The "I-Was-There" Thread

[Barry]

Let's hear some stories from you lucky bastards that got to see FZ live.
(Inspired in part by this thread.)

[Wannabeard]

Well I haven't had a chance to see him, was born to late. But here's some pics from a concert in copenhagen:
http://www.dk-web.com/zappa/

http://home1.stofanet.dk/ole.steen.petersen/

[SOFA]

Memories of the two shows I attended are a bit clouded by the years, and the recreational chemicals that I indulged in at the time. I believe the years were '74 & 75. The first band was with Napi and new drummer Bozzio. The second one was with Estrada & Jobson.
(I do recall Napi cavorting around the stage twirling a 3 foot long foam rubber penis...)
I have a better recollection of the show that I DIDN'T attend: the '88 band in Muskegon Michigan. I'm still kicking myself after all these years for missing that one...

[Studio Tan]

I visited one show in Copenhagen - KB-hallen
Sunday 21. nov 1971  08.00 pm
Door B  Grp 2 Row 3

Still got the ticket. The price was 48.00 Dkr, about $ 5.

The sad bit about it is, I wasn't that into Zappa then and I can't even remeber the songs, partly because we were a bit stoned at the time.
I do remember tho that Zappa got pissed of by the audience at one time and played two or three songs with his back to the people.

[black zappath]

First time ever was Montreal, Qc, Oct. '76. I was fairly new to Zappa then, an averagely big jazz-rock snob who had an immensely sincere appreciation for the era spanning Uncle Meat to One Size Fits All. Of course since, for some reason, I was expecting something like Roxy & Elsewhere as my first time, I stood and pouted for most of that specific gig! (which goes for most of my pals too)
Strangely, of the Zappa concerts I went to, this particular one is perhaps the one I would most love to listen to again with today's ears!
...After that was late '78, then late '80. I know Colaiuta was a genius, no doubt about it, but I never was THAT crazy about those particular line-ups, the ways in which they were used and the material they played.
...Then came the late '81 revolution, which blew away everything from the recent years AFAIAC, including Zappa's own playing! That concert (Montreal, Nov. eight) and tour was Zappa's (band, electric combo composer and lead guitar amokness) top!! You could see on stage that he was excited about his new young prodigys and how they supported him. Had that crazy, wild gleam in his eyes when soloing... I remember him in interviews of the day even boasting about his own new style of guitar soloing!! Have memories also of the strange ways he conducted and moved, esp. in Drowning Witch, during that fast 11/16 break, right after the witch laughter, he did some stiff-bodied, robot-like conducting antics that were hilarious!

[Barry]

First time ever was Montreal, Qc, Oct. '76.

Hi black zappath,

There's no mention of this gig in (my version of) the Zappa-list. Nearest date is Nov 10 '76. Maybe that's the one you attended?

(Yippeee, finally: a practical use for my FZ gigs list! )

[black zappath]

Right Barry, that's the one!

[guacamole]

(I do recall Napi cavorting around the stage twirling a 3 foot long foam rubber penis...)

Hmmmmmmmm, perhaps this explains a certain KUR persons "interest" in Mr Murphy Brock.

Saw Zappa twice in London 17/06/80 and 18/06/82.
First concert I was sitting fairly far back in the hall underneath a leaking roof, pointed this out to one of the stewards and got moved to a seat about 30 feet from the stage. Chemical Amusement Aid was partaken of and the opening number - Chunga's Revenge - was the filthiest sounding guitar that I've ever heard.

The second ocassion I must admit was a bit of a disappointment - this was the band with Vai in it and I couldn't really take to his style which I found a bit wearing after a while - the band seemed to rattle through numbers as if they were trying to cram as many songs as they could into the show ( a bit like sitting at a level crossing watching the blur of an express train hurtle past ).

After that, (horrid admission time, shock horror) I became a bit fed up with Zappa and regretably never saw him again.

[sharleena]

(I do recall Napi cavorting around the stage twirling a 3 foot long foam rubber penis...)

Hmmmmmmmm, perhaps this explains a certain KUR persons "interest" in Mr Murphy Brock.

No, REALLY, YOU THINK sooo...  

[Lonesome Cowboy Squirt]

Yep.  I was there:  June 9, 1988 at the Palasport in Padova, Italy.  The Palasport is a relatively small venue with an intimate atmosphere.  My buddy and I actually got to meet Ike before the show.  He was hanging out behind the stadium and we called, ranted and raved until he came over.  We spent about 10 -15 minutes with him talking.  It felt quite good to know he had no qualms about talking to a couple of snot-nosed teenagers.  Sure, he acted cooler than cool, but he took us seriously and upon request, he gave us a couple of guitar picks as souvenirs.  

You betchum!  Inside I was right up front and got to enjoy all its splendor.  As I understand, at about that time, the '88 band was deep in the doo-doo with all their disagreements and just on the brink of self-destruction, but nobody onstage showed it for one minute - truly professional.

No, they didn't play any of the special "let's-fuck-with-Jimmy-Swaggart" renditions of Beatles or FZ songs, but they DID play Ravel's "Bolero" and "Stairway to Heaven" as an encore.  Both left me speechless. Wowie Zowie!

I've seen quite a few concerts of all sorts, but it is no exaggeration to say it was no doubt, hands down the BEST show I ever saw.

Aw, fuck!  I miss you, Frankie...

[yazzy]

i was on one show : Graz 29th may '88, but i dont remember much, because that year was my "favorite" year, ( sex,drogs & r'n'r).
i remember just Bolero from that show.

[Z Woof]

Exactly, like usual the first time was the best, it was fantastic.  I didn't know what to expect I was just 17 and in Kansas Kansas Kansas City in 1971.  Very small crowd of about 200 people and the stage light was blue.  I remember everybody screaming for their special songs.  But Frank whipped us in line like a pack of poodles.  Zappa zed, "Hey - do I look like a jutebox that you put in a nickle or a dime and I spew forth?"

A hush fell over the crowd and FZ splained hisself, "We will play the songs we want to play and a bunch of them are new."  There must have been other people on stage but Zappa stole the show.

Arf, Arf blue Zappa spew blended with the old and the new.  Pow, Pow, Pow, my mind was totally controlled and stuffed into some zomby mold.  Dynomite machine I'm still waiting for my water to turn green.  

Frank Zappa will never die.  FZ will be more famous in 300 years from now than he is today, especially in Berlin, der sausage makers.  And Antwurp too.  Be alive in 2305 and you will see it's true, no jive.  It's just a matter of TIME before Zappa, being so bold, has the whole world bambooSOLD.  It's bewildering and bazaar.  Besides, EU people are so easy to hoze.        

[pappap999]

well you asked!!  I've told tis story a few time here but here we go.  I was living in the village in NY mid sixties.  one day I'm working in the cafe a go-go where groups like big brother...and the lovin spoonful were playing. I cleaned tables but the big deal was this back set of stairs that led up to a theater named THE GARRICK THEATER and I would go upstairs several times a night or day if practice was being held and there I freaked out on the original MOInwith ZAPPA  they often practiced longer than some of their shows. to explain==on the box office a hand written notice $3.00 to get in no refunds. then on the bottom in tiny writing it said something like {I'M 55 now since 12/14/04 so let me remember it the best I can]  the band leader frank zappa may or may not show up--there is no promise of one song or a lengthy concert.   see, ZAPPA would play a song sometimes a few notes other times it may last an hour.  but other times and these were most he would play for hours a real trip.  anyone was subject to play the audience often became part of the show if they could play they would hand them an instrument and say play.  this for me went on about 4-5 mos. soon zappa left for higher ground. but imagine hearing freakout  and much more live everyday. never the same twice. well I hope you don't mind my blabbering but I have been to monsoons of his concerts and have to say I'm sorry that he is gone but what a legacy of life this man left esp. for me.

[Magical Pig]

I had the pleasure of seeing Frank just the once (due to my age) in 1988 at the NEC in Birmingham 1988. Still got the ticket (think it was £9) and have the boot too - brings back great memories and not bad quality either. Just a pity no tracks were ever "officially" released on any of FZ's later live offerings from the BTHW self destructing tour. I believe this was the first time Mike Keneally wore a hat (thrown from the crowd) thus starting the ball rolling for him to wear them and call one of his own albums "Hat"? Also remember being very stoned......