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Lost Frank Zappa college radio interview from 1967

This radio interview with Frank Zappa from November 13, 1967, was discovered back in 2017 after being thought lost. The quality is exceptional.
It is one of the more insightful interactions with Zappa. He explains the nuances of live vs recorded music, challenges in album releases, societal critiques in his work, and his strategic approach to music promotion and artistic expression.
Zappa reflects on The Mothers of Invention's initial '67 European tour, his collaboration with The Monkees, and his surprisingly positive views on The Beatles.
Conducted by Joe Doll, a DJ at WCBN, the University of Michigan's student-run community radio station, the interview was thought lost but was found nearly five decades later.
00:00:00 - Live vs. Recorded Music
Frank Zappa contrasts live shows and recordings, highlighting variations in repertoire and the emphasis on visuals and improvisation in live performances.
00:02:01 - Album Release Issues
Challenges faced by "We're Only In It For The Money" with its album cover, drawing parallels to past album release complications.
00:03:17 - Audience and Misconceptions
Exploring the demographic of Zappa's audience, common misconceptions about the band, and their music's perceived bitterness.
00:04:06 - Sales and Self-Promotion
The Mothers of Invention's album sales success is linked to their image control and involvement in advertising.
00:07:07 - Zappa's Advertising Background
Zappa discusses his advertising background and how it has helped the group control their public image and promotion.
00:09:50 - MGM Records and Debut Success
The story of how The Mothers of Invention signed with MGM Records and found unexpected success with their minimally promoted debut album.
00:12:00 - Promotion vs. Content
Balancing promotion and musical content in record sales, and the importance of image control in the music industry.
00:13:39 - Eric Clapton's Influence
Zappa expresses appreciation for Eric Clapton's music, noting his unique blend of blues and improvisation.
00:15:46 - Musical Intent and Society
Zappa's music aims to challenge conventions and inspire societal questioning and proactive rebuilding.
00:18:17 - Artistic Versatility
Zappa's view on the fluidity between different art forms and the transferability of skills across creative disciplines.
00:19:30 - Musical Beginnings
Zappa reflects on his musical journey, starting with rhythm and blues, and the transition from instrumental to vocal music.
00:24:36 - Music and Social Issues
Zappa's perspective on music's role in expressing social discontent and protest, influenced by his socio-economic background.
00:26:20 - Religion and The Beatles
Zappa discusses the absurdity of organized religion and admires the Beatles' evolution in style and lifestyle.
00:29:03 - Future Music Trends
Speculation on future music trends, including potential shifts towards 'mechanical' music and changing youth culture.
00:30:10 - Band Dynamics
Insights into the personalities and backgrounds of The Mothers of Invention members, highlighting the group's unique dynamics.
00:31:02 - Closing Remarks
Final thoughts from Zappa and a promotion for the Grandy Ballroom in Detroit.
Original audio source from Joe Doll at joeut.weebly.com

Пікірлер: 36

  • @IsmJism
    @IsmJism2 ай бұрын

    ",,,Kids are so apathetic these days" - TRUE today as well; Aside from this assertion / observation, Frank was FREAKIN' genius

  • @splankhoon
    @splankhoon8 ай бұрын

    Amazing stuff! Thank you so much. Frank in his twenties and already more knowledgable about the 'biz' than most people in their entire life. The impact he must 've had back in the day is unimaginable.

  • @makeaguitarnoise
    @makeaguitarnoise8 ай бұрын

    Great find. I wish Frank was here today. What would he make of the insanity going on in the world today. He had a rare intelligence.

  • @MCROCOSM

    @MCROCOSM

    8 ай бұрын

    hes a fed

  • @m1losk1

    @m1losk1

    8 ай бұрын

    you're a nutcase@@MCROCOSM

  • @bobdobbs3178

    @bobdobbs3178

    8 ай бұрын

    Here's what Frank would say today: this is from the Bob Marshall interview (Oct.22, 1988): ionandbob.blogspot.com/2015/11/bob-marshall-frank-zappa-interview.html Bob Marshall: Maybe there are historical forces, ways of thinking that you tapped into and continued a tradition unconsciously. I mean, from the critic's point of view. I think it was Miles who was the first one who wrote about your repetition of motifs in his early articles in the late Sixties. I remember one of his questions from International Times where he asked "Is there an IDEA behind your work?". It was capitalized in the newspaper. And I think that's what I'm trying to get at. Frank Zappa: That's simple. It's that the Emperor's not wearing any clothes, never has, never will. BM: What is the Emperor? FZ: Fill in the blank. (laughs) BM: So the idea is that you're making a symbol that allows other people to participate in it. FZ: That's audience participation on a grand scale. It's like name your poison. Why, that's almost elegant. BM: What is? FZ: Structuring something the way that people get to participate in it by adding their missing ingredient. It's like, be your own catalyst.

  • @greenatom

    @greenatom

    8 ай бұрын

    @@MCROCOSM Source?

  • @pangeaproxima3681

    @pangeaproxima3681

    8 ай бұрын

    @@MCROCOSM Source?

  • @withoutdestination7840
    @withoutdestination78408 ай бұрын

    My oldest brother saw that gig at the Ford.

  • @henrydarker4314
    @henrydarker43148 ай бұрын

    Thanks Bob

  • @bobonzappa

    @bobonzappa

    8 ай бұрын

    We aim to please, Henry.

  • @henrydarker4314

    @henrydarker4314

    8 ай бұрын

    @@bobonzappa I've been enjoying all the chats. Saw Zappa ni the UK from 73 to 88. Talking's good ! !

  • @bobonzappa

    @bobonzappa

    8 ай бұрын

    @@henrydarker4314 that's great that you got to see those shows!

  • @pangeaproxima3681
    @pangeaproxima36818 ай бұрын

    _We do things with our hands and bodies on stage that don't record well..._ LMAO!

  • @rebeccacederholm1140
    @rebeccacederholm114013 күн бұрын

    Yeah, what would he think of today's shit. R.I.P.

  • @TheRudySchwartzProject
    @TheRudySchwartzProject3 ай бұрын

    We need at least eight million more KZread comments from people who think Frank would agree with everything they think if he were alive today. I'm certain that if he were alive today he'd agree with me that it's stupid to care about it. On the other hand, it's really important to get all of your opinions from Taylor Swift, Tucker Carlson, and whoever that guy is who reads your gas meter.

  • @warrenwightman4413
    @warrenwightman44138 ай бұрын

    Isn't that a great great interview what a guy

  • @1977sadhana
    @1977sadhana8 ай бұрын

    "It could be possible to rebuild society, you wouldn't have tear it down, it's possible the society could be rebuilt from where it is now" ........ Oh, And how the F*^k did he foretell Industrial in 1967? AND Skinhead? Makes humanity seem pretty dumb and predictable

  • @Royale_with_Cheeze
    @Royale_with_Cheeze8 ай бұрын

    From this same interview (on the MOFO 4-CD release) titled "Psychedelic Upholstery", but doesn't appear to be in this clip: *Eh, next step is that the kids'll all cut their hair off and go bald. I'm sure that'll happen.* In 1967, Frank predicted the skinhead punk trend.

  • @charleswinokoor6023
    @charleswinokoor60234 ай бұрын

    The interviewer Doll did a respectable job, but why not tell us where this was conducted? Judging by the sound of the cash register I’m guessing it probably was a record store.

  • @leddygee1896
    @leddygee18968 ай бұрын

    Frank did not suffer fools Very well, and listening to Him here he’s a capitalist, And an artist at the same Time, a very unusual Combination in 1967. I would LOVE to hear his Take on the wokies in this Day and Age… He would destroy them With logic and truth!! I really miss Frank… RIP Mr. Zappa.

  • @bobdobbs3178

    @bobdobbs3178

    8 ай бұрын

    Here's Frank's response to the Wokies of his day: “Frank Zappa: LA’s Original Freak Is One Mean Mother”, by Michael Snyder & Blair Jackson, January 1978 [[ Michael Snyder: WE’RE ONLY IN IT FOR THE MONEY derides San Francisco, Flower Power, and the so-called hippie movement on a number of cuts. Do you think that attitude is a tired issue or still worth kicking around? Frank Zappa: Whatever you like. You want to talk about tired issues? I’ll talk about ‘em. I’m here to entertain you. M: You’re here to entertain everybody. If you’ve got it, entertain it. FZ: OK, here it is: I believe that San Francisco and its citizens were used by the United States government for LSD experiments, psychological warfare experiments, and germ warfare experiments during that period of time. I think that the whole Haight-Ashbury phenomenon was manufactured, and I think that the people who were victimized by those drugs during that time ought to sue the government. You’re looking at a place that was chosen as the home of the manufactured zombies. M: All this stuff about the CIA drug houses has been coming to light. It might make sense. FZ: It does. After the CIA discovers this potential weapon, where are they going to try it out on a large number of people? In an urban setting. Take a map. Stick a pin. San Francisco gets the vote. You know those funny camps they were opening during the '60s? M: The camps for dissidents? FZ: The ones where they put the Japanese people during World War 2. They were sprucing them up in the 1960s. M: Detention camps. FZ: Yeah. Why were they opening them up? M: The government feared that campus unrest would lead to widespread rioting? FZ: I don’t think they feared the students or needed a place to lock them away. I think the camps were a safety valve, in case the chemical experiments failed and you had tens of thousands of uncontrolled potential murderers on the street. If they dosed ‘em too much and everything got out of hand, the only answer would have been to round them up and throw them in those camps. ]]

  • @IVnik8or

    @IVnik8or

    8 ай бұрын

    lol. Right from the start. Trouble Everyday is one of the most awesome “woke” songs ever written. All about waking people up to what’s really going on.

  • @Rippedflesh69

    @Rippedflesh69

    8 ай бұрын

    @@IVnik8or , today's "woke" has got nothing to do with waking people up. "Woke" is a totalitarian mass censorship Orwellian dystopia.

  • @joelbarish

    @joelbarish

    8 ай бұрын

    @@IVnik8or That's not what "woke" means.

  • @IVnik8or

    @IVnik8or

    8 ай бұрын

    @joelbarish from wikipedia: Woke is an adjective derived from African-American Vernacular English (AAVE) meaning "alert to racial prejudice and discrimination". Beginning in the 2010s, it came to encompass a broader awareness of social inequalities such as racial justice, sexism and LGBT rights.

  • @J0EYbagaDONUTS
    @J0EYbagaDONUTS8 ай бұрын

    Frank giving props to Eric Clapton ! My three favorite guitarist ... Frank Zappa , Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page !