Dirty Love

The Zoo Crew is spinning "Dirty Love" by Frank Zappa from the 1973 album Over-Nite Sensation, a track that captures Zappa’s irreverent humor and musical prowess. One fascinating story behind the song involves the backing vocals by The Ikettes, including Tina Turner. Zappa, recording at Bolic Sound studio, wanted soulful backup singers for tracks like "Dirty Love." His road manager suggested The Ikettes, and despite Ike Turner’s initial demand that they be paid no more than $25 per song, an invoice later revealed they earned $187.50 each for 7.5 hours of work. Ike, however, disapproved of the song’s risqué content and insisted The Ikettes not be credited on the album, a decision that left their contribution unacknowledged on the original release.

Another piece of trivia highlights Zappa’s recording process for Over-Nite Sensation. During the sessions, Tina Turner was particularly proud of mastering the complex vocal harmonies, especially in tracks like "Montana," which shares the same recording period as "Dirty Love." She dragged Ike into the studio to hear her work, but he dismissed it as “shit” and left, a moment Zappa later recounted with amusement and sympathy for Tina’s efforts. The song itself, with its funky bassline and playful lyrics about “dragon lotion” and “dirty love,” showcases Zappa’s ability to blend crude humor with tight musicianship, featuring a standout guitar solo and contributions from musicians like George Duke on keyboards and Ian Underwood on saxophone.

Frank Zappa began his musical journey in the 1950s, influenced by a mix of doo-wop, rhythm and blues, and 20th-century classical composers like Igor Stravinsky and Edgard Varèse. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, on December 21, 1940, Zappa grew up in California, where he taught himself to play guitar and drums. His early career took shape in high school, where he formed bands and composed music, showing an early knack for blending satire with experimental sounds. By the early 1960s, he was working as a session musician and composer, even scoring low-budget films. In 1965, he joined the Soul Giants, which evolved into The Mothers of Invention, a band that became the vehicle for his avant-garde rock vision. Their 1966 debut album, Freak Out!, was one of the first double albums in rock history and established Zappa as a fearless innovator who mocked both mainstream culture and the counterculture.

Zappa’s official website, zappa.com, offers a deep dive into his discography, news, and legacy managed by the Zappa Family Trust. Fans can connect on social media through the official Frank Zappa Facebook page, the Frank Zappa Instagram account, and the Zappa X account, which share archival content and updates on reissues. For fan communities, Zappateers is a popular fan website with forums and resources dedicated to Zappa’s music. Additionally, the Frank Zappa Fans Facebook group is an active space where Zoo Freaks and others discuss his work, share rare recordings, and celebrate his boundary-pushing career.