Frank Zappa And The Mothers Of Invention In The 1960s

While many documentaries would flounder with no input from the subject being profiled, it actually helps put things into perspective in this case, especially since Frank Zappa had been so controlling of his entire career when it came to his music and image. He was 10 times more effective at image maintenance than the team behind any current pop phenomenon, and regularly put media folks in their place.

It's now been almost 16 years since Zappa passed away, and it's great to hear the story told by someone else and from a new viewpoint. Many of the crucial early Mothers like drummer Jimmy Carl Black, keyboardist Don Preston and Bunk Gardner are interviewed along with the requisite rock biographers.

As most of the main players concede, Zappa was always the spokesman for the group right from the beginning. At least it's nice to finally hear from some of the other voices saying it.