Have I offended someone?

Frank Zappa (1940-1993) was an extremely prolific rock musician, having released over 60 albums during his career (and beyond).

Zappa's recording career began with the Mothers of Invention, who released the first rock double album, "Freak Out!" in 1966. Over the next quarter-century, Zappa's career embraced doo-wop ("Cruising With Ruben And The Jets"), rock opera ("Joe's Garage"), classical ("Lumpy Gravy"), albums consisting entirely of guitar solos ("Shut Up 'n' Play Yer Guitar"), social comment ("Frank Zappa Meets The Mothers Of Prevention") and Synclavier pieces too complicated to be played by humans ("Jazz From Hell"), amongst a tremendous number of studio and live albums. In addition to this, he scored a US hit single, "Valley Girl" (co-written and voiced by daughter Moon Unit), and made three movies, including "200 Motels", which also featured a cameo appearance by Ringo Starr as..... Frank Zappa.

As well as his work with the Mothers of Inventrion and as a solo performer, he collaborated with Captain Beefheart on 1976's "Bongo Fury", and produced the Captain's legendary "Trout Mask Replica" album.

Anyone wishing to acquaint themselves with Zappa's work is advised to start with the recent Rykodisc compilations "Strictly Commercial", a comprehensive best-of; "Have I Offended Someone?", a selection of his more, um, suggestive work; and "Strictly Genteel", a collection of classical pieces. Alternatively, for a more eclectic overview of the Zappa legacy, try "Cheap Thrills" and "Son Of Cheep Thrills", both of which include seemingly random selections from various albums, and sell for pleasantly small amounts of money.

Final bizarre Zappa-related fact: FZ's former "stunt guitarist" Warren Cuccurullo is now a member of Duran Duran.