Frank Zappa was never easy to categorize. Across his 30-year career, the avant-garde musician challenged conventions, satirized American culture, and released more than 60 albums with his band, The Mothers of Invention.
But even Zappa—who often seemed to exist outside the mainstream—had his own list of personal favourites. In a 1975 interview with Let It Rock, the iconoclast revealed his 10 favourite albums of all time, and his picks were as diverse and unpredictable as his music.
The Rolling Stones vs. The Beatles
Zappa surprised fans by naming The Rolling Stones’ 1967 album Between the Buttons as a highlight, praising its social commentary and psychedelic experimentation. He even controversially claimed it was *superior to The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.
Still, The Beatles made Zappa’s list too, with their 1969 masterpiece Abbey Road—a record he described as essential listening.
Opera, Blues, and Heavy Metal
Zappa’s tastes weren’t confined to rock. He singled out Krzysztof Penderecki’s opera The Devils of Loudon as a favourite, admiring its dramatic intensity and unconventional production. He also paid homage to early blues legends such as Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Guitar Slim, and Johnny “Guitar” Watson, acknowledging their deep influence on modern music.
At the same time, Zappa showed appreciation for the rising sound of heavy metal, picking Black Sabbath’s “Supernaut” as one of his essentials.
Frank Zappa’s 10 Favourite Albums
Here’s the full list Zappa gave in 1975:
- Supernaut – Black Sabbath
- After The Gold Rush – Neil Young
- Between the Buttons – The Rolling Stones
- Abbey Road – The Beatles
- Muddy Waters Sings ‘Big Bill’ – Muddy Waters
- The Devils of Loudon – Krzysztof Penderecki
- The Complete Works of Edgard Varèse Vol. 1 – Edgard Varèse
- Three Hours Past Midnight – Johnny “Guitar” Watson
- The Story of My Life – Guitar Slim
- Who Will Be Next? – Howlin’ Wolf
Conclusion: A Window Into Zappa’s Mind
Frank Zappa’s list reveals a man whose influences stretched far beyond genre. From opera to blues, psychedelic rock to heavy metal, his taste was eclectic, intense, and uncompromising—just like his music.
His favourite albums not only reflect the artists who inspired him, but also highlight how Zappa blended seemingly disparate worlds into his own boundary-pushing sound.
