Rock musicians of the 70s at home with parents
Apartment Therapy found a fantastic LIFE magazine photo series from the 1970s of rock stars at home with their folks. Above is Frank Zappa. Also included are the likes of David Crosby, Grace Slick, Donovan, Jackson 5, Elton John, and Eric Clapton. "Look! 70's Rock Musicians and Their Parent's Homes" (Thanks, Richard Metzger!)
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Notice the large painting on the far wall of Mr. and Mrs. Zappa's attractively styled living room.
Also appears as the cover of Alice Cooper's first album Pretties for You.
These are the images to which I'll cling throughout the trying season. Thank you.
I can smell the linoleum from here....ahhhhh
Frank bought them that house. He said they thought he was "kind of okay" after that.
The gods have touched the earth... Thanks!
Wow....is it just me or did they all have the same interior designer? Their homes were spotless and stylin! Esp love Grace Slick's mom's living room.
Hey name the artist of the work the first poster alludes to, please, somebody?
"Buy a big flashy car,
And a house for my ma...
But the big break better happen soon
'Cause I'm pushing twenty-one..."
Was that lyric from "In a Hand or a Face" by the Who? Some track off "the Who by Numbers", anyway. This old fart has trouble rememberin' sometimes, I'd better go fetch my brain medicine...
I saw a similar set of photos in an issue of Details magazine in the 90s sometime, but the only artist I can remember is Rob Zombie in his parent's kitchen. He's looking pretty crazy, but his parents are in their matching clogging outfits, and look even stranger.
Gumboot clogging?
Did Zombie or his folks seem to be the more embarrassed?
ugly canuck @ 7 - right album, but it's "success story"
I'll say it again, Elton John's parents have the coolest wallpaper. Wish there were many more.
#10 Ugly Canuck- No, they seemed pretty cool with him. I found the photo, but I can't seem to find or remember any of the other pics.
The artist who painted the painting is Ed Beardsley
When I saw this piece in Life I was under the impression that it was FZ's living room and it was just about pop stars and their parents, not necessarily in their parents living rooms. Then I found this from the artist who painted it, which seems to corroborate my memory.
from:http://www.sickthingsuk.co.uk/albums/a-pfy.php
"Yes, It was Ed Beardsley - no he was not a shop teacher. The painting was something that Zappa had -- there are some pictures of his home where you can see the original painting in his house. It was pre-existing - not done for the cover. Originally, they attempted to use the Dali painting "Geopoliticus' Child" but were unable to secure the rights."
(Renfield, June 1995)
I recently managed to contact Prof. Beardsley about his painting and here is what he had to say:
"Yes, I am the same person who did the painting used on the Alice Cooper album, Pretties for You. Actually, that was the title of the painting, which Frank Zappa then used for the album. Frank, a friend of mine, was visiting my studio one day, bought two paintings he wanted to used for album covers, one for Alice Cooper, another for the Mothers of Invention. The two paintings purchased: 'Pretties for You' and 'The Four Apostles'. Both ended up in Frank's home, 'Pretties for you' in the main living room, and 'Apostles' in the downstairs music studio. Who knows what happened to them after Frank's death. I'm still in touch with his brother, Bobby, but not his wife or kids.
The idea behind the painting are the dreams and regrets of old men on the occasion of their death. It was inspired by the funeral of an Italian movie director who died in '68 or '69. There was a photo layout in Life magazine, I think it was, detailing the funeral. They had photos of the old director, and I liked his look, especially his hat. I tried to imagine his thoughts at his own funeral. Death is the fate of us all, of course, and I suppose the moment defines us as human beings... given the reality, however absurd it may seem to us, that we are born only to die."
(Prof. E. R. Beardsley, October 2003)
Elton's mom has snakeskin boots to match her snakeskin-print blouse. And is making sure to cross her legs so everybody can see it.
Elton's mom rocks.
Thanks to all for corrections, info and foto.
I remember this - also remember being surprised Life featured Grace Slick again after that picture of her dangling her baby China by the heel in a previous spread upset so many people.
I'm one of those people who are old enough to remember the original article, which I read avidly at the time. My Great Aunt subscribed to LIFE, and I'd catch up with the articles every few weeks when we'd visit.
I was happy to be reminded that Grace Slick's maiden name was Wing, as that means she's a relative of mine. I think it's okay to have lusted after someone as distantly related as we are.
Frank Zappa had parents?
Must state the obvious. Best FZ photo EVAH.