American rock band led by guitarist Frank Zappa (1940-1993). The credit "Zappa" appears on albums released under Frank Zappa's own name (rather than "Frank Zappa" or "The Mothers of Invention"), most notably starting with the 1979 Sheik Yerbouti and Joe's Garage releases when Zappa began separating his "Zappa band" from the Mothers branding.
Released over 60 studio albums under various Zappa credits. Best-known recordings include "Bobby Brown" (1979), "Valley Girl" (1982, featuring Moon Zappa), and the Joe's Garage (1979) and You Are What You Is (1981) song cycles. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995. The Zappa estate continues to release archival material.
