Great Lives

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Factual: Life Stories

Biographical series in which guests choose someone who has inspired their lives.

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Great Lives: Frank Zappa

Frank Zappa

BBC Radio 4 - Great Lives, Frank Zappa

John Robins is obsessed by Frank Zappa - here's why

Frank Zappa was born Frank Vincent Zappa. His band - the Mothers of Invention - were originally called the Mothers. They weren't hippies. They were freaks.

"The most important thing to do in your life is not to interfere with somebody else's life." 
Frank Zappa was born December 1940 in Baltimore, USA. Comedian John Robins - who is obsessed - reckons that it was his subsequently itinerant childhood that had much to do with what happened next. Frank's musical output was prodigious and varied, but John laughs out loud when pushed on whether he had any hits. That wasn't the point of Frank Zappa - the music was everything, creating it and performing it.

Joining the award winning comedian and broadcaster in studio is Deb Grant, who provides a steadying balance to John Robins' fan boy approval of all things Zappa. Programme includes multiple clips of Frank himself, including his most famous quote: "Most rock journalism is people who can't write, interviewing people who can't talk, for people who can't read."

The producer in Bristol is Miles Warde

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