I saw Zappa and the Mothers of Invention at the Royal Albert Hall in London back in the late 60s,. At one point a security guard or bobby came on the stage, I forget why. Hippies in the audience wearing beads and headbands started booing. One of them shouted, "Take off your fucking uniform, mate!" Zappa responded, "Everyone in this room is wearing a uniform, so shut the fuck up." It quieted the crowd instantly. Zappa simultaneously defended a hapless bobby (gallantly, I'd say) and called out the audience for being as conformist as anyone else and also being hypocrites about it. It was a great moment, tells you a lot about his character.
I saw Zappa and the Mothers of Invention at the Royal Albert Hall in London back in the late 60s,. At one point a security guard or bobby came on the stage, I forget why. Hippies in the audience wearing beads and headbands started booing. One of them shouted, "Take off your fucking uniform, mate!" Zappa responded, "Everyone in this room is wearing a uniform, so shut the fuck up." It quieted the crowd instantly. Zappa simultaneously defended a hapless bobby (gallantly, I'd say) and called out the audience for being as conformist as anyone else and also being hypocrites about it. It was a great moment, tells you a lot about his character.
I remember hearing that story. He was on a level of cool and smart that nobody else ever reached. I have another relevant quote from him for tomorrow!