Frank Zappa Went Against the Grain (And His Stance on Recreational Drug Use Proves Just That)

Frank Zappa is one of the most unique and off-the-wall rock stars to ever grace the mainstream. Zappa’s music and general brand certainly had their own special and identifiable mark. Though those weren’t the only things that made Zappa unique. What arguably made him the most unique rock star was his perspectives, which were highly intellectual, very astute, and often a bit contrarian.

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A lot of musicians of the 70s theorized about religion, politics, and other societal structures. Though, their perspectives never got really any deeper than wanting to topple and rebel against the greater powers at hand. Who knows if such musicians meant this, or if they just said it because they thought it would make them look smarter and more socially versed than they actually were. This is not how Frank Zappa operated, as his perspectives were poignant, potent, and precise.

Zappa didn’t just differ from his fellow musicians in this way, as he also differed from them in another major way, and that difference revolved around recreational drug use. In the 70s, the question wasn’t “What rock star is on drugs?” It was, “Which rock star isn’t on drugs?” In other words, the majority of musicians seemingly indulged in some nefarious substances, but not Frank Zappa. Now, he was no Nancy Reagan, but he was also certainly not a Keith Richards.

Frank Zappa Wasn’t Against Drug Use; He Just Didn’t Feel the Need To Partake

Frank Zappa was one of the few musicians of the 70s who did not take drugs. He drank in moderation, but drugs just weren’t his thing. Seemingly, Zappa just didn’t feel the need to clock out of reality, alter his personality, and deal with the potential physical, mental, and legal consequences. And given the time in which he walked and talked, that fact is incredibly impressive.

Concerning his thoughts on recreational drug use, Zappa stated in an interview with Buzz in 1988, “The thing about drugs is this…If you want to get wrecked, and you could afford it, and you have a place to do it where the results of your behavior can’t harm another person, I don’t see any reason why you shouldn’t be allowed to do it. I mean, if you want to hurt yourself, go ahead.”

“The problem with drugs is that most of the people that use the drugs, use it as a license to be an a—e… The minute you use the drugs, and you do something that interferes with the life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness of the guy next door, you’re a criminal, and you ought to be punished for that especially if you’re in a position where your actions could affect large numbers of people,” added Frank Zappa.

In totality, Zappa seemingly didn’t disagree with drugs if taken in moderation and in a considerate way. Though, if not, then he viewed them as a major detriment to society. Zappa’s perspective is far more expansive and intricate than what we’ve paraphrased here, but regardless, the opinion shows that Zappa was a man of his own, and no cultural phenomenon or mind-altering high was going to blow over his convictions.

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