No Commercial Potential: The Saga of Frank Zappa

By David Walley

Book Overview

For nearly thirty years Frank Zappa (1940-1993) pursued an idiosyncratic but influential course in music-rock, jazz, and classical composer (releasing over fifty albums); founder of the Mothers of Invention; guitarist, conductor, and producer; as well as social satirist, sonic scientist, First Amendment champion, and all-around iconoclast. This updated edition of David Walley's cutting-edge classic includes a new foreword, a substantial chapter carrying the Zappa saga through his death from cancer, an afterword, bibliography, discography, videography, and guide to Zappa on the Internet. From 1960's Freak Out to the posthumous Civilization Phaze III, No Commercial Potential offers converts and connoisseurs the most practical and penetrating book ever written on the musical phenomenon known as Frank Zappa.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0306807106
• ISBN13: 9780306807107
• Release Date: August 1996
• Publisher: Da Capo Press
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.74 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.2" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

For Hungry Freaks!

David Walley third and last edition of NO COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL: THE SAGA OF FRANK ZAPPA was published in 1995. After reading the 1st edition in 1972 (hot of the press) and in the spirit of "Absolutely Free," I immediately gave my copy to the organist of a rock band called The Last Rite (well known in Columbus, Ohio at the time). He, of course, was delighted and still has the book. Thus, when I saw the 3rd edition availabl, I immediately purchased it. However, this time, I won't give it away.If you are like me, when you read this SAGA, you'll get flashbacks to your youth. It's a great book for those of us who want to remember the 60's and 70's. "The more things change, the more they stay the same" is a truism that hits the reader right between the eyes. I was stunned when I realized Zappa's freedom of speech struggle did not change over his entire life course. It is a book filled with paradox. Although the serious theme of freedom of speech is found in the book, it includes much to make one giggle. I read the entire book on an airplane and caught myself laughing aloud.I enjoyed reading NO COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL: THE SAGA OF FRANK ZAPPA just as much as I did the first time.

Valuable Counter-Opinions For Your FZ Mythology

This is an adequate follow-up read to The Real Frank Zappa Book. This book is valuable to the FZ fan as it takes a slightly revisionist approach. The opinions are not always positive, and there are some unpleasant things said. Yeah, the hard-core Zappa fan-atic might find this unpalatable, but there's nothing here serious enough to put the book down. This updated edition dates from 1996, and there is precious little this book tells about us about FZ in the years since the last edition. What the reader will notice is that the book previously was published in 1972 and 1980. It is clear that this updated edition has simply had the 28-page "I'm Not Satisfied" chapter added since the 1980 edition. The chapter's opening sentence, "Frank Zappa's last thirteen years . . ." is a dead giveaway that it's an add-on. As such, it just doesn't have any depth; the cynic in me sees a hastily-produced chapter put together to capitalize on interest in FZ after his 1993 death. (The lightweight, 25-page "Cosmic Debris" chapter covering the 1972-80 period is also a lame add-on to the original 1972 edition.) The years 1980-93 were FZ's most productive, most vocal, and most creative, and to sum up this period with a short chapter to justify an updated edition is just plain disrespectful. There are also updates to the bibliograpy, discography, and clearly a newly-added "Zappa on the Internet" section. The book is best when discussing the early FZ/Mothers years. Keeping in mind that this book was first published in 1972, it's not surprising to see that the first 150-odd pages of this 211-page book are devoted to this period. There are lots of great quotes, photos, and graphics such as old handbills and maps. Lots of good information on the satellites in the FZ universe, such as the band members, groupies, the GTOs, etc. The layout makes this book an easy and flowing read. It goes quickly, and is very much enjoyable. Despite some of the observations made above, I do recommend this book.

Literary potential anyway

I have read this more than once & find it very fascinating as the man himself of course was. It is interesting to see how w/ the later editions, Mr Walley becomes less impressed w/ what Zappa is doing, quite rightly since the late 70s/80s stuff, though occasionally amusing cannot compare to the greatness of his 60s & early 70s work, the pioneering of Lumpy gravy & We're only in it for the Money, & the beautiful sounds of Burnt Weeny Sandwich, the venturing into the film world of 200 Motels & Uncle Meat [both designed to very much freak out the average viewer] + just being associated w/ the great Don Van Vliet... The best thing about the book is how it chronicles the pre-fame Frank in his high school days. Also it has a bibliography & list of fanzine addresses @ the end which makes it useful. It really makes it!

Outside of FZ's own book, the best bio there is...

Walley's done his research, and he even writes with the wry humor Zappa would have approved of. Fascinating and entertaining. Written in the early 70s, this edition includes an updated section covering FZ's life since then. Complete discography and fan organization listing. A must for the complete Zappa library.

The most authoritative and honest book on Frank Zappa

This book has been around for almost twenty five years now, and this edition picks up the story of Zappa where the last edition left off in 1980. Aside from covering the saga of FZ until his death in 1993, it contains an updated discography, bibliography, videography, list of fan zines as well as a survey of the best websites concerning the man and his music. Despite the fact that this book was originally written 25 years ago, in the opinion of many who listen to and follow the career of this major American composer, it has been deemed the most honest and fresh in its approach