Frank Zappa's Widow Gail Zappa Dead at 70 (susp. lung cancer)

Rolling Stone ^ | Oct 7, 2015 | Kory Grow

[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....

[MarchonDC09122009]

I am sorry for all of our loss, too.
Frank was a innovative genius with a Great keen sense of humor.
These are lackluster times compared to back then.
I’m taking solice knowing that work will live on, as future musicians discover and adopt his style, tastey guitar riffs and wit.
Peace to you.

[lee martell]

Her daughter Moon Unit had but one hit record, Valley Girls.
That one recording has inspired other music and full length films. She was portraying a concept.

[lee martell]

Another powerful source of Laurel Canyon talent and creativity would be Joni Mitchell. She dedicated an album to the people she met and made music with. The album was Ladies of the Canyon.

[wardaddy]

Ingenue cute to be sure....I wonder if she was in Montreaux at the fire?

How time flies....

I bet she had a “real poncho”

I wonder if she had a sister named Dinah.....

God love her

Frank Zappa broke the mold....

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

Thank you. I’m just sitting contemplating her loss. I took Frank around Milwaukee for a few days, and we had a great time! Gail used to call anytime Frank was playing nearby. She seemed to be a very nice nice person.

[wardaddy]

Technically that was her dads record no?

On an album very early 80s

His only real chart hit

[wardaddy]

Sweet Pic

[PGalt]

Interesting thread. Condolences to family and friends of Gail and Frank Zappa. My cousin Steve (RIP) was a huge Zappa fan. I enjoyed Zappa.

[equaviator]

Twenty Small Cigars

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sj0tKgTcS80

[equaviator]

“many 1960’s Hippie musicians (such as Frank Zappa)”

Hippies may have loved Frank Zappa but FZ didn’t like hippies all that much. In fact, he mocked them in his musical material and stage performances.

[Gay State Conservative]

Although the 60’s was the best decade,*by far*,for rock,folk,Motown,etc I've never had a whole lot of respect for those who made it.And although many,including some here,would disagree I firmly believe that anyone who'd name their kids “Dweezil” and “Moon Unit” is,at the very least,deeply disturbed...if not a filthy pig.

[dennisw]

I never liked Zappa;s music or understood his appeal.... oh well. Then you had Captain Beef Heart who was Zappa on steroids,

[mkleesma]

Absolutely Free - possibly his best work:

Frank Zappa Full Albums:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLt-97eQ5A7fpvracdpWya75_SfxqNViJm

[Jack Hammer]

Call any vegetable, call it by name.
Call any vegetable when you get off the train.
Call any vegetable and the chances are good
That the vegetable will respond to you.

Voices from long ago.....

[mumblypeg]

Joni Mitchell, Zappa, Ray Manzarek of the Doors—all great jazz musicians.
I saw Joni in concert with Tom Scott and L.A. Express.

[X-spurt]

Zactly!

To this day I still look around for the yellow snow.

[af_vet_1981]

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.

I also saw them; I was unimpressed by Zappa and MOI. There were so many bands out there then that were more listenable.

[real saxophonist]

Bump

[dmz]

But apparently he drew the line at hard drugs.

<><><

Any drugs, actually.

He fired Lowell George (who went on to form Little Feat) after Lowell wrote the song Willin.

At least that’s the story Lowell used to tell at shows.

[zipper]

Yes, that would be consistent.

---

Willin’

By Little Feat

I been warped by the rain, driven by the snow
I’m drunk and dirty don’t ya know, and I’m still, willin’
Out on the road late at night, Seen my pretty Alice in every head light
Alice, Dallas Alice

I’ve been from Tucson to Tucumcari
Tehachapi to Tonapah
Driven every kind of rig that’s ever been made
Driven the back roads so I wouldn’t get weighed
And if you give me, weed, whites, and wine
And you show me a sign
I’ll be willin’, to be movin’

I’ve been kicked by the wind, robbed by the sleet
Had my head stoved in, but I’m still on my feet and I’m still, willin’
Now I smuggled some smokes and folks from Mexico
Baked by the sun, every time I go to Mexico, and I’m still

And I been from Tucson to Tucumcari
Tehachapi to Tonapah
Driven every kind of rig that’s ever been made
Driven the back roads so I wouldn’t get weighed
And if you give me, weed, whites, and wine
And you show me a sign
I’ll be willin’, to be movin