Frank Zappa

Latest about Frank Zappa

Lowell George playing a Fender Strat while wearing a cowboy hat
Tribute album to be released in honor of Little Feat and Mothers of Inventions guitarist Lowell George

By Janelle Borg Published

Elvis Costello, Ben Harper and Dave Alvin are among those paying tribute to the work of the late slide virtuoso

Music Releases
Dweezil Zappa Hot Rats Gibson Les Paul
“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

By Matt Parker Published

The inimitable Zappa is selling off some of his most unusual and prized guitar possessions in order to raise funds for his forthcoming tour dates

Electric Guitars
Pete Griffin backstage with Dethklok
“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

By Nick Wells Published

The seasoned sideman compares notes on Steve Vai, Yngwie Malmsteen, Nuno Bettencourt, Zakk Wylde and Dweezil Zappa

Artists
Frank Zappa
How to solo using compound time – the secret behind some of Frank Zappa and Robben Ford's most out-there leads

By Andy G Jones Published

Open up some all-new possibilities for your lead strategies with these fresh rhythmic soloing approaches

Lessons
Frank Zappa
Two previously unreleased Frank Zappa concerts from 1980 set for release later this year

By Sam Roche Published

Shows recorded at New York's Mudd Club and Munich's Olympiahalle will feature on the sprawling new release, which includes an essay by Steve Vai

Concert, Gigs & Tours
Steve Vai's signature guitar, the Ibanez JEM
Steve Vai on how Frank Zappa inspired him to design the Ibanez JEM – and why the Japanese guitar builder succeeded where others failed

By Robin Davey Published

“Ibanez said, ‘We want to make these for other people, too.’ And I’m thinking, ‘Who’s going to want this? It’s so weirdly idiosyncratic to me!’”

Electric Guitars
Frank Zappa
When Frank Zappa shut up ’n’ stopped playing guitar

By Noë Gold Published

Tracking the great Frank Zappa’s on-again, off-again love affair with his guitar with Ahmet Zappa, photographer John Livzey, Steve Vai and Zappa biographer and filmmaker Alex Winter

Guitarists
Frank Zappa performs live in France in 1970
Frank Zappa and The Mothers' legendary 1971 Fillmore East shows to be released in their entirety in mammoth new eight-disc box set

By Jackson Maxwell Published

The Mothers 1971 includes Zappa and co's legendary encore jam with John Lennon and Yoko Ono

Music Releases
Sister Rosetta Tharpe
10 essential Gibson SG albums

By Glenn Kimpton Published

The solidbody double-cut with the instantly recognizable silhoeutte has graced some of the greatest recordings of all time

Music Releases
Frank Zappa
Frank Zappa: ”I think my playing is probably more derived from folk music – Middle Eastern music, Indian music, stuff like that”

By Guitarist editors Published

The guitarist, composer and trailblazer opens up on first guitars, primary influences and the search for better gear

Guitarists
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