Frank Vincent Zappa (December 21, 1940 – December 4, 1993) was an American musician, songwriter, composer, record producer, actor and filmmaker. In a career spanning more than 30 years, Zappa composed rock, jazz, jazz fusion, orchestral and musique concrète works, and produced almost all of the 60-plus albums that he released with his band the Mothers of Invention and as a solo artist. He also directed feature-length films and music videos, and designed album covers.
As a self-taught composer and performer, Zappa's diverse musical influences led him to create music that was often difficult to categorize. While in his teens, he acquired a taste for 20th-century classical composers such as Edgard Varèse, Igor Stravinsky, and Anton Webern, along with 1950s rhythm and blues music. Zappa's lyrics reflected his iconoclastic view of established social and political processes, structures and movements, often humorously so. He was a strident critic of mainstream education and organized religion, and a forthright and passionate advocate for freedom of speech, self-education, political participation and the abolition of censorship. Unlike many other rock musicians of his era, he disapproved of and seldom used drugs, but supported their decriminalization and regulation.
During Zappa's lifetime, he was a highly productive and prolific artist, earning widespread acclaim from critics and fellow musicians. He had some commercial success, particularly in Europe, and worked as an independent artist for most of his career. He remains a major influence on musicians and composers. Sterling Whitaker described Zappa as "one of the most innovative and versatile rock musicians of his generation." His honors include an induction into the 1995 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the 1997 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine ranked him at number 71 on its list of the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time", and in 2011 at number 22 on its list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time".
The White Stripes give an electric performance on the Pyramid Stage at the Glastonbury Festival in June 2002
Pharell Williams in 2015 on the Pyramid Stage at the Glastonbury Festival
Thom Yorke and Radiohead playing a surprise performance on the Glastonbury Festival Park Stage in 2010
Liam Gallagher owning the stage whilst headlining with Oasis at the Glastonbury Festival in 1995
Thin Lizzy's music reflects a wide range of influences, including blues, soul music, psychedelic rock, and traditional Irish folk music.
Adam and the Ants were an English new wave band active during the late 1970s and early 1980s. The group existed from 1977 to 1982.
The Faces were an English rock band formed in the wake of the Small Faces’ split in 1969, releasing four studio LPs and one live album.
Blondie is a American rock band founded by Debbie Harry & Chris Stein that pioneered the New York new wave & punk scenes of the 1970s.
Curated collection of authentic, signed limited edition fine art prints by legendary rock music photographer, Mck Rock
Our contact sheet collection is a rare opportunity to look back at the hidden moments surrounding some of rocks most iconic images.
This print collection by Jill Furmanovsky contains images of Oasis on-the-road, onstage and recording in the studio during their zenith.
