Laurie Anderson
Laurie Anderson (b. June 5, 1947) is an American avant-garde singer, violinist, electronic composer, poet, film director and performance artist. She is best-known for her unlikely hit song O Superman (1981).
Anderson was married to Lou Reed. She has collaborated with Adrian Belew and John Zorn.
Frank Zappa
Anderson performed at the The Nova Convention: Entermedia Theater, December 1978, where Frank Zappa also turned up for a performance.
Frank Zappa quoted from O Superman during Lonesome Cowboy Burt (Swaggart Version) and The Torture Never Stops, Part 2. Mike Keneally commented: "Those readers unfamiliar with Laurie Anderson's work might not realize that we're parodying her in the middle section of 'Lonesome'---'Sharkey' is a character in several of her songs. I suggested including the relentless "ha ha ha ha ha ha" vocal part, ripped off from her song 'O Superman', and I came to regret it on some evenings when Frank decided to keep the section going on forever."
