Zappa

‘Zappa ’88: The Last U.S. Show’ Documents End of Remarkable Era. Frank Zappa hadn’t toured since 1984, when his seven-man band played 109 shows, 36 in the U.S., 32 in Europe, and another 41 back in the States, all from July through December. When it was announced there would be a 1988 tour, there was much excitement.

Zappa’s final concert in America, it features many unreleased gems, including covers of “Whipping Post,””Stairway to Heaven,” and first official release of “The Beatles Medley”. Nobody knew, not even Frank Zappa, as he led his eleven-piece band through a celebratory version of “America The Beautiful” to close out his show...

Nobody knew, not even Frank Zappa, as he led his 11-strong band through a celebratory version of “America The Beautiful” to close out his show at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, NY on March 25, 1988, that it would be the last time he’d ever play in the United States. Days later, the '88 band would trek to Europe for a multi-country tour, only to implode on the road before they could make it back to the States for another round of scheduled shows. Despite the growing tensions in the band, the ensemble was considered one of the best Zappa ever put together, a skilled mix of extremely talented musicians made up of both longtime members that had played with The Maestro from the early days alongside exciting new additions, bolstered by his favorite new instrument, the Synclavier. A well-oiled machine armed with an extensive 100-song repertoire, the adroit band were equally as adept at playing Zappa’s complex and challenging, genre-defying songs as they were performing classical compositions by the likes of Bartók, Ravel and Stravinsky.

Zappa, Adeline Barbara (Matye) on Sunday March 7, 2021 Adeline Zappa age 99 of Mpls passed away peacefully at the North Memorial Hospital Cardiovascular ICU. She was born June 18, 1921 in San Fernando, CA. Several years later her father John and mother Barbara moved the family to a farm in the Almena/Arland area of Wisconsin. On June 22, 1940 she married her husband of 43 years, Norman James Zappa and they moved to Mpls, MN where Norman eventually secured employment as a welder. Adeline spent much time with her family and friends playing musical instruments (accordian and organ), singing, and of course, all entertaining included her great cooking. She also loved competing with guests on numerous board games, cards and dice games. Adeline and Norman shared a lake home on Farm Island Lake, Aitkin, MN, where there was significant fishing in the summer, snowmobiling in the winter, and very enjoyable lakeside get togethers. Additional interests included her membership in the Ladies of St. Anne's Church, traveling, vegetable and flower gardening, canning, baking (mile high apple pies), and cooking for all (chicken and dumplings were in high demand). Adeline was preceded in death by her father, John Matye and mother, Barbara Matye; her husband, Norman; brother, John (Rose) Matye; sisters, Barbara (George) Kurtz, Elizabeth (Ed) Wangerin, Rosalie (August) Wurorenna, and Hattie (Frank) Greschner. She is survived by her nieces, Jeanine Greschner, Lee (Frank) Greschner, great nieces, Deb (Al) Heuer, Rose Becker, Heidi Pope; great nephew, Scott Greschner; brother-in-law, Franklin Zappa; along with many other nephews, nieces and friends. Memorials to the Animal Humane Society and St. Anne's Church. Mass of Christian Burial Saturday, 3/20/21 at 9:30 AM with visitation 1 hour prior at the Church of St. Anne, 2627 Queen Ave N, Mpls. Burial to follow at Gethesame Cemetery in New Hope, MN. SAVE THE DATE for a celebration of life and 100th birthday party June 19, 2021 at Adeline's home beginning at 1 PM. Washburn-McReavy.com Glen Haven Chapel 763-533-8643.

Enter ComingSoon’s DVD Giveaway for Alex Winter’s Zappa!. Ahead of the home release of the musical documentary Zappa directed by actor and filmmaker Alex Winter (Bill & Ted Face the Music) from Magnolia Pictures Home Entertainment, ComingSoon.net has been provided with three DVD copies to giveaway to three of our lucky readers! To enter, email your name to [email protected] with the subject line “ZAPPA” and three winners (must be within the U.S.) will be chosen by Wednesday, March 3!

Last year, Alex Winter returned alongside Keanu Reeves in the long-anticipated Bill and Ted Face the Music. But he also got musical in another way last year by directing Zappa, a documentary about famed musician Frank Zappa, who released a whopping 62 albums across his lifetime, dabbling in rock, pop, jazz, jazz fusion, orchestral arrangements and musique concrète.

Photo credit: Kerry McNabb and Frank Zappa in ZAPPA, a Magnolia Pictures release. Photo credit: Yoram Kahana. Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures. Immensely influential and straddling rock and classical genres, Frank Zappa was an individual in the truest sense. Alex Winter’s new documentary, Zappa, presents an engrossing portrait of an artist whose brilliance cannot be overstated.

From The Tapes Archive comes this bit of rock history trivia: Frank Zappa was apparently a fan of Black Sabbath and was planning to sit in with them in 1976 when they played a sold out Madison Square Garden. The show was plagued with technical problems, according to Tony Iommi, so he asked Frank to sit out.

Here’s the new UK trailer for Zappa, Alex Winter’s highly-anticipated and compelling documentary on the life and career of the extraordinary Frank Zappa, which is now available to watch in the UK and Ireland. With unfettered access to the Zappa Vault, and archival footage contained within, Zappa explores the private...

Not jazz, not rock ’n’ roll, not the blues and not pop, 28 years after his death, Frank Zappa remains a singular and surreally subversive artist, impossible to categorise. “Well, what the hell is it?” asks his percussionist Ruth Underwood halfway through director (and yes, Bill S Preston Esq from the mighty Bill & Ted franchise) Alex Winter’s two hour tribute to the bandleader, composer and reluctant rockstar. “It’s Zappa!” she concludes with a wide grin.

ZAPPA, a film documenting the life of influential guitarist and composer Frank Zappa, has officially secured an Australian cinema release date. Directed by Bill & Ted star Alex Winter (also creator of The Panama Papers, Deep Web and more), the documentary is set to screen in Australian cinemas on February 18, 2021.

Piece of Magic Entertainment has acquired European distribution rights to Alex Winter’s music documentary Zappa from Great Point Media. The film about the life of late maverick musician Frank Zappa will receive a theatrical release across Europe from March 2021, excluding the UK, Ireland, German-speaking territories and Poland, where deals have yet to be closed.