Dr. BP
That is a great story. Would love to sit down with you over a couple beers and hear about it all.
You have no idea how Frank influenced me.
Really alone in small Michigan town, my buddy’s older brother came home from college with vinyl Joe’s Garage.
From that moment I devoured all things Zappa. ...but you have to understand back then, finding a Zappa record was like trying to get your hands on a rare Led Belly album.
It wasn’t until I got to Michigan Tech and went into their music library that I found Cruisin’ with Ruben and the Jets.
“For You” was my wedding song!
Rico hit and Frank started putting it all out on CD. Explosion! Billy the Mountain. Zoot Alures... everything!
Weasle’s ripped by flesh. evertything!!
Great Eddie!
A good friend ran the “underground” FM station in Milwaukee. One day he called me and asked me to stop by after teaching at a music store. He knew I was a huge Zappa fan, all the way back to the first album. I walk into John’s living room, and there’s Frank sitting on the sofa! John had to go to work at the station, WZMF, and he tossed me a credit card and asked if I could show Frank around town. Not for just a day, but three days! I piled Frank and his bodyguard John into my Manta, and away we went.
Interesting. Frank was pretty quiet, trying to figure out if I was a jerk I guess. Took him to a club that I played at often. The owner asked if I could get Frank to do a meet and greet line. Frank said yes. A very nubile young thing asked me, “Is that really Mr. Zeppelin?” “Yup” says I. And I introduced them; “Frank, this is Donna. Donna, this is Mr. Zeppelin.” Frank took it in stride, but his bodyguard, John, totally lost it. Had to turn his back with his fist in his mouth! For the next three days, John and I called Frank Mr. Zeppelin. It was hilarious!