Of course it's my personal opinion, but I think Zappa's solo on Inca Road is the best electric solo of all time.

In gladiatorial competition I assume Billy Cobham will emerge as the ultimate champion.

This was a great video until you said the word “Giraffe”, I only watch channels that don’t use that word

Zappa was no where near conservative politically. Not buying into everything hippie culture may have offered, or pretended to offer, does not conservatism make. He was a liberal voice against censorship for a start. He had many diatribes against Republicans throughout his early career as well as opposing conservative Dems like Al and Tipper Gore. He just didn't get into the "turn on, tune in drop out" view.

The thing with Zappa is that he defined himself as a great contemporary composer but his music is not so much avant-gardiste as he himself believe but more like a bunch of syncopated rhythm and blues phrases tied up with odd time signature tempo. McLaughlin on the other hand is a real musician's musician. I like them both and seen them both in concerts many time but I have always felt that Zappa was a man with a chip on his shoulder. Whenever you see him on tv, radio, interview he always comes out as someone who needs to explain his music. He was a man on a mission to be legitimize and pronounce in the same breath as Bela Bartok, Stravinsky or Varèse. Mclaughlin never expresses such doubts and he doesn't seem to be interested by his place in music history or world wide fame. He has a great level of humility as all the really great have...he isn't insecure about his talent because he knows no one comes close to want he does on the guitar.

John McLaughlin is my favourite guitarist of all time. I'm a big fan of Zappa as well.

Zappa was NOT anti-hippie.. he was anti -WOO. . REAL hippies don't DO dippy mate, we 'paint' weird stuff for JUST fun.. (and you know it.)

I much prefer Jerry Goodman vs Jean Luc Ponty. Ponty's solos were far more predictable and got a little boring when he relied on the echo effect. Also, Jean used a different style electric violin and it sounded less like a violin than Jerry's sound. Jerry had far more edge, dynamics and pure passion in his playing/sound. Plus, the interplay between Jerry, John, and Jan was simply without peer.

I’m a big Zappa and McLoughlin fan, from way back, in fact the start of their respective careers. I wouldn’t have seen Zappa as a representative of the common man though..I always saw him as arrogant and more than a little sneering at certain stereotypes which remained unchanged targets throughout his career.

I saw Mahavishnu Orchestra and Zappa on the same bill. Guitarist Leo Kottke opened the show, next, Mahavishnu, followed by Zappa. Jean Luc-Ponty was playing violin with Zappa. Great show.

I like/admire the angles you take discussing music/musicians. It's refreshingly unique, Andy.

There's a video called The Drummer of Frank Zappa with Humphrey, Thompson, Bozzio, Wackerman and Ruth Underwood where they discuss exactly that for a good 10+ minutes : How did the Mahavishnu opening for Frank changed him. It's a marvellous discussion. Here it is :

When I was 11-12 years old , my older brother was a jazz blues pianist 6 years older. I listened to everything he was listening to. I was so fortunate to have Mahavisnu, zappa, miles jack Johnson set album, chick corea, Brian auger. Its not the music our community listened to. So its like a secret world, most of my friends shake their head and walk away and I'm left to enjoy enjoy enjoy.great video

There's a video on youtube where Ruth Underwood states that when Zappa first heard Mahavishnu on the tour his face dropped, and she sensed things were going to change from there on, and they did.

My first Zappa concert, M.O. opened for Zappa. Cobo Hall, Detroit. Mothers Day 1973 or 74. "Birds of fire" vs. "Apostrophe" it was mind-blowing experience !!

You're right about the way that mahavishnu and zappa appealed to fundamentally different audiences. My musical acquaintances tried over and over to make me love Zappa. I LIKED Zappa. But as soon as I heard McLaughlin, I was in LOVE. I saw <ahavishnu, in that original incarnation three times. Each concert was a miracle. And, for me, NO DRUGS!!!!

Andy, your music knowledge is astonishing.

Ponty played with both bands. A tribute to his greatness

Another fantastic video. Never thought about that aspect of the violin like that but it really makes perfect sense. This interwound history of these two great guitarists and their relationship with another leading electric instrument which acts as a 2nd fiddle (pun intended) is really beautiful.

Seen both SEVERAL times over the years.