Frank and Moon Zappa Talk "Valley Girl" | Letterman
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 23 ก.พ. 2023
- The Zappas play the name game and do valley speak.
(From "Late Night," air date: 8/10/82)
#frankzappa #valleygirl #letterman
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Welcome to the Letterman TH-cam Channel, home to all your favorite clips from Late Night and Late Show - as well as conversations with the writers, producers and performers who helped make it all happen. The language may strike you as quaint & flowery, the clothing comically lacey & ornate - but that’s how things were back in this colorful and now bygone era. - บันเทิง
You can tell Dad is proud of her. He's trying so hard not to step on her lines.
He's just promoting an old record that has no sales now.
@@KB-ke3fiwow. just wow man.
@@KB-ke3fi The slightly ruffling you just felt was the breeze from the point that sailed right over your head.
@@KB-ke3fi Why were you here?
@K B you just described every song that had ever existed. It’s popular for a year or two & then disappears with very few sales. (Except maybe a greatest hits album.)
My grandma once casually said "Oh Yeah, Frank Zappa - we used to have dinner with him and his wife sometimes." WHAT???? OMG
DONT LET THAT BE ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT PLEASE
Can we know more ? 🥺
Lmao. Grandparents have some crazy ass stories, don't they? My great grandfather said he witnessed the great Brinks heist in Boston while standing nearby, and saw the faces of the perps and where they took the money, but he was also a full-blown schizophrenic. LOL.
If your granny lived in Echo Park around Preston Ave, believe it!
Awesome!
She's astonishingly articulate, witty and inteligent for a 14 year old. Well, no suprize there considering who's daughter she is ...
Daughter of a clown?
She looks in her 20s
I don't think it was so uncommon back then. Think of how much modern teens reflect our current culture, we just chose to change our culture. It's not just teens that reflect these differences. Environment matters.
@Matthew Alistair those names would be normal these days.
@Matthew Alistair those names would be normal these days.
You can just sense the intelligence and wit of both Zappa's.
You're right: both of them!
I believe Zappa's father was military intelligence.....
She learned how to be smart from him
"both Zappas" (no apostrophes need apply for the job of pluralizing nouns)
@@patgalvez4563 So was Jim Morrison's. Coincidence? Yeah.
Wow! Moon was more mature as a 14 yo than most of our elected officials today.
Government is our main enemy. Doesn't matter who is in charge.
@@robotron17 is that another child of zappa?
She makes Kamala Harris look 8 year old
@@hyzercreek thats sad because she is vastly more mature than any republican
@@hyzercreek And Donald Trump like a Toddler - Oh wait he does that already on his own. 😆
I miss Frank, he was so intelligent. Moon was impressive for a 14 year old in this interview. She was mature beyond her years in this interview.
I'm with u 100%. Looking at Moon , we need to stop labelling people or other culture that have consent when they were married at that age. My grandmother was 15 when she got married in the 1930s
Their haircuts
@@princesssolace4337 You know she’s his daughter right?
Still a child at 14 though. Not sure what you mean by “labeling”? Something very creepy about a man in his 20s, 30s or older with a 14 yr old girl if that’s what you are implying.
@@fishsquishguy1833 U know I'm talking about any 14 year old girl and older that we haven't seen but only read.
I'm using her as an example of not judging a person base on what we read or heard on sum social justice dumb ass post on YT/Internet.
My point is don't be bias and dumb like u are right now
People looked older back then and before that. She is 14 but looks between 25-30 over here. Which today 25-30 look their own age or younger.
My brother baby sat Moon and Dweezel Zappa when Frank had family in Kailua, Oahu, Hawaii back in the late 60s!!!!! Time certainly flies.
I grew up in Studio City, California, and knew Zappas kids, a little bit. We had mutual friends, etc. Frank definitely raised his kids well. They aren't perfect, like most of us. They were a lot of fun. Good people. Miss Frank so much!!
I was amazed when Moon announced she was only 14 here. She showed the poise, confidence and ability to intelligently engage as someone with much experience. Kudos to Frank.
ya, I had to go back and listen again. She looks a bit older than 14, but not much; that she spoke with the poise, timing and wit of a 25 year old was confusing to me!
They say people looked older for their age back then. No idea why.
Why can't I meet any women like this ??
@@Pteromandias because they were lying, silly.
@@michaelparks6120 lol!!
Moon is incredibly Poised, Charming and Pleasant.
She must have a Great dad!
The best part is watching the pride in Frank's face everytime Moon speaks so colloquially and succinct. I would be equally as proud as a father.
You'd describe her speech as colloquial? Are you referring to her natural speech or her valley girl impressions?
I hope you mean articulately, I don't think colloquially means what you think it does.
I hate correcting people but, as others have already chimed in with their opinions, l think the word you wanted was eloquently. Colloquial means informal or familiar of a type that would not be used in written English. I wondered if you had been a victim of auto correct.
@@nikiTricoteuse Ah ha. That's it. Thanks. I was trying to figure out what OP was going for.
amen you want your kids to be real amen
We lived in "the valley".
Used to see Frank, his wife, and kids around, a lot.
Spoke with all of them, many times.
Super nice, engaging, and fun family.
Frank was a real genius in many ways, but always listened, and was interested in whoever he was speaking with.
His kids were the same way.
Good parenting.
Moon was several years younger than me, but I had a crush on her, when she was older than this clip.
Really cute, and quick witted
Great family, and a great time associating with all of them.
Seems rather absurd that they would have remained there for so many years if they despised it as much as they claimed to in this interview. I guess it’s nice you got to see a pleasant side of them bc here they just seem like arrogant, self important, holier-than-thou douches.
Little fact for ya...dweezil was in the running man 😜
So was mick fleetwood also when frank went to register dweezil the powers that be wouldn't let him do it until he changed the name dweezil so he named him after every member of the band he had then, when dweezil found out when he was about 15 he went and changed his name by deed poll back to dweezil ♠️ 🍀 😜 what a dude
Wow, just blown by how mature and poised Moon Unit was throughout the entire interview. I had almost forgotten this album and the unrelated movie that followed. Valley Girls were definitely a phenomenon that swept the country.
Certainly the most mature, poised (and funny! ) 14 year old girl I've ever seen! Frank raised her good!
@@utube9000 She is 14 here? Wow, she looks and speaks like she is at least 18
Ok fine, like Fer sure
If your dad is Zappa, you kinda have to be.
Nowadays everyone seems to talk like them. Scary and sad.
"I'd like to do a Hawaiian Punch commercial." -Moon (Unit) Zappa. Classic!
It's what she said directly after that which is cut out its unfortunate we will never know due to editing lol
He was brilliant. Too many people wrote him off as weird, but he was incredibly intelligent.
Complex fusion jazz. Anti-pop, as Primus would say
You're probably wondering why I'm here.. Hungry freaks daddy.
Yes he was .... incredibly intelligent
That was the good thing about the 60s. You could be weird, imaginative, creative. Now people are like clones.
"he was incredibly intelligent."
Yes, I got that part just listening to his music and lyrics as a teenager. It was many years later before I actually heard him conversing.
She is more intelligent and mature at 14 than most 25 year olds today.
*Most 40 year olds today.
no doubt! More than people in congress!
Except for you guys. You're special. It's all the other people who are dumb.
You spelled "all" wrong
@@MadScientist267 I’m sure you had everything all figured out at 25 or are the only 25 year old who isn’t a big stupid dummy like all the others. You special little guy you!
She's so mature sounding, my jaw dropped when she said she was 14 years old. She has a strong command of the english language. So does her father ...he taught her well.
People looked older back then and before that. She is 14 but looks between 25-30 over here. Which today 25-30 look their own age or younger.
Before the internet, kids were forced to disconnect from their peers and be around adults at home. Their dumb jokes and comments were negatively reinforced by eye rolling adults. They took their social cues from those adults and thus were more mature. Nowadays, kids don't get that mature interaction. They go home and proceed to get on the internet where their dumb, immature humor and dialect is positively reinforced by their immature peers. Its kids raising kids, even if they have parents.
I saw Frank Zappa in concert in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, about 1988. A young woman tried to climb up on stage but security grabbed her. Frank had her put up onto the top of a huge bank of speakers where she couldn't get down. She sat perched up there for a couple hours about 16 feet above the stage. Concert was great.
That’s weird.
@@dewilew2137 I'd say, "that's awesome!" There was a somewhat negative consequence for her, but she didn't get thrown out of the concert or arrested, and got one of the best seats in the house! Win/win!
That is both epic & appropriate 😂 ❤
@@dewilew2137 I think you're lost.. You are watching Frank Zappa.
@@confit 🙄 Get over yourself.
"A mind is like a parachute, it needs to be open to work". - Frank Zappa.
One of the most intelligent comments ever made. However, being open-minded doesn't mean accepting what you are told as truth without evidence. It doesn't mean rejecting mainstream thinking which is the basic norm except if you're a conspiracy theorist.
The earliest known time this was quoted was in 1927, well before Frank Zappa was born.
@@okeydokey3120 Care to educate us who exactly quoted it first and site the source plz.
@@okeydokey3120 That's the best thing about quotes; they can be recycled over the decades as long as they still ring true, and it doesn't matter who coined it first. I quote Alan Watts all the time yet he's quoting old Eastern philosophical texts and whatnot.
@@StrangeScaryNewEngland Alan Watts probably wishes he could be like David Watts.
Frank Zappas charisma and musical genius combined with his one of a kind uniqueness is totally awesome. Such an out of this world guy who still seems completely down to earth. R.I.P.
You can tell they've answered the names question so many times that they're ruthlessly well-prepared for it.
My roommate in 1979 was obsessed with Frank Zappa and I still thank him for introducing him to me.
Roommates were great for that sort of thing. Mine got me into Neil Young to my never-ending gratitude ... meanwhile I got him into punk. No telling what he thought of that !
@@jayhawkjd8565if you like Neil Young you'd Love this song written as an anthem for him by a Band that describes how perfect music can be. It's called "White Falcon Fuzz" by The Mother Hips! They've made some amazing records and songs that are classic. And are incredible live! Funny that Scott Thunes played bass with them for a minute.
My jaw dropped when she said she's 14
It's truly insane. I've never seen a 14-year old look and act 28.
Very sharp looking and great composure, deportment
Same. I figured early 20s at most.
That's what I told the judge.
Looks 41
Letterman had only been on the air for about 7 months at this point. I fondly remember staying up late and watching many of those shows.
Never been a big fan of his music but I seriously enjoy EVERY interview I have ever seen with Frank.
Very smart and witty guy.
his music was never pleasing to me either, but I read his autobiography, a great book and life story!
@@curtrod Sounds good!
I like a lot of his music, and he was a brilliant guy. The definition of avant garde.
WHAT? You have to hear. "An evening with wild man Fischer" Merry-Go-Round is a masterpiece.
I would say a person has to have a abstract mind to get Frank Zappa. It took alot to put alot of his songs together. He was actually a tremendous guitarist. I always wondered how he thought up alot of that stuff. But being a Teenager in the Seventies it made a lot of sense. My friends and I called High Talking because we would say the wildest stuff. Then there was microdot and blotter that made us sound like Aristotle. So I get it. That was such a long time ago. Had a blast!!
I just smiled through this whole interview. The world needs more genuine people like these two. Please excuse me now. I am going to jam out to "Valley Girl" now. Peace everyone! ✌️
Frank Zappa is a very interesting character. It's like he knows so much that he does not talk about.
"Hawaiian punch commercial, or an Encino housewife"
Fantastic lyrics. They're naturally poetic in everything they do.
Moon is hysterically funny. Such poise
Why is it, that through the awesomeness that is Frank; there is a "squidward is not impressed" shining through...years before there ever even WAS a "Squidward"🤣
Moon is a doll😍 Frank sure let his daughter shine😎
This is legendary awesomeness🙏
Thank you for this. Frank Zappa was a great man. He is missed. He did as much as he could to introduce the world to the great music of the 20th century.
I used to love when Moon was VJ'ing on MTV. Her sense of humor had me in stitches.
That was a good role for her at the time.
"life was pretty sick back then, wasn't it?"
The look, that statement, perfect.
The look she gave when Dave said she must be making a lot of money of the song. Lol. Quick witted just like her dad.
That sort of subtle banter is gone in conversations nowadays. I'm not too sure if people even communicate on this level anymore with the inception and replacement of physical communication with texting. It's a people over the age of 40 thing.
@@elmerkilred159
Exactly, people nowadays don't have the patience or dare I say social IQ for that type of communication. I wouldn't limit that to just social IQ either 😀 But they sure are good at whining, being confused, and feeling entitled.
Interesting Frank factoid.
I don't know of any other music artist who only had one Top 40 hit, Valley Girl, in this instance, and *never* performed that song live in concert. That's Frank Zappa, ladies and gentlemen.
That happens often, at least the detest of said "pop" song, much to the chagrin of the artist or band.
Simpleminds comes to mind, for me, although I'm sure they performed their star-making hit from the movie "the Breakfast Club", the song 🎵 "Don't you forget about me" 🎵 when required to. My understanding is that lead singer Jim Kerr HATED that song.
@@johndanielsforJesus
You missed the operative word, the word NEVER played live.
Bands may tire of playing their hit song night after night and even come to hate it, but they played it.
Valley Girl, being Frank's ONLY Top-40 hit, was never played live.
Johnny Mathis said he was tired of singing Chances Are, night after night, every night of his performing career, so he dropped it from the repertoire. Then HE went to see a concert and THAT singer didn't sing his signature song and Johnny felt cheated. From that day on, Johnny gladly belted out Chances Are to never again let his audiences feel cheated.
That anecdote has nothing to do with Frank but speaks to the notion of not wanting to play the hit.
Frank Zappa is the man. One of the original GOATs.
I laughed so hard when in the beginning Dave was talking about how successful her dad was and she rolled her eyes
One of my all-time favorite Zappa clips (along with this one) was when he appeared on Crossfire and deep-fried those bloviating meatheads over music censorship.
I love that clip too. Frank speaking at those PMRC hearings was great too.
Two must-see Zappa TV appearances (for ballbusting weirdness, not music) were when he appeared on a game show called "Make Me Laugh" with Bobby Van where FZ sat with his arms crossed and refused to laugh at any of the stand-up comedians. The other was the "Dinah Shore Show" entitled Hitmakers of the 60s' where he was particularly offensive, an absolutely hilarious appearance.
…..yet now people he would be voting for today are all about censorship. The liberals have truly lost their direction.
@@STELLASCUTENESS couldn't disagree more.
@@lorip.1110 shoot, John Denver hit them with a hard left by not being the weak little puppet they thought he was going to be....those hearings were almost as interesting as the Whitewater Hearings....where Bernie Sanders fkd us all...the Clintons would have gone down in that investigation....along with the majority of government officials.
What a mess that would have been....one can only imagine.
Frank, being on a level several stories above the audience
Several stories above most everyone, actually. ✌️
And several stories above David Letterman in particular. The interview was cringe-y in its superficiality.
Jfc the narcissistic fart-sniffing going on throughout this comments section is so tedious.
"Oh man, Frank is such an untouchable genius! These normie FOOLS in the audience don't deserve to be in his presence!" **FRRRRRRT** **S'NFFFFFFFFF** "But _I_ would!" **FRRRRRRT** **S'NFFFFFFFFF** "Oh God, I'm a genius too, I'm just like Frank!" **FRRRRRRT** **S'NFFFFFFFFF**
@@dildonius say's the guy who puts himself above said narcissists 🤣
I assume you currently have a lungful.
I was 15 when the "Valley Girls" single was released. I purchased it, the 12" single edition, with a picture sleeve. On that photo, Moon's hair was shoulder-length. She'd cut it, by the time they made this appearance on Letterman.
It's always a pleasure to watch Frank Zappa speak. Just to look into his eyes, and feel the wheels turning...One knows a great intellect is processing.
I have grown to appreciate Frank's recording career. No one else ever did what Frank did. It's beyond analysis: either you find it intriguing, or, not. In 2023, I found myself getting obsessed with his albums again. It keeps my brain happy, to listened again and again, trying to figure it all out.
It was great to see this clip.
My husband went to the same school and had playdates with Dweezil. There are some colorful parenting stories.
This is the side of Frank Zappa that I wish more people knew. I love his music, but his social commentary is spot on. He's no fool and wouldn't be played for one by anybody.
That was a LOT of fun. Love their dry wit.
oozing guru wisdom. how solid they both are in manner, how relaxed they are in this most intense of spotlights. if that's weird, we all need to be weirder.
Always a delight to see this man!
@Godsabitch Why not?
@Godsabitch Because he was an extremely unique & intelligent individual - one that shall never pass this way again.
The humor in this is subtle perfection.
Frank has such a sly and knowing smile in this.
Frank is the cooolest dude ever. Great musician and saw thing just a little clearer than most. Rest in peace.
AMAZING how Dave turned the interview around
Zappa helped me through my teenage years.
Perhaps one day we'll forgive him.
Dweezil is such an awesome musician
5150
Imagine having such a great artist on your show and asking about the names of his children. Seems like a bit of a wasted opportunity.
It was a sign of the times. Social oddities were looked upon differently than today.
everybody who cares already knows about that stuff nobody knows why he gave the kids the goofy names until somebody asks
Fantastic! RIP Frank
Holy cow 14 that's crazy my 50 year old brain would have thought older for sure. She seems so mature for 14 that's wild.
We were
I love Frank and Moon and the whole family. They are wonderful people that are all amazing.
Frank Zappa was on another level😉
A very cool dude.
Dave definitely doesn’t know how much of a musical genius frank was. Frank is for sure one of the people we lost too soon.
He was a Brahms or Chopin to psychedelic rock.
Actually Dave is well aware of Frank's musical genius. Another time on the show he discusses the making of Frank's album with the London Symphony Orchestra. He shows some knowledge and appreciation of his music and the magnitude of his talent. Most of all in that interview Dave is amazed at how dedicated to his craft Frank was. To fund the recording of his compositions with a world class orchestra and not caring at all if another human being ever bought a copy and listened. So yea. Dave knows alright.
@@theyapsta
Actually I worked in Dave’s research group. We researched every guest and gave Dave notes on past present and future things they were involved in. They only thing Dave was interested in was ratings.
Frank has always owned the coolest facial hair
She mocked Valley girls way before mocking them became a trend.
I thought the song started the trend…
Good to see Frank wearing shoes. I remember he'd come to parent-teacher open house sans shoes. I still love Moon's "Valley Girl" speak!! Nostalgia!
Incredible composer; saw his som, Dweezel, a few years ago in concert carrying on his father’s musical legacy. Excellent band.
Ditto here, like totally! 😎
@@user-lu1xp4ze8w fer sure fer sure!
Zappa Plays Zappa has been a great series of live shows.
@@flickwtchr I think you mean ZPZ. Don't get Dweezil in trouble again. Seen them twice and even took one of his masterclasses back in 2014. Very interesting human being.
Frank was brilliant and moon shines
Frank and Moon with the 80`s perm🤣🤣
Proud dad.
I was also 14 when this came out and I had the album. I loved them both! Moon is one day older than I am. All the girls spoke valley girl including me because of this album!
People looked older back then and before that. She is 14 but looks between 25-30 over here. Which today 25-30 look their own age or younger.
The world was a better place with Frank in it.
Frank was a genius and to me a funny comedian with his lyrics.
I am from the Philippines and I like Frank Zappa 's music.
Who remembers Frank Zappa's album "Jazz From Hell" getting a parental advisory sticker, despite being an instrumental with no lyrics?
...just based on the title of the album's first single, "G-Spot Tornado". Ridiculous.
@@djhrecordhound4391 If I remember right, he used that name just to make the censors look silly.
proving his point about far right authoritarianism in this country.
there's an interview on (YT) here, where he says CNN is too right wing....and they have become *MORE* pro-corporate, pro-gov, and pro-war since then.
“The illusion of freedom will continue as long as it's profitable to continue the illusion. At the point where the illusion becomes too expensive to maintain, they will just take down the scenery, they will pull back the curtains, they will move the tables and chairs out of the way and you will see the brick wall at the back of the theater.”
― Frank Zappa
To appreciate the genius of Frank Zappa, you have to understand his sense of humor, and in the case of his daughter, the apple didn’t fall far from the tree.
Best valley girl impression ever.
Frank's Dad was a Nuclear Scientist who worked on some Top Secret stuff.
It's times like this I wished Zappa was still alive! Could you imagine him on between two ferns with Zack "oh what's his name?"
Frank was always ahead of the curve.
Ya, a woke idiot.
She has her father’s personality and sense of humor.
Man I miss Frank a lot. Get his book if you can, it's awesome. A real genius.
i saw a concert of his in 1977..Very entertaining...
@@patgalvez4563 Saw him in 1988 on the Broadway the hard way tour. AWESOME night!
He was mad.
Yeah, genius to start an autobiography with: "I did not eat shirts from stage!" Pretty brilliant. What truly fills the heart, makes the mouth flow like a waterfall. Human nature. As Mr. Zappa thought it was the first thing that came to mind when he was jotting down his carefully crafted image that reads: I AM EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. While eating shirts from stage to built a legacy is obviously not that important, according to Mr. Zappa himself. But just important enough to start an autobiography with, apparently. Seems legit.
Now wait.. should not 14 years olds just behave like 14 years olds? Or be daddy's private one hit wonder? The only way a real genius can score a hit, I assume.
@@wolfgangdevries127 Ut oh, seems someone needs a tissue. You O.K. Corky?
Frank was a smart guy he knew what was going on in the world
My first Zappa album was Overnite Sensation ! Love that to this day ! since the early 70s !
14 she acts 24..amazing
We need Frank's wisdom today now more than ever. Man was a genius.
They broke the mold when they made Frank.
One of the oddest, strangest, most bizarre bunch of people ever.
in a good way tho'
thank god!
I always liked the story how Frank wanted out of his recording contract, the record company said he owed them 5 albums, so Frank recorded 5 albums in a row and got out of his contract
Saw Zappa live in 1981 at the Stanley Theater in Pittsburgh. My very first concert!
I was there too...great gig!
Lucky lucky bastard
I love Frank Zappa. Went to See him in concert in San Francisco at the Filmore in the late 60s.. changed me forever ❤️
This was where it all started for me. I was not a Valley Girl but I could sound like one. I loved Frank Zappa but this song❤️❤️
My husband used to do his album covers. Went to his house, said just a regular guy. Very talented could play any instrument ~ extremely innovative. Polite.
What covers did he do . I love overnight sensation.
Frank Zappa was strongly opposed to drug use. Ingenuity in music and lyrical genius do not always equal drug use.
Grew up in the San Fernando Valley when this song came out. The parody was spot on. However, there’s worse places in Southern California/Los Angeles.
Frank Zappa had charisma!
She is definitely her father's daughter. ❤ This world was better with you in it, Frank. You are missed & still much loved by many✌️
I don't think there's any way Zappa's kids would not have also become very intelligent
There are artists I can't listen to all the time. But every once in a while you have to make the rounds. Frank Zappa is one of those. You'll always come back for a visit, over and over again. Forever. He never really gets old. And I would argue that Moon and her hit single had a cultural effect that resonates to this day. Including the SNL sketch The Californians
I love them both awesome people.
What a treat. Thanks.
Absolutely fantastic. Very interesting, intelligent and relatable. 💖👍
We need more People like Frank Zappa in our lives. Moon was one mature 14 yr old. More mature than some 30 yr olds.
yeah she came across like she was 37
*More mature than many 40 year-olds.
Intelligence really does run in the family.
Not in my family
I still have this Zappa record in my collection. had no Idea what a ship ariving too late was about. but still like it.
love them so much. and I so miss Frank.🖤