There’s never enough Frank Zappa on this blog, so we’re hoping this 20-minute video from a 1986 episode of CNN’s Crossfire fills this month’s quota. In this near-legendary clip, the Mother of Invention faces off against three old dudes in a battle of censorship. Talking points include Prince’s incestuous “Sister,” Van Halen’s “Hot For Teacher” video and Zappa’s own catalog. But let’s be honest, the real highlight here is watching Zappa apply the verbal smack down on then-Washington Times columnist John Lofton, who is so naïve about rock music that Zappa deservingly tells him to “Kiss my ass.” Further proof that CNN isn’t nearly as fun these days as it was back then.
Bonus Jonas:
Zappa returns to Crossfire in 1987, this time with different hosts and a plan in place to put Parental Advisory stickers on albums. Highlight:
Crossfire Host: “Are there any rock lyrics, Mr. Zappa, that you have heard in the past couple years that you wouldn’t want your children listening to?”
Zappa: “We are the World.”
Related Stories:
• The Immortals: Frank Zappa By Trey Anastasio
• Frank Zappa’s Raunchy Rock Opera “Joe’s Garage” Debuts in L.A.
• David Fricke on “Zappa Plays Zappa”
