Progress is not possible without deviation.

Fittingly, this quote comes from the guitarist whose influence spurred a band called the Soul Giants to become known as the Mothers of Invention. Frank Zappa assumed leadership of the rock group in 1965, after his predecessor suggested that they could only make money by playing covers. The fundamental goal of Zappa’s career was to create original music — when he died at age 52 in 1993, he had released more than 60 albums as a collaborator or soloist. The Baltimore-born artist proudly identified as a “freak” and regarded complacency as the biggest threat to creativity and the American citizenry. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer believed progress depended on originality, and that a willingness to deviate from the norm could inspire others to do the same.