweezil Zappa’s huge gear auction is full of utterly unique guitars, including his Hot Rats Gibson Les Paul, a Madonna-clad Jackson and a true one-off custom PRS ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/news/dweezil-zappa-guitar-auction-hot-rats-les-paul CDyLgVFRTMpnKiLotiMddK Thu, 04 Apr 2024 11:29:31 +0000 Fri, 21 Mar 2025 15:20:41 +0000 <![CDATA[ “Steve Vai tried to school me on string bending, but you just don't do that on bass!” Pete Griffin reflects on his time with Steve Vai, and his latest solo EP ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/features/pete-griffin-on-his-time-with-steve-vai R8sjehoJhY99kbDNyXxAJj Fri, 03 Nov 2023 16:16:13 +0000 Sat, 04 Nov 2023 18:52:01 +0000 <![CDATA[ How to solo using compound time – the secret behind some of Frank Zappa and Robben Ford's most out-there leads ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/lessons/solo-in-compound-time-frank-zappa-robben-ford ZDpHZTVnt5WKFkQMCdRG8h Wed, 03 May 2023 10:59:28 +0000 Wed, 03 May 2023 11:02:33 +0000 <![CDATA[ Two previously unreleased Frank Zappa concerts from 1980 set for release later this year ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/news/frank-zappa-1980-concert-releases dsQeyVxBmCNmKPb8ccHXt6 Thu, 12 Jan 2023 14:18:11 +0000 <![CDATA[ Steve Vai on how Frank Zappa inspired him to design the Ibanez JEM – and why the Japanese guitar builder succeeded where others failed ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/features/steve-vai-ibanez-jem-design 9RPSVXyCq3kMDCYKAGKmCP Thu, 31 Mar 2022 11:36:06 +0000 Tue, 08 Apr 2025 11:07:43 +0000 <![CDATA[ When Frank Zappa shut up ’n’ stopped playing guitar ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/features/when-frank-zappa-shut-up-n-stopped-playing-guitar ZwTdP3Rv3Wizi6FLd2vDWV Thu, 10 Mar 2022 12:36:17 +0000 Sun, 03 Apr 2022 14:40:57 +0000 <![CDATA[ Frank Zappa and The Mothers' legendary 1971 Fillmore East shows to be released in their entirety in mammoth new eight-disc box set ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/news/frank-zappa-the-mothers-1971-box eJDKRScubtcNu5fjh3C98b Fri, 14 Jan 2022 21:43:24 +0000 <![CDATA[ 10 essential Gibson SG albums ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/features/10-essential-gibson-sg-albums fHozyiN4vNU3vYKRsDdXnJ Fri, 19 Nov 2021 19:17:36 +0000 <![CDATA[ Frank Zappa: ”I think my playing is probably more derived from folk music – Middle Eastern music, Indian music, stuff like that” ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/features/frank-zappa-1993-interview yhrdyrWDFRwnnvf2nujPVA Wed, 18 Aug 2021 16:06:59 +0000 Wed, 18 Aug 2021 16:58:30 +0000 <![CDATA[ Steve Vai reflects on working with Frank Zappa: "If you didn’t have the goods, you didn’t last. Frank expected everybody to rise to the occasion" ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/features/steve-vai-frank-zappa mFtfRiftzxi4P8nJGckkmX Wed, 04 Aug 2021 12:00:34 +0000 Wed, 04 Aug 2021 14:43:48 +0000 <![CDATA[ Mike Keneally on working with Frank Zappa: “My mind was being blown on a daily basis” ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/features/mike-keneally-frank-zappa wrqL4CVoTHLTczrgQtiWMJ Wed, 14 Jul 2021 15:32:52 +0000 Wed, 14 Jul 2021 16:25:39 +0000 <![CDATA[ Alex Winter takes us behind the scenes of his extensive Frank Zappa documentary, Zappa ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/features/alex-winter-zappa 3yMJTVpMjBavRSzMtDDqvb Mon, 28 Jun 2021 10:21:13 +0000 Mon, 28 Jun 2021 16:32:23 +0000 <![CDATA[ Weezer fan the flames of rock 'n' roll in Australian Guitar #143, out today ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/news/weezer-fan-the-flames-of-rock-n-roll-in-australian-guitar-143-out-today TtmPpy7uZMZEVWNhpGWNoC Sun, 30 May 2021 15:00:07 +0000 Sat, 14 Aug 2021 04:32:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ Frank Zappa's last ever US show set for release as a live album ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/news/frank-zappas-last-ever-us-show-set-for-release-as-a-live-album fwehDS58sThfGRUDxAA8Vb Mon, 26 Apr 2021 16:02:53 +0000 <![CDATA[ Frank Zappa once told Steve Vai his guitar tone sounded “like an electric ham sandwich” ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/news/frank-zappa-once-told-steve-vai-his-guitar-tone-sounded-like-an-electric-ham-sandwich qjwHg69CKKxjKUQZgYkitU Tue, 23 Feb 2021 10:55:34 +0000 <![CDATA[ The life and times of Frank Zappa – composer, satirist and towering giant of the electric guitar ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/features/the-life-and-times-of-frank-zappa hrJsTuK8fwhpLjZbjbBYX8 Mon, 21 Dec 2020 17:19:34 +0000 Mon, 21 Dec 2020 17:22:24 +0000 <![CDATA[ Watch the official trailer for Zappa, the first all-access documentary on Frank Zappa’s life and career ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/news/watch-the-official-trailer-for-zappa-the-first-all-access-documentary-on-frank-zappas-life-and-career iv4u3fkqbWnmog2moiwfQk Thu, 29 Oct 2020 15:54:47 +0000 Thu, 29 Oct 2020 16:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ Inside Dweezil Zappa's mission impossible: performing his father's Hot Rats album live ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/features/inside-dweezil-zappas-mission-impossible-performing-his-fathers-hot-rats-album-live 5rf9iVgBYmFiBg5KvVMAJF Thu, 09 Jan 2020 11:12:50 +0000 <![CDATA[ Get a comprehensive look at Frank Zappa's guitars, amps, effects and more in a new book, Zappa Gear ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/news/get-a-comprehensive-look-at-frank-zappas-guitars-amps-effects-and-more-in-a-new-book-zappa-gear u3VVuioDSZU99kDvR6xKrM Wed, 09 Oct 2019 16:30:06 +0000 Fri, 11 Oct 2019 17:27:38 +0000 <![CDATA[ 'The Bizarre World of Frank Zappa' Hologram Tour Set for U.S. in April ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/news/the-bizarre-world-of-frank-zappa-hologram-tour-set-for-us-in-april BEJpAYNApgK5vjP7dQNDeB Mon, 11 Feb 2019 16:50:33 +0000 <![CDATA[ 10 legendary shows from the Capitol Theatre ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/10-legendary-shows-from-the-capitol-theatre jB5scXERYbJZ4kq4jsAzTe Tue, 04 Sep 2018 20:26:12 +0000 Wed, 21 Aug 2019 11:39:04 +0000 <![CDATA[ Dweezil Zappa Teaches Frank Zappa's Improvisation Techniques and Riffs ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/lessons/dweezil-zappa-teaches-frank-zappas-improvisation-techniques-and-riffs EPmY7Micwa7NLsdWPMxidm Fri, 22 Jun 2018 19:21:43 +0000 <![CDATA[ Dweezil Zappa Dishes on Where to Start with Frank Zappa's Music ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/dweezil-zappa-dishes-on-where-to-start-frank-zappa FjFF7bJuGt6DX2hMbi7tSS Wed, 27 Dec 2017 21:35:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ Frank Zappa's Full Three-Night Stand at the Roxy Captured on New Box Set ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/frank-zappa-announces-roxy-performances-box-set zntagWZpRYtQzcxXz2H5tN Fri, 15 Dec 2017 21:49:30 +0000 <![CDATA[ Adrian Belew Discusses Gizmodrome, Parker Guitars and Auditioning for Frank Zappa ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/adrian-belew-talks-frank-zappa-gizmodrome-parker-fly-interview-king-crimson ovS292uijeKw7Jx7qMEdH7 Sun, 26 Nov 2017 19:44:25 +0000 <![CDATA[ That Time Frank Zappa Jammed with Pink Floyd ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/pink-floyd-frank-zappa-jam-interstellar-overdrive-1969-belgium CAqEyauyqgvLYeZKXn7nz8 Tue, 21 Nov 2017 18:07:09 +0000 <![CDATA[ Watch Steve Vai Talk Riffs, Gear, Led Zeppelin on 'My Favorite Riff with Nikki Sixx' ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/watch-steve-vai-talk-riffs-gear-led-zeppelin-my-favorite-riff-nikki-sixx QK59DD3x494yRBfvFtGy8Z Fri, 13 Oct 2017 16:12:06 +0000 <![CDATA[ John Lennon and Frank Zappa Jam in New York City in 1971 ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/john-lennon-and-frank-zappa-jam-new-york-city-1971-video hHKKTkBmkaZ5LjJJYxNSEh Mon, 09 Oct 2017 04:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ Steve Vai Confirms Participation in Frank Zappa Hologram Tour ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/steve-vai-confirms-participation-frank-zappa-hologram-tour GjR3RUk3V3SpbjrN4zSQ4Y Wed, 27 Sep 2017 17:31:13 +0000 <![CDATA[ Dweezil Zappa Will Not Participate in Upcoming Frank Zappa Hologram Tour ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/dweezil-zappa-will-not-participate-upcoming-frank-zappa-hologram-tour 9jmjXQzBHRjr8JZjXCeQ78 Mon, 25 Sep 2017 14:55:49 +0000 <![CDATA[ Watch Frank Zappa and Steve Vai Play "Stevie's Spanking" in 1982 ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/frank-zappa-and-steve-vai-play-stevies-spanking-1982-video c6yoTZtw2CH4fUYrZvEfbN Fri, 22 Sep 2017 18:25:18 +0000 <![CDATA[ A Frank Zappa Hologram Is Going on Tour ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/frank-zappa-hologram-going-tour xNJHYX76FUUwpq8MiMFBGG Thu, 21 Sep 2017 16:44:50 +0000 <![CDATA[ 15 of Prog-Rock's Best Guitarists Through the Years ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/15-prog-rocks-best-guitarists-through-years cCbcvQvsE8683En4VNCLSZ Wed, 13 Sep 2017 04:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ Steve Vai: “Frank Zappa’s Advice Saved Me Literally Millions of Dollars” ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/steve-vai-frank-zappas-advice-saved-me-literally-millions-dollars wNmMssm5Sx62a2nwBGzbT4 Fri, 31 Mar 2017 13:19:54 +0000