When Frank Zappa died of cancer in 1993, the world lost a talent with a memorably irreverent, intelligent personality. Here Michael Gray follows the trajectory of Zappa's career, documenting his move to California and the formation of The Mothers of Invention. The short but remarkable life of one of rock's most un-compromising figures is updated here to include a reassessment of Zappa's continued influence on a new generation of artists and fans. 60 black-and-white photographs are included.