The Mothers of Invention

Though forever linked to Frank Zappa, the Mothers of Invention originally started out as a stand-alone ensemble. Playing a disarming mélange of '50s doo wop, Chicago R&B, and avant-garde music, the band was one of the most adventurous units of the late '60s and early '70s. Their revolutionary debut Freak Out! was bettered by their third album, We're Only in It for the Money, a wry attack on the love generation. Zappa's dictatorial style, however, caused tension in the group, and subsequent releases were piecemeal affairs controlled primarily by their visionary leader. The original lineup was disbanded in 1969; however, Zappa would resurrect the name in the early to mid-70's with different bandmembers.