Zappa In New York – 40th anniversary edition – 5 CD's

Ready for pre-orders. The Frank Zappa live album Zappa In New York will be re-released as a limited edition 5 CD set.

Disc 1 contains the original album, yes the censored version that was first released in March 1978. Unfortunately it is not the very first edition that was put out on the market in 1977 in very limited quantity. Some copies leaked out in stores in the UK before it got withdrawn.

The 1977 edition included the track Punky's Whips which was almost 11 minutes long. The song describes drummer Terry Bozzio's affection for Punky Meadows, member of the group Angel. On the 1978 release the record company Warner Brothers left it out since they thought it would be bad for business. As a result of that the new edition of the album (side A and B) had a slightly changed song order to balance out the length of the LP sides.

In the 90's Zappa released a remixed version of the album on a 2 CD set, including four extra tracks, one of them Punky's Whips.

Disc 2-5 of the 5 CD box include "bonus concert performances". This material will probably be the main reason why fans will ever buy this release.

Check out the entire track listing and other details here!

And...there is also a vinyl edition on 3 LP's. Check details here!

Zappa hologram tour rehearsals set for March

Guitarist Mike Keneally (who was in Frank Zappa's band in 1988) writes this: "We start rehearsals for The Bizarre World of Frank Zappa in March. We'll start announcing dates very soon."

And he continues:
"I'll say a lot more about it later, but basically, take whatever your expectations about what a Zappa hologram tour might be, and abandon them, because this is going to be an experience unlike anything that's happened to you before. From a musical standpoint, I'm delighted to be joining Joe Travers, Scott Thunes, Ray White, Robert Martin and Ed Mann in bringing Frank's amazing music to you (some of which has never been heard before), and from a visual standpoint, we are going to present something you simply won't see coming. Not gonna say more than that for now, but prepare to be truly affected by this experience."

Frank's son Ahmet:
" I’m thrilled that we’ll be doing 100 + dates around the world."

This hologram tour – what's it all about? Click here!

Bob Zappa has passed away

Bob Zappa, brother of Frank Zappa, passed away last night. Bob published two books about his and Frank's childhood and adult lives.
Bob worked as an assistant for Frank in the 60's but left the business for studies and to join the marines. Later he became a publisher. 

In book #1, Frankie & Bobby, Growing Up Zappa (2015), Bob tells the story of their early years, about the many times the family moved and about Frank's bad relationship with their father: 

"His relationship with our father was very difficult for him." (Bob Zappa, Sveriges Radio interview 2015)

Book #2, Frankie & Bobby, The Rest Of Our Story (2017), describes how the brothers see each other more and more seldom and suddenly Bobby can't even get through to Frank since Frank's wife Gail acts like a gate keeper. One day she calls him up just to tell him that Frank has died and the funeral has already taken place. 

The book ends on a sad note, BUT shortly after the book was released Bob reconnected with Frank's kids Moon and Dweezil.

Charles Robert "Bob" or "Bobby" Zappa died at the age of 75.

25 years ago today – we still miss you Frank!

Today it is 25 years since Frank Zappa passed away. Today fans and old sidemen pay tribute to Frank on different Zappa and music forums on the internet.

Bass player Arthur Barrow writes on Facebook about the last time he saw Frank: in 1990

"It was a great visit, even though it was tinged with sadness. I stayed there until 1:30 in the morning - four hours, just Frank and me hanging out together with no interruptions."

Bob Zappa, one of Frank's brothers re-publishes what he wrote on Facebook on December 4, 2017, which is an excerpt from his book. It describes the very short call from Frank's wife Gail Zappa on December 5, 1993. She simply told him that Frank was dead and that there would not be a funeral since he had already been buried.

Drummer Morgan Ågren:

"On this day 1993, Frank Zappa left us. Still empty without him... "

Denny Walley, guitarist who played with Frank on several tours in the 70's has published a photo on Facebook of him and Frank.

"This photo was taken in Franks studio several months before he died. 
R.I.P. friend"

Pauline Butcher, author of Freak Out! My Life With Frank Zappa:

"...as if one could ever forget him. A myriad of memories remain."

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In memoriam:
Frank Zappa, December 21, 1940 – December 4, 1993.