Posted on 10/07/2015 9:56:09 PM PDT by dayglored
Gail Zappa, wife of Frank Zappa and executrix of the Zappa Family Trust, has died. She was 70. A cause of death has not been revealed, though TMZ reported she had had a long battle with lung cancer. Zappa, "departed this earth peacefully at her home ... surrounded by her children," according to a statement from the Zappa Family Trust.
"Gail will forever be identified as a key figure in the creative renaissance that is Laurel Canyon," the statement says. "But more than any singular accomplishment, she defined herself in her personal relationships, happiest when surrounded by loved ones and artists, often one in the same. The memories she leaves behind are indeed her own art form. Her searing intelligence, unforgettable smile, wild thicket of hair and trailing black velvets leave a blur in her wake."
After her prolific husband died of prostate cancer in 1993, Gail kept Frank's recordings in the public, putting out dozens of posthumous albums and judiciously licensing his image where appropriate. Earlier this year, the Zappa family announced that the couple's son Ahmet would be in charge of the Trust.
Gail, whose full maiden name was Adelaide Gail Sloatman, was born on January 1st, 1945, the daughter of a nuclear weapons research physicist with the U.S. Navy, according to Zappa biographer Barry Miles. She lived with her family in London as a teenager and got a job as a secretary for the Office of Naval Research and Development rather than attend college....
(Excerpt) Read more at rollingstone.com ...
Modern music ping?
One of my favorite lead guitar solos— Zappa’s Willie the Pimp— Capt Beefheart at vocals.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hft8AZVlBGs
Loved Zappa’s music. Beefheart’s too. They are missed
They got married in 1967, and were still married in 1993 when Frank died of prostate cancer at age 52. That’s 26 years together, and only limited by his passing.
Hot Rats remains one of the most interesting and innovative — and underappreciated — albums of all time, IMO.
In my opinion ... amazingness died out around the mid 70's and everything and body (myself included) just kind of 'blahhed' into the next phase(s) of life
I don't know if it's me or the times or what, but what I'd consider exceptional now are the talkers that formulate thought so easily
I keep waiting for Wm F Buckley Jr to resurrect
Wonder how she felt about all the groupies Frank indulged in.
Yeah, best song on that album by far. Loved all iterations of Zappa but especially the early stuff with the original Mothers. Also playing on Hot Rats was the great electric violinist Jean Luc Ponty who I saw in concert twice.
Saw Zappa live when he had Beefheart for the Bongo Fury tour. Really awesome, loved that album too. Saw him when he had the great guitarist Steven Vie in the band for a New Years eve show. Really great times were had.
>sigh<
What a New Years show that must have been
Lol, yup....one that he banged was my ex-girl friend’s sister. I drove my Gf & her sister over to a concert he put on in Boston back in the 80s & we deposited her sister into Frank’s waiting arms after the show.
Try some of the earlier stuff with the original Mothers. too many to mention all the titles but well worth looking up. Takes some getting used to as all 'av ant gard' music does (it just grows on you the more you listen to it)
On another note one of my all time favorites is a jazz album called "The Grand Wazoo". If you liked Hot Rats it's right down your alley.
As a lifelong musician who plays several instruments I have a musical mind which I think is a prerequisite for appreciating music from Zappa and Beefheart.
Yup, it was amazing.
I guess Dweezil and Moon Unit just inherited some money.
I saw the Mothers of Invention in concert in NYC in the early ‘70’s. The warm-up band was Sha-Na-Na. It was the most memorable show I’ve ever seen.
Yeh Zappa music was definitely an acquired taste. He was quite prolific for sure. Musical genius mind with a wacky bent.
August 7, 1971. Pauley Pavilion. Upper deck.
Just Another Band From LA. Ansley Dunbar on drums. Flo and Eddie.
Best concert I ever saw.
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