Political Ambitions
Leading up to the bloodless Velvet Revolution in Czechoslovakia, underground musicians were integral to spreading anti-government sentiment, and the group Plastic People of the Universe were hugely influenced by Frank Zappa.
When Vaclav Havel elected as president of newly liberated Czechoslovakia, his administration offered Zappa a position as a cultural ambassador. Unfortunately, during the PMRC hearings, Zappa insulted the wrong member of the organization – secretary of state James Baker’s wife, Susan Baker. The secretary of state made it clear that there was no choice but to rescind the offer made to Zappa.
In 1991, Zappa also contacted two Washington D.C. consultants to explore the possibility of running for president of the United States.