I have been a huge fan of Zappa, but have also long been frustrated by the dichotomy between outstanding musical creativity on the one hand and the barely-in-High School theatrical aspects… I saw Zappa and the so-called ‘New Mothers’, booked by Bill graham at Winterland in San Francisco, on New Year’s weekend in (I think) 1972-73 (I was 19). The band was Jean-Luc Ponty, Ian and Ruth Underwood, George Duke, Ralph Humphrey, and Tom & Bruce Fowler. There was no singing, and no theatricals - they played two sets, two and one half hours each - all instrumental music of great power. The set list was of the Hot Rats-Grand Wazoo era, with some foreshadowing of songs that didn’t hit the rotation until later, like Inca Roads.
They stretched out, to say the least. Frank conducted the band with hand signals, and the band turned on a dime during complex ensemble passages. The highlight for me was Frank playing mallet duets with Ruth Underwood. To say I was blown away is an understatement, and I looked for (and hoped for) future bands and albums that took this path… There were glimpses in later albums such as Live in New York, but I came to feel it was (for Frank) a road increasingly not traveled. There was a lot of other music in the air, and eventually I found everything I was looking for in jazz and classical musics of that time… But I will always remember that concert, and the overwhelming effect it had on me. Your essay brought back these memories...
hey vinnie, that is a beautiful and touching personal story... thanks for sharing it!
on the topic of zappa, i think you hit on zappa exactly right - the blues.. all the rest can be a pleasant distraction, but deep down it is the same for all of us and what contributes to making one a creative artist..
i was never a zappa fanatic, but grew up on the hot rats album, and moved on to the grand wazoo... the wazoo recording is my favourite of franks, but i never followed him really closely.. i tended to blow off aspects of his humour, as i was more interested in the music... he was a fascinating composer, but the comedy was a distraction for me.. that probably explains why i didn't follow him as closely as the hard core zappa fans... i read the bio on him from barry miles and enjoyed it.. apparently zappa didn't like that bio and i partly understand why.... it gave me more insight into zappa though..
the black page was often mentioned in drummer land... i didn't pay much attention to it, but frank always had amazing drummers playing with him.. i got to see him in a 10 piece group with chad wackerman in maybe early 1980's... great show! i got to meet wackerman briefly in 1992 at a jazz festival here in canada when he was playing with allan holdsworth.. we opened for them... personal history..
Poignant and lovely, your memories of the music that spoke to you in your teen years is a universal message. For me, the harmonies of The Beatles and the Beach Boys were soon pushed to the background by the "truths" played by Muddy Waters, BB King, Albert King, John Coltrane, and others (not surprisingly, my favorite Coltrane Lp is "Coltrane Plays the Blues"). Our lives are a mix of joy and sorrow but the music rarely lets us down (or lets go)! Thanks as always, Vinnie––be strong, be safe!
Wow. Bet that was difficult to put "on paper." Sorry for your troubles, and thanks for sharing. If it's any consolation, my wife and I have been separated for 10 years now, and it does get less painful with time.
Beautifu, touching article, especially about "Watermelon un Easter Hay" playing as you left your former apartment.. Some of my high school friends and I would drive around, singing along to Sheikh Yerbouti. But "Watermelon in Easter Hay" still resonates with me.
I was really into Zappa after hearing Hot Rats as an 11 year old back in 69 on my big brothers record player. Followed him through the mighty early 70’s albums until Zoot Allures doused my enthusiasm I’d gotten into Jazz after hearing A Love Supreme and Birds of Fire on the same day. I figured this is grown up music. I never looked back.
Had this one in my email box waiting for the right time to read only because the subject was Zappa. I got a lot more than I expected on this Christmas Eve morning. Seriously touching post here, Vinnie. @james766036 already summed it up beautifully, so I'll just add that it reminded me of how grateful I am to have Zappa's music in my life through my own struggles (been a fan since I heard Hot Rats at 13).
Oh man, Mr. Sperazza. This one got me in the feels. Two hours before reading your piece, I got a text from my ex-wife asking if I wanted a piece of childhood furniture that I left at her--our--house when we split. That was 18 years ago and though I have happily moved on, the pain of that rupture will never go away. My heart aches for you and what you are going through, and banal and insincere as it might sound, it is temporary. Be gentle with yourself. You'll have no trouble with this. The warm humanity and great-heartedness that glow from your posts guarantee that. So please continue. I'm pushing 70, a failed drummer, eternal drum stan and longtime listener who learns something vital every time you drop a piece. Not that you need another subject, but spare a word for Clifford Jarvis someday, will you? And please come back to Cleveland soon. I hadn't resumed going out in 2022 so I missed your hits with Ember and Michael in 2022, though I was happy to write about them, and the Ethan hit in November fell on the night before my birthday. My wife had plans for me. SO I owe you a drink. Maybe three. I wish you all the best. Music heals.
I loved your text and enjoyed a lot reading it and revisiting the LPs today. I feel personally attached to “Why Does It Hurt When I Pee?” (I even made the question my motto because of common prostate problems; Zappa’s, much more worrying, luckily for me…). Anyway, thanks for your thoughtfull and emotional revision of Joe’s Garage.
Amazing article! The first Zappa album I heard was Joe’s Garage in 1991.
Oddly, I was obsessed with Vinnie Colaiuta’s playing on Sting’s Ten Summoner’s Tales. Modern Drummer magazine did a feature / Interview on Colaiuta at that time that included a list of other recommended recordings featuring him. The top one was Joe’s Garage.
I bought it right away and was hooked. I’m still a Zappa and Colaiuta fanatic today.
Last Thursday I went to see local Baltimore musicians play a Zappa tribute show in celebration of his birthday. They played a ton of songs from Joe’s Garage as part of their two sets (Joe’s Garage, Keep It Greasy, Lucille, Why Does It Hurt When I Pee). I was pleasantly surprised to see the mostly younger crowd WAY into it. Dancing and even singing along. The Zappa legend lives on….
You, sir, are hell of a writer, but also very inside the music, as we already know. This Zappa account of Joe’s Garage, is above and beyond. It will connect with many of us who have made a similar journey through his music and life. The artistry and the offensive, the blues and reality all swimming around through Zappa’s head and out to us. Awesome essay.
Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. Thank you for reminding me about Frank, my own divorce, the power of decency and Brooklyn apartments. One Love from Seattle.
On the day Zappa died in 1993, when you called the 800-PUMPKIN hotline, there was no message. It was just "Watermelon In Easter Hay" in an endless loop.
Great essay Vin. Bravo
Thanks Ethan…
Beautiful essay, Vinnie - Thanks!
I have been a huge fan of Zappa, but have also long been frustrated by the dichotomy between outstanding musical creativity on the one hand and the barely-in-High School theatrical aspects… I saw Zappa and the so-called ‘New Mothers’, booked by Bill graham at Winterland in San Francisco, on New Year’s weekend in (I think) 1972-73 (I was 19). The band was Jean-Luc Ponty, Ian and Ruth Underwood, George Duke, Ralph Humphrey, and Tom & Bruce Fowler. There was no singing, and no theatricals - they played two sets, two and one half hours each - all instrumental music of great power. The set list was of the Hot Rats-Grand Wazoo era, with some foreshadowing of songs that didn’t hit the rotation until later, like Inca Roads.
They stretched out, to say the least. Frank conducted the band with hand signals, and the band turned on a dime during complex ensemble passages. The highlight for me was Frank playing mallet duets with Ruth Underwood. To say I was blown away is an understatement, and I looked for (and hoped for) future bands and albums that took this path… There were glimpses in later albums such as Live in New York, but I came to feel it was (for Frank) a road increasingly not traveled. There was a lot of other music in the air, and eventually I found everything I was looking for in jazz and classical musics of that time… But I will always remember that concert, and the overwhelming effect it had on me. Your essay brought back these memories...
hey vinnie, that is a beautiful and touching personal story... thanks for sharing it!
on the topic of zappa, i think you hit on zappa exactly right - the blues.. all the rest can be a pleasant distraction, but deep down it is the same for all of us and what contributes to making one a creative artist..
i was never a zappa fanatic, but grew up on the hot rats album, and moved on to the grand wazoo... the wazoo recording is my favourite of franks, but i never followed him really closely.. i tended to blow off aspects of his humour, as i was more interested in the music... he was a fascinating composer, but the comedy was a distraction for me.. that probably explains why i didn't follow him as closely as the hard core zappa fans... i read the bio on him from barry miles and enjoyed it.. apparently zappa didn't like that bio and i partly understand why.... it gave me more insight into zappa though..
the black page was often mentioned in drummer land... i didn't pay much attention to it, but frank always had amazing drummers playing with him.. i got to see him in a 10 piece group with chad wackerman in maybe early 1980's... great show! i got to meet wackerman briefly in 1992 at a jazz festival here in canada when he was playing with allan holdsworth.. we opened for them... personal history..
Great story James!
Poignant and lovely, your memories of the music that spoke to you in your teen years is a universal message. For me, the harmonies of The Beatles and the Beach Boys were soon pushed to the background by the "truths" played by Muddy Waters, BB King, Albert King, John Coltrane, and others (not surprisingly, my favorite Coltrane Lp is "Coltrane Plays the Blues"). Our lives are a mix of joy and sorrow but the music rarely lets us down (or lets go)! Thanks as always, Vinnie––be strong, be safe!
Right on Richard!
Wow. Bet that was difficult to put "on paper." Sorry for your troubles, and thanks for sharing. If it's any consolation, my wife and I have been separated for 10 years now, and it does get less painful with time.
Was tough but knew you’d appreciate it…
Beautifu, touching article, especially about "Watermelon un Easter Hay" playing as you left your former apartment.. Some of my high school friends and I would drive around, singing along to Sheikh Yerbouti. But "Watermelon in Easter Hay" still resonates with me.
I was really into Zappa after hearing Hot Rats as an 11 year old back in 69 on my big brothers record player. Followed him through the mighty early 70’s albums until Zoot Allures doused my enthusiasm I’d gotten into Jazz after hearing A Love Supreme and Birds of Fire on the same day. I figured this is grown up music. I never looked back.
Had this one in my email box waiting for the right time to read only because the subject was Zappa. I got a lot more than I expected on this Christmas Eve morning. Seriously touching post here, Vinnie. @james766036 already summed it up beautifully, so I'll just add that it reminded me of how grateful I am to have Zappa's music in my life through my own struggles (been a fan since I heard Hot Rats at 13).
Nailed it! Glad I could help, glad you enjoyed 🙏
Oh man, Mr. Sperazza. This one got me in the feels. Two hours before reading your piece, I got a text from my ex-wife asking if I wanted a piece of childhood furniture that I left at her--our--house when we split. That was 18 years ago and though I have happily moved on, the pain of that rupture will never go away. My heart aches for you and what you are going through, and banal and insincere as it might sound, it is temporary. Be gentle with yourself. You'll have no trouble with this. The warm humanity and great-heartedness that glow from your posts guarantee that. So please continue. I'm pushing 70, a failed drummer, eternal drum stan and longtime listener who learns something vital every time you drop a piece. Not that you need another subject, but spare a word for Clifford Jarvis someday, will you? And please come back to Cleveland soon. I hadn't resumed going out in 2022 so I missed your hits with Ember and Michael in 2022, though I was happy to write about them, and the Ethan hit in November fell on the night before my birthday. My wife had plans for me. SO I owe you a drink. Maybe three. I wish you all the best. Music heals.
Regarding Mr. Jarvis:
https://vinniesperrazza.substack.com/p/chasin-the-bird-clifford-jarvis
Thank you John! Means so much. See you in Cleveland in (hopefully) 2025!
I loved your text and enjoyed a lot reading it and revisiting the LPs today. I feel personally attached to “Why Does It Hurt When I Pee?” (I even made the question my motto because of common prostate problems; Zappa’s, much more worrying, luckily for me…). Anyway, thanks for your thoughtfull and emotional revision of Joe’s Garage.
Amazing article! The first Zappa album I heard was Joe’s Garage in 1991.
Oddly, I was obsessed with Vinnie Colaiuta’s playing on Sting’s Ten Summoner’s Tales. Modern Drummer magazine did a feature / Interview on Colaiuta at that time that included a list of other recommended recordings featuring him. The top one was Joe’s Garage.
I bought it right away and was hooked. I’m still a Zappa and Colaiuta fanatic today.
Last Thursday I went to see local Baltimore musicians play a Zappa tribute show in celebration of his birthday. They played a ton of songs from Joe’s Garage as part of their two sets (Joe’s Garage, Keep It Greasy, Lucille, Why Does It Hurt When I Pee). I was pleasantly surprised to see the mostly younger crowd WAY into it. Dancing and even singing along. The Zappa legend lives on….
You, sir, are hell of a writer, but also very inside the music, as we already know. This Zappa account of Joe’s Garage, is above and beyond. It will connect with many of us who have made a similar journey through his music and life. The artistry and the offensive, the blues and reality all swimming around through Zappa’s head and out to us. Awesome essay.
Thanks Lynne!
Very moving, Vinnie. This is the best essay I've read in some time.
Much appreciated Peter..
Beautiful.
Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. Thank you for reminding me about Frank, my own divorce, the power of decency and Brooklyn apartments. One Love from Seattle.
On the day Zappa died in 1993, when you called the 800-PUMPKIN hotline, there was no message. It was just "Watermelon In Easter Hay" in an endless loop.
I remember learning of Frank's death on All Things Considered. Of all things. His voice of articulate outrage is missed.