"Bingo! There Goes Your Tenure" by Frank Zappa

[orleans]

"This was the keynote address to the 1984 convention of the American Society of University Composers (ASUC) held in Columbus, Ohio.

"I do not belong to your organization. I know nothing about it. I'm not even interested in it, and yet, a request has been made for me to give what purports to be a keynote speech.

"Before I go on, let me warn you that I talk dirty, and that I will say things you will neither enjoy nor agree with.

"You shouldn't feel threatened, though, because I am a mere buffoon, and you are all Serious American Composers.

"For those of you who don't know, I am also a composer. I taught myself how to do it by going to the library and listening to records. I started when I was fourteen and I've been doing it for thirty years. I don't like schools. I don't like teachers. I don't like most of the things that you believe in, and if that weren't bad enough, I earn a living by playing electric guitar.

http://minuet.dance.ohio-state.edu/ralley2//writings/bingo.html

i came across this the other night (the 20th anniversary of his passing) when i was doing some research. it's pretty interesting. i'd never seen it before.

[Scuba]

1. A free spirit if ever there was one.

[jakeXT]

2. I think he would like the internet, I wonder what his thoughts about the housing bubble would be

Today, just as in the glorious past. the composer has to accommodate the specific taste (no matter how bad) of THE KING reincarnated as a movie or TV producer, the head of the opera company, the lady in the frightening hair on the 'special committee' or her niece, Debbie.

Its all over, folks. Get smart--take out a real estate license. The least you can do is tell your students

[IrishAyes]

3. Great tribute. Thanks for sharing.

[Throd]

4. Thank you for posting this.