Necessity Is...: The Early Years of Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention [Paperback]

Billy James (Author), Don Preston (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2001

The Mothers of Invention were a band of anarchic, free-spirited, musically telepathic mavericks headed by the genius of Frank Zappa. Billy James recaptures the early years as remembered by those who were there; Jimmy Carl Black, Roy Estrada, Bunk Gardner, Buzz Gardner and Don Preston. Fully illustrated, the book investigates the oddball humor that surrounded the Zappa entourage from 1964-1970 and presents a fitting tribute.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

James' book about Frank Zappa and his early band mates is flat-out wonderful. For starters (well, enders, actually), its discography covers Zappa, the Mothers of Invention, and each individual Mother--not only Jimmy Carl Black's entire oeuvre, but those of Ian Underwood and Motorhead Sherwood, too. Yow! Meanwhile, among the crucial bits of Zappa lore James assembles are the other Mothers' perspectives on ex-Turtles Mark Volman and Howard Kaylan joining the band during the videotaping of 200 Motels. At the time, the legal backwash from the Turtles' breakup precluded the two singers from recording under their real names. So on Chunga's Revenge, Zappa billed them as Flo & Eddie, aka the Phlorescent Leech and Eddie, monikers appropriated from two Turtles roadies but which Volman and Kaylan use to this day. With so many great details, the lack of an index is disappointing, but it mustn't dissuade pop music collections from acquiring this vital look back at late '60s L.A and its pop music scene--a retrospection delightfully skewed by Zappa's genius and his and the other Mothers' perspectives. Certainly, no self-respecting Zappa-tista will snub the book for having no index. After all, these musicians are the guys who pretty much created alternative rock. Mike Tribby
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: SAF Publishing Ltd; First Edition ~1st Printing edition (July 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0946719144
• ISBN-13: 978-0946719143
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,316,181 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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27 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars NOT a necessity at ALL!!, June 19, 2001

By 

Ton (the Netherlands) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Necessity Is...: The Early Years of Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention (Paperback)

Poorly written by a person who obviously has NO IDEA of what Frank Zappa is all about. Although he makes note of the fact that FZ got annoyed that people didn't understand what he was trying to say, Billy James is EXACTLY such a person. The important elements in the works of Zappa are brought down to such things as "weird" "wacky" "freakish" "zany" "snoring", and every ensemble he formed after the original MOI put down because these terms didn't apply too much anymore. Although James frequently praises FZ for being a talented musician, a genius or whatever, these remarks are never explained with ANYTHING that resembles any understanding of WHY this is the case. These remarks merely seem to be there so that the more educated reader will understand James Knows His Thing. (Which he doesn't) The book is a collection of anecdotes told by some of the more frustrated ex Mothers Of Invention who, instead of understanding that without FZ they are just not interesting enough, have decided to spend their lives being bitter about the fact that for some reason Frank got all the fame and they didn't. Thus they emplify their own importance in the old band and in Zappa's euvre. Nothing new is told, the only difference is thatthey have never had such an extensive platform to broadcast their remarks.

A book about the early history of the carreer of one of the most important composers of the 20th century that ends with: "what is certain is that Bunk, Don, Jimmy, Motorhead, Ian, Art, Buzz, Ray and Roy have been entertaining people for over a quarter of a century - wheather is be with vegetables, trnsformations, improvisations, snorks or athmatic wheezing. One thing is for sure, we will never forget our Mothers!" is just too childish, superfluous and plainly stupid to even bother to talk about it anymore.

Don't waste your money.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting... but is it honest?, May 9, 2001

By 

Ryan "The Doctor" (Meadville, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Necessity Is...: The Early Years of Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention (Paperback)

This is mainly a collection of interviews, jokes, road stories, and tall tales from the early Mothers. While the veracity of these tales is rather dubious at times, the book holds true in its claim that the early Mothers members certainly were a band apart(no pun intended), and there was(is?) a certain kinship and musical bond between them that was unique, and had a big role in helping to shape Zappa's early albums. But, given the fact that almost everyone interviewed in the book had a falling out with Zappa at some point, you have to wonder if they are just out to toot their own horns(play their own pianos, finger their own guitars, etc). For example, Don Preston seems to be the most delirious through out, with his delusions of grandeur including(but not limited to) sexual encounters lasting in the multiple hour range with multiple women at the same time, and inspiring John Coltrane's pioneering and exploratory style of Jazz. Seriously, guy, have some perspective. Probably the most illuminating aspect of the book is that it makes clear what divisions were drawn within the band itself: those who could read music vs. those who couldn't, those who wanted to make serious music vs. those who wanted to rock n roll & get chicks, those who were closer to Frank vs. those who just wanted to party and be one of the boys, those who were real Mothers vs. those who were just sessions players. While its probably not in the Zappa Family Trust Accepted Reading List(tm), its still a worthwhile read for the hardcore Zappaphile.

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars NECESSITY IS  necessary, July 15, 2001

By 

S. M Marson (Lumberton, NC) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Necessity Is...: The Early Years of Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention (Paperback)

I have read the following books about Frank Zappa:

THE REAL FRANK ZAPPA BOOK by Frank Zappa and Peter Occhioigrosso

NECESSITY IS... THE EARLY YEARS OF FRANK ZAPPA AND THE MOTHERS OF INVENTION by Billy James

COSMIK DEBRIS: THE COLLECTIVE HISTORY AND IMPROVISATIONS OF FRANK ZAPPA by Greg Russo

NO COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL: THE SAGA OF FRANK ZAPPA by David Walley

THEM OR US by Frank Zappa

UNDER THE SAME MOON by Suzannah (Thana Harris)

BEING FRANK: MY TIME WITH FRANK ZAPPA by Nigery Lennon

Of these, THE REAL FRANK ZAPPA BOOK and NECESSITY IS... are my favorites. Anyone who has read THE REAL FRANK ZAPPA BOOK will thoroughly enjoy NECESSITY IS... Two reasons:

First, Billy James is a good writer, but more importantly he is a good organizer. His task was to take historical events and present them in a coherent manner. He decided NOT to present this history in chronological order per se, but rather he addressed key events from different perspectives. The events are not necessarily in chronological order. It is an unusual way of organizing one's thoughts, but it works. He must be applauded for his creative way of organizing his thoughts.

Second, he examines each single historical event by getting perspectives of several people involved in the event. Its a fascinating excursion into the study of human behavior. In most cases, different people see the identical event in a contrary manner. In some cases, the conflicting descriptions are quite humorous.

Others who have harshly reviewed this book have missed the point. This is a book of perceptions. It is not an objective assessment of reality. It doesn't make any difference if the interviewees were frustrated or delirious. James provides a fresh perspective.

In addition, James answers some questions that cannot be found elsewhere. For example, I have often wondered how Zappa could include Mark Volman and Howard Kaylan (bubble gum singers from the Turtles) in the Mothers of Invention. In chapter six, James lays out all the events. An impressive job of pulling together quotes and ideas!

NECESSITY IS... THE EARLY YEARS OF FRANK ZAPPA AND THE MOTHERS OF INVENTION provides an important dimension into the understanding of this artist that none of the other books do. It is a critical addition to everyone's Frank Zappa library.