meta_pixel
Tapesearch Logo
Log in
Great Lives

Frank Zappa

Great Lives

BBC

History, Documentary, Personal Journals, Society & Culture

4.21.2K Ratings

🗓️ 25 April 2023

⏱️ 28 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

"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

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

He's a rule breaker, a trend setter. He reshaped art and redefined graffiti.

0:07.4

How does he smell?

0:08.4

Like paint.

0:09.3

Has he got any distinction features?

0:10.8

His anonymity.

0:11.9

But who is he?

0:13.2

What's his name?

0:14.1

Banksy.

0:15.0

Apparently I've met him twice.

0:16.5

The Banksy story.

0:18.0

Banksy's work is always about the human spirit versus establishment.

0:24.2

Listen on BBC Science.

0:27.4

BBC Science, Music, Radio, Podcasts.

0:32.7

Be regular and ordered in your life, so you may be violent and original in your work.

0:39.1

The words of Gustav Flowbear, not today's great life,

0:43.2

but they were often spoken by the man who is.

0:46.9

Here's a line he did invent, not quite the same,

0:49.9

but with the same underlying seriousness about life's purpose.

0:54.5

Perhaps my guest here will read it.

0:57.3

Take it away.

0:58.6

If you end up with a boring, miserable life because you listen to your mother,

1:02.5

your dad, your priest, some guy on TV,

...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from BBC, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of BBC and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.

Copyright © Tapesearch 2025.