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Frank Zappa Trivia

Frank Zappa Trivia Quizzes

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17 Frank Zappa quizzes and 185 Frank Zappa trivia questions.
1.
  Six Degrees Of Frank Zappa   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Frank Zappa was one of the great musical geniuses of the late twentieth century. Even if you don't know much about him, take this quiz as an introduction to a man of integrity, humor, and unbounded creativity. Have fun!
Average, 10 Qns, Akhnaten, May 30 18
Average
Akhnaten
May 30 18
3289 plays
2.
  Think You Know Frank Zappa?   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 20 Qns
Think you know a lot about Frank Zappa? Use this quiz to test your knowledge. If you pass this and want to step up to a more difficult challenge, check out our next Zappa quiz 'Die Hard Zappa Fans Only'. Let us know what you think at 'rld333@aol.com'.
Average, 20 Qns, ZappaGirl, Dec 20 17
Average
ZappaGirl
3117 plays
3.
  Music Is The Best    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
A general quiz about Frank Zappa's music, bands, albums, and lyrics.
Average, 10 Qns, oofahlandian, Jan 24 07
Average
oofahlandian
1150 plays
4.
  Zappa Characters    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Frank Zappa wrote songs about many real and fictional characters in many strange situations. This quiz is based on ten of them. Good luck!
Average, 10 Qns, mtarkey, Nov 30 07
Average
mtarkey
1817 plays
5.
  The Musicians of Frank Zappa's Band   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Not only was Frank a great musician in his own right, but many of the musicians who have been in his band have gone on to do great things on their own. Let's see how much you know about them.
Average, 10 Qns, dan2626, Dec 31 09
Average
dan2626
499 plays
6.
  Frank Zappa - Man From Utopia   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
"The language and concepts contained herein are guaranteed not to cause eternal torment in the place where the guy with the horns and pointed stick conducts his business" was Frank's answer to the PMRC's infamous "tipper-sticker."
Tough, 15 Qns, JamesLake, Mar 01 14
Tough
JamesLake
1042 plays
7.
  Frank Zappa Lyrics Part 1   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Frank Zappa was one of the most creative and innovative composers of the 20th century. Here's a quiz on lyrics from his many pop compositions. I'll give you a lyric, and you name the song.
Average, 10 Qns, vig407, Aug 22 05
Average
vig407
1195 plays
8.
  Frank Zappa    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
An iconoclast and great American composer, musician and rock guitarist - Frank Zappa.
Average, 10 Qns, NevC, Jun 23 14
Average
NevC
309 plays
9.
  Frank Zappa Lyrics Part 2   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
More songs and lyrics from my favorite 20th-Century composer - a little different this time, as I'm asking questions about the content of the songs this time.
Tough, 10 Qns, vig407, Mar 01 14
Tough
vig407
802 plays
10.
  Grody To The Max!    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Like, it's a quiz about the "Valley Girl" song. OK?
Average, 10 Qns, Toneman52, Sep 05 09
Average
Toneman52
366 plays
trivia question Quick Question
Exactly what was the moron's wife doing in "Flakes"?

From Quiz "Frank Zappa Lyrics Part 2"




11.
  Frank Zappa Albums, Part 2    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Here's Part Two of the ultimate Zappa album quiz. Did you think Part One was tough? Try this one on for size. And don't forget to feed your poodle before it bites...
Tough, 10 Qns, Pessoni, Mar 01 14
Tough
Pessoni
247 plays
12.
  Zappa Release #3: We're Only ... Money [1968]    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Questions about Release #3: "We're Only In It For The Money" [1968]
Average, 10 Qns, elsa65, May 29 18
Average
elsa65
May 29 18
144 plays
13.
  Frank Zappa Albums    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Frank's music career was varied and extensive. He released dozens and dozens of albums in his lifetime (and a whole bunch more after his death!). How well do you know his discography?
Tough, 10 Qns, Pessoni, Mar 15 14
Tough
Pessoni
291 plays
14.
  Zappa Release #2: "Absolutely Free" [1967]    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Questions about Frank Zappa's Release #2: "Absolutely Free" [1967]
Tough, 10 Qns, elsa65, May 25 18
Tough
elsa65
May 25 18
114 plays
15.
  Zappa Release #1: "Freak Out!" [1966]    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Questions about Frank Zappa's Release #1: "Freak Out!" [1966]
Tough, 10 Qns, elsa65, May 25 18
Tough
elsa65
May 25 18
131 plays
16.
  The Frank Zappa Quiz    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Some tough questions about Zappa's catalog, stretching from 1966 to the present.
Difficult, 10 Qns, elsa65, May 14 18
Difficult
elsa65
May 14 18
152 plays
17.
  Zappa Release #4: Lumpy Gravy [1968]    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Questions about Release #4: "Lumpy Gravy" [1968]
Average, 10 Qns, elsa65, Jun 22 18
Average
elsa65
Jun 22 18
118 plays

Frank Zappa Trivia Questions
1. On the first track, "Are You Hung Up?" Gary Kellgren, the engineer, whispers his threats to erase all the Frank Zappa masters. He says they will be:

From Quiz Zappa Release #3: We're Only ... Money [1968]

Answer: Blank ... Empty ... Space

Zappa immediately throws the listener into his world of "anything-is-sound-is-music." The creepy whispering is accompanied by other bizarre sound-music, all leading into the first actual song, "Who Needs The Peace Corps?".

2. Using a Classical Music term, Zappa called each side of the record as "#1 (or #2) in a series of UNDERGROUND what?

From Quiz Zappa Release #2: "Absolutely Free" [1967]

Answer: Oratorios

Zappa copies the classical oratorio form -- consisting of recitatives, arias and choruses -- into his own mind-bending creation.

3. What unusual instrument does Zappa use in the orchestration for many of this album's songs?

From Quiz Zappa Release #1: "Freak Out!" [1966]

Answer: Kazoo

The slightly out-of-tune kazoos heighten the strangeness of all these songs.

4. Starting at the beginning - Frank Zappa was born in what US city?

From Quiz Frank Zappa

Answer: Baltimore, Md

Frank was born on December 21, 1940 in Baltimore Md.

5. Which Zappa album features several Mothers of Invention classical/jazz/rock instrumentals book-ended by two 1950s doo-wop cover tunes at the beginning and end of the album?

From Quiz Frank Zappa Albums, Part 2

Answer: Burnt Weeny Sandwich

The excellent "Burnt Weeny Sandwich" album featured some of the Mothers' more avante-garde instrumental tunes. But Frank creatively began and ended the album with two old cover tunes from the Four Deuces ("WPLJ") and Jackie & the Starlites ("Valarie").

6. Steve Vai cut his teeth with Frank's band in the 80s. Among Steve's many musical accomplishments, which two big name groups did he spend some time with?

From Quiz The Musicians of Frank Zappa's Band

Answer: Whitesnake and David Lee Roth

The legendary guitar player Steve Vai was part of the David Lee Roth supergroup, along with Billy Sheehan on bass and Greg Bisonette on drums. Check out Steve's solo album "Passion Grace and Warfare" for some serious music.

7. Who spoke as the Valley Girl on Frank Zappa's original "Valley Girl" song?

From Quiz Grody To The Max!

Answer: Moon Unit Zappa

Moon Unit spoke in "Val-speak" throughout the song (1982). "Valspeak" describes the way that certain stereotypical wealthy girls in California spoke in the 1980s and 1990s. Frank is Moon Unit's father, Dweezil and Ahmet are her brothers, and Diva is her sister. Moon Unit has since published a novel entitled "America, The Beautiful" (2001).

8. What was the first album put out by the Mothers of Invention?

From Quiz Music Is The Best

Answer: Freak Out!

"Freak Out!" is arguably the first concept album and one that purportedly inspired Paul McCartney to come up with the idea of "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band".

9. What song is the following lyric from?: "The Zipper From The Black Lagoon?"

From Quiz Frank Zappa Lyrics Part 1

Answer: Cheepnis

"Cheepnis" first appeared on the "Roxy and Elsewhere" album, as Zappa's homage to the great b-movies of his youth.

10. Exactly what was the moron's wife doing in "Flakes"?

From Quiz Frank Zappa Lyrics Part 2

Answer: Frosting a cake

"Flakes" was Frank's ode to all the stupid people we have to contend with on a daily basis, which first appeared on the "Sheik Yerbouti" album.

11. Who "messes up" Joe's mind?

From Quiz Zappa Characters

Answer: Lucille

All from "Joe's Garage": Lucille messed up Joe's mind and furthermore passed on a disease to Joe that, well, made his visits to the bathroom somewhat uncomfortable for him. Sy was the robotic love interest of Joe. Father Riley was the Catholic priest. Mary was Joe's more conventional love-interest at the start of the album.

12. Frank Zappa was born where?

From Quiz Think You Know Frank Zappa?

Answer: Baltimore, MD

It is commonly thought that FZ was born in California, but he was actually born and spent the early part of his life in Baltimore, MD.

13. Which Beatle appeared in Frank Zappa's movie '200 Motels'?

From Quiz Six Degrees Of Frank Zappa

Answer: Ringo Starr

Ringo played the role of Larry the Dwarf who was dressed like Frank Zappa and shared his unique hairstyle.

14. The album opens with someone saying, "The way I see it ________."

From Quiz Zappa Release #4: Lumpy Gravy [1968]

Answer: Barry

Barry is Barry Imhoff, partner with Howie [Solomon] who owned the Cafe au Go Go/Garrick Theatre N.Y. in 1967. It was typical of Zappa to use these short 14 syllables as a preamble to the happy, jumpy music which follows.

15. On "Invocation and Ritual Dance of the Young Pumpkin", immediately prior to a rip-roaring guitar solo, Frank quotes which piece of music?

From Quiz Zappa Release #2: "Absolutely Free" [1967]

Answer: The "Jupiter" movement from "The Planets" by Gustav Holst

He would repeat this excellent idea -- with fantastic results -- on "Call Any Vegetable" from 1972's "Just Another Band From L.A.".

16. Frank attended which music school?

From Quiz Frank Zappa

Answer: Frank never went to a music school- he was self taught

In his autobiography, "The Real Frank Zappa Book" Frank notes his appreciation of and influence by the composer Edgard Varese.

17. Drummer Chester Thompson played with Frank starting in the late 60s including double drumming with Ralph Humphrey. Which big name band did Chester play live drums with for over ten years after playing with Frank?

From Quiz The Musicians of Frank Zappa's Band

Answer: Genesis

Phil Collins heard Chester on the live album "Roxy and Elsewhere" by Frank Zappa and wanted to hire him based on that performance.

18. On what album would you find Frank Zappa's "Valley Girl" song?

From Quiz Grody To The Max!

Answer: Ship Arriving Too Late to Save a Drowning Witch

"Ship Arriving Too Late to Save a Drowning Witch" was released in 1982. Frank Zappa co-wrote the "Valley Girl" song on this album along with his daughter Moon Unit. Steve Vai also performs on guitar on this album.

19. According to the outrageous song "Punky's Whips", which of Zappa's drummers had a crush on Punky Meadows of the group Angel?

From Quiz Music Is The Best

Answer: Terry Bozzio

According to the introduction to the song: "Terry recently fell in love with a publicity-photo of a boy named Punky Meadows, lead guitar player from a group called Angel. In the photograph, Punky was seen with a beautiful shiny hairdo in a semi-profile which emphasized the pootched out succulence of his insolent pouting rictus, the sight of which drove the helpless young drummer MAD WITH DESIRE!"

20. In what song would you find the following lyric?: "California's got the most of them/Boy, they got a host of them."

From Quiz Frank Zappa Lyrics Part 1

Answer: Flakes

"Flakes" was the second cut on "Sheik Yerbouti", the album which also featured "Jewish Princess" and "Dancin' Fool". The song resonates with me, since I know very few people who wouldn't qualify for the title.

21. What was the name of the giant poodle-dog that was attacking the nuclear power plant in the song "Cheepnis"?

From Quiz Frank Zappa Lyrics Part 2

Answer: Frunobulax

Frunobulax was based on Frank's daughter's poodle (which was named Frenchy). "Cheepnis" initially appeared on "Roxy and Elsewhere".

22. About what did Dinah-Moe Humm bet her sister?

From Quiz Zappa Characters

Answer: That she could prove men were scum

"She made a bet with her sister, who's a little bit dumb, she could prove it any time all men was scum." Dinah-Moe made a bet with the NARRATOR (not her sister) that he could not satisfy her... and she bet a forty-dollar bill no less! At no time did she speak of satisfying any man.

23. Who played violin on "Fifty-Fifty?"

From Quiz Frank Zappa - Man From Utopia

Answer: Jean Luc Ponty

Zappa also wrote "King Kong" to feature Ponty.

24. Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention's debut LP was?

From Quiz Think You Know Frank Zappa?

Answer: Freak Out

This was Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention's first LP released in 1966.

25. Three members of which 60's hit-making group later joined Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention?

From Quiz Six Degrees Of Frank Zappa

Answer: The Turtles

Mark Volman.Howard Kaylan, and drummer Jim Pons of the Turtles were members of the Mothers of Invention for several years.

26. Motorhead's girlfriend "tore up the engine, and the trans, and her and a girlfriend they get in there and booze it up and tear up the seats. Just ripped the seats completely out." What kind of car was it?

From Quiz Zappa Release #4: Lumpy Gravy [1968]

Answer: '56 Olds

"... After the Olds, he got another pickup." Motorhead's monologue is fascinating in and of itself. Afficianados of 50's muscle cars will surely get a huge kick out of it. Zappa accompanies the rap with interesting musique concrète, which gradually gets louder.

27. According to Zappa, the songwriter, "What's the Ugliest Part of Your Body?"?

From Quiz Zappa Release #3: We're Only ... Money [1968]

Answer: Your mind

The "B" section ("All your children are poor unfortunate victims ...") is in a very nasty 7/8 time!

28. What is "Uncle Bernie's Farm" about?

From Quiz Zappa Release #2: "Absolutely Free" [1967]

Answer: Dangerous, stupid toys

"There's a doll that looks like daddy He's a funny little man Push a button & ask for money There's a dollar in his hand (Check his wallet)"

29. What is the time signature of "Who Are The Brain Police?"?

From Quiz Zappa Release #1: "Freak Out!" [1966]

Answer: 3/4

On this first Zappa album, one can hear how often Zappa wrote in "Waltz Time." This bizarre song is one of many with this lilting musical meter.

30. Frank co-wrote and co-directed what 1971 movie?

From Quiz Frank Zappa

Answer: 200 Motels

Ringo Starr appears in the movie as does Keith Moon. It stars Theodore Bikel with music by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the Mothers of Invention, Frank's band.

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