The Performer – 1978 – 79

Zappa approached his audiences as an older, wiser patriarch. He somehow believed that perhaps if he antagonized them enough they might rebel against bosses, teachers, parents and maybe even the government. He always wanted to entertain them however, and give them good value for their money. He just hoped to do so whilst educating them. Zappa lectured his audiences on the evils of Warners, TV evangelism, Nixon and even set up voter registration booths at his shows.

Miles believes that “Zappa could never respect his audiences [because] if he did he might have to listen to their criticisms.” [p. 265]