Zappa opens in theaters and On Demand November 27th
Magnolia Pictures will release Zappa, a documentary that explores the life of Frank Zappa, to theaters and On Demand on November 27th. With unfettered access to the Zappa family trust and all archival footage, Zappa explores the private life behind the mammoth musical career that never shied away from the political turbulence of its time. Writer and director Alex Winter’s assembly features appearances by Zappa’s widow Gail Zappa and several of his musical collaborators including Mike Keneally, Ian Underwood, Steve Vai, Pamela Des Barres, Bunk Gardner, David Harrington, Scott Thunes, Ruth Underwood, Ray White and others.
Additionally, the documentary explores Zappa’s footprint on Los Angeles. After moving to LA at 18 years old, Zappa began to build a name for himself and his band, the Mothers, in Los Angeles’ underground music scene while playing at classic landmarks such as the Cheetah Club and The Whisky A Go Go. From alternative rock to the classics, the city played a major role in Zappa’s career: the KROQ radio station helped to bring the song “Valley Girl” to popularity and, in later years, the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra worked with Zappa to perform his classical music of 200 Motels. Beyond his own career, Zappa was influential throughout LA’s culture with his house in Laurel Canyon functioning as the central meeting place for many LA musicians including Mick Jagger, Jimi Hendrix and Rod Stewart.
The film also looks at the many other areas where Zappa left a lasting mark, including his political involvement as an advocate against music censorship that even led him to the halls in congress.
The film was produced by Winter, Ahmet Zappa, Jade Allen, Devorah DeVries, John Frizzell and Glen Zipper.
