[pirogen]

>he actually preferred working with record companies that had conservative, old, cigar-chomping executives

I think it's more of a general observation than his personal "preference". Zappa only worked with two record companies early in his career: MGM and Warner Bros., both of which he ended up in a bunch of legal battles with, so in mid-70's he started his own label (Zappa Records, then Barking Pumpkin Records) he exclusively released his music with.

"I prove to you that I am bad enough to get into hell, because I have been through it! I have seen it! It has happened to me! Remember: I was signed for Warner Brothers for eight fucking years!" -- FZ to the devil in "Baby Snakes" movie.