On May 14, 2013, at 4:39 PM, Ezra Lesser wrote:

Hello Ms. Zappa,

I was exploring the depths of Wikipedia a bit ago (the world’s most potentially harmful news source!) and stumbled across some interesting information:
“A doctor treated [FZ's] sinusitis by inserting a pellet of radium into each of Zappa’s nostrils; little was known about the potential dangers of even small amounts of therapeutic radiation.”
At first read, this sounded awful fictitious … I was wondering if you could confirm this statement as fact or fiction. Is this just a pseudo-fact, a rumor created to elaborate upon one of history’s “most eccentric musicians?” Or is this the reason that I see a HONKER every time I watch Baby Snakes … ?

Thank you for your time,

Ezra Lesser

Ezra,

This is real information although perhaps not the direct quote from The Real Frank Zappa Book. Check it out for yourself. Thanks for nosing around in our direction.

“Music is the Best!”~fz

gz

On Nov 4, 2012, at 9:17 PM, matthew contreras wrote:

Hello Gail,
ssing into law – things like arresting people for wearing obscene t-shirts such as bearing pictures or rpresentations of Black Sabbath – oscene by virtue of someone having decided what they recorded was obscene so therefore images of them on a shirt would be fineable and could result in detainment by law enforcement officals. This was being proposed by the Mayor of San Antonio at the time – 1985.whcih, if I recall correctly, would ba What is the story behind the title Where We Ever Really Safe In San Antonio? Being a resident of SA myself I’ve always wondered about this. I know it was recorded here but do you have any other info? Was security lacking that night at the ol’ Majestic Theatre or what? No. Nothing to do with security. Everything to do with closed minds and criminalization of youth culture. Some of those minds were in the Mayor’s office at the time.

What is the real story behind the photo used on the original pressing of The Best Band You Never Heard In Your Life? Why was the picture deleted and why wasn’t a replacement picture used instead? FZ was not happy with the final cover concept. I think it was easiest to handle it this way because he was on tour at the time of the release.

I know Xmas came up a few times in Frank’s conceptual continuity going back to a Xmas tree being featured on the original cover of We’re Only In It For The Money (and even further than that) all the way up to Xmas Values from CPIII. With this in mind, what was Frank’s opinion on traditional Xmas pop music? Do you recall any favorites? I never asked and he never volunteered.

Thank you for your time Gail, I’m sure you are busy and I appreciate you reading this as well as all you have done to keep Frank’s music alive for us after all these years. Thank you but just so’s you know, the Music is, was and will remain alive and well as long as there are ears to hear it. “Music is the Best!”~FZ

Respectfully,
Matthew Contreras

On Apr 11, 2013, at 2:11 AM, Odd Magnus Grimeland wrote:

I would think Jan Van Vliet has an interest in the estate of Don, similar to your own interest in the estate of Frank. I wonder how she is involved in the new issue of Trout Mask Replica and how her interests are taken care of? 

Cordially,

O. M. Grimeland

There really isn’t a cordial way of not minding your own business and answering for anyone other than myself is not my business.

On Mar 17, 2013, at 6:18 AM, Richard Graham <ruhigh1369@verizon.net> wrote:

Hey howz things going…..??? >>>>>>>>> Well, I myself can not afford to pay 1,000$ to get a liscence to be a distributor…..but how Do I find out where or who from I may be able to purchase a copy of “THE ROXY SHOW”…….I love that album/cd…………………..I try to find a lot of old ZAPPA stuff where ever I can…………..HELP……get back The SOONER the BETTER!!!!! Thanx Dick G.

Thanks Richard. The album Project/Object is going forward so you will be able to get it from any number of sources, including Barfko-Swill where quality control is our main objective. And you can look forward to the re-release of Roxy & Elsewhere on Vinyl and onstage played by Dweezil with Zappa Plays Zappa. And oh yes, there is the movie . . .

gz

On Mar 18, 2013, at 9:40 AM, mark jancosek wrote:

Gail,

Thanks again for the wonderful set of re-releases of the whole catalog. I haven’t stopped listening. I don’t expect to ever stop listening to Frank’s work. In my entire life I have never known the work of one man that literally stands up to countless listenings, each one a whole new experience.

Here is my question:

I am just curious if there are any future plans to release more of the expanded, multi CD releases that allow aficionados of Frank’s music to delve deeper into the creation of his works. The releases of the “MOFO Project”, “Lumpy Money” and “Greasy Love Songs” are unbelievably fascinating, both in their masterful collection of compositions-in-progress, alternate mixes, interviews directly related to that work, etc…..to see more releases like that (possibly for the “Uncle Meat”, “Hot Rats” and “You Are What You Is” sessions) would be nothing less than a revelation. Is this a trend of releases that might continue and expand in the future?

Thanks always,

Mark Jancosek

Thanks for your thoughts here, Mark. You are in luck. Uncle Meat is next but can’t say when. Looking forward to hearing from you again.

gz
“Music is the Best!”~fz

On Oct 28, 2012, at 6:32 AM, frank balmaekers wrote:

Hi,

We are planning to buy all the 60 albums from Frank, but want to do it with CD WOW HD.
Can we trust them as we asked them what pressings they have: they said Canadian.
Now we received the first 3 but we can’t see nowhere on the cd or package Made in Canada or Made in USA.
There’s only: under exclusive license to Universal, address 2220 Colorado Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90404.

Zappa Records 824302385326 (UMe)
Question 1: Could you please say what pressing this is?
Question 2: Are these digitally remasters?

Thanks and with regards,

Frank Balmaekers

As far as I can understand what you are asking for does not currently exist. 22 Titles were remastered only. Those same masters are ALSO available at iTunes as MFiT. Check that list for guidance. If you buy them in Europe, they are most likely manufactured in Europe. If you purchase them in North America they are most likely manufactured in the USA. FYI, we are planning vinyl re-issues for some titles, as well as HD but not all the same titles. In other words, not all titles will appear in all formats. If you have other questions please go ahead and ask but please also be as specific as possible. Meanwhile I will check out the number below for you.

Thanks for your interest.

gz
“Music is the Best!”~fz

On Feb 6, 2013, at 12:42 PM, Kirk Gauthier  wrote:

I was just perusing Zappa.com and noticed, under FZ’s official discography, there’s a new cover for Läther that’s not the photo of a cow. Was this the original album cover, or was it an unused cover photo to coincide with the catalog relaunch? And is/was it an homage to the cover of Fugazi’s second release, Margin Walker (for reference, see this)?

As always, thanks for all the tunes!
– Kirk Gauthier

This was a proposed original cover but the album was not released until much later – and we used the cow instead. With the re-release of everything (the entire catalog) all at once, it seemed more than appropriate to go back and rethink/restore quite a few of the original covers. The photographs are from the shoot from which the covers of Joe’s Garage, Acts 1, 2 & 3 originated. These albums were released in 1979. In this case it is obvious that FZ’s album was first and therefore not influenced in any way by Fugazi’s cover. Quite the opposite I would tend to suspect.

Thanks!

gz
“Music is the Best!”~fz (and of course, this quote is also directly from Joe’s Garage!)

On Feb 3, 2013, at 12:48 PM, Christopher Slitor wrote:

Dear Gail and Zappa Family and helpers,

This is really not a question, just a message, to be put up in your FAQs or in a comments category. Consider it a SALUTE to the legacy of Frank Zappa and good wishes to all of you

The first time I heard the Mothers of Invention was in 1968, on a hot July afternoon, in an un-air-conditioned second story room of my teenage friend, Dave. He had just purchased We’re Only In It for the Money, at Zayre’s record bin, for the sum of about $3.47. The cover was obviously a satire on SGT PEPPER by the Beatles.

The music and the socio-political lyricism blew us teenage boys away! Both of us became hooked on Frank Zappa’s clever arrangements, unique musical style, his cynical but funny satire. It inspired my buddy Dave to become a guitarist. Even though he became an electrical engineering professor, he does excellent college town bar room rock n roll music with other talented local musicians. They even won a state battle of the bands contest, but they did not secure a record contract. Thus, they stuck with their day jobs.

Frank was born in Baltimore. The great columnist and political pundit H L Mencken was known as the Sage of Baltimore, at least until some of his commentary, post-posthumously, was adjudged too Politically Incorrect and offensive. All I can say about HLM is that he managed to offend everybody, equally, of every race, creed and color. His sarcastic and biting commentary was not always easy to handle or endure. It was his stock in trade. Frank Zappa was the other Sage of Baltimore.

Later, from 1969-82, I purchased various FZ and MOI albums of my own, including Mothermania, Ruben and the Jets, Burnt Weeny Sandwich, Uncle Meat, Joe’s Garage. FZ’s prolific output outpaced my ability to buy his albums. Usually, as people get beyond their teenage and college years, they spent less and less time and money on record albums, CDs, etc.

When I heard that Frank Zappa died in 1993, I was very sad. I felt that a huge, under-served batch of sentient beings were having their fix of political-music satire laid to rest, that a sincere-controversial proponent for artistic freedom had been quelched.

I felt that no one could equal the quality of Frank Zappa. He was a terrific artist with an indefatigable energy. As the years passed, I learned a lot more about music. Frank Zappa and Brian Wilson inspired me to teach myself music theory, in my mid-50s. I am now composing little ditties of my own, but do not pursue it as a day job. The greatest message of Frank Zappa was to be ACTIVE, to make your own opportunity, make your OWN DOOR when “opportunity” doesn’t knock. Take your musical-political-satirical desires and give them VOICE, by whatever means at your disposal. Get busy, be disciplined and bring your dreams to life. Frank wasn’t perfect, but he was FUNNY, a bit eccentric, and his human-ness showed threw his often iconoclastic displays. I salute FZ, will always remember him, and have learned great lessons from this self-made, hard-working genius.

FZ was a huge inspiration to millions of people. Dweezil is a superb guitarist and musician, and he is helping preserve and expound-expand upon father Frank’s great work. I regret never having seen Frank Zappa in concert. Maybe the wife and I will try to see Dweezil and his gang next time they tour in the Washington, DC metro area.

To Gail, Dweezil, Moon, Diva, Ahmet, and other family and Family Trust folks, carry on this fine legacy, build upon it, and may more folks join you in continuing the essence and most positive aspects of Frank Zappa’s artistic mission.

Very Kindest Regards,
Christopher “Kit” Slitor
born in early 1950′s
Arlington, VA
Home to Arlington Cemetery, suburb of Washington, DC
across Potomac River from Nation’s Capital

Dear Christopher,

Thank you so very much for sharing your sentiments with us. It is always appreciated, especially when one’s voice is so obviously sincere and well-considered.

And by the way, I know where you are coming from in so many ways. Apart from my father being buried in Arlington National Cemetery, I spent 2 of my high school years at Falls Church and Jeb Stuart, respectively and for a time lived on John Marshall Drive in Arlington.

Thanks on behalf of my family, Kit.

gz
“Music is the Best!”~fz

On Jan 25, 2013, at 2:03 PM, Joseph D’Alessandris wrote:

Why do you and your kids continue to perform and market new versions of Frank’s homophobic songs like “Bobby Brown” and “Punky’s Whips”? Frank had some gay fans, and these songs are very hurtful! Please consider putting them away. This is 2013 Gail!

Sincerely,
Joseph D’Alessandris

The Zappa Family is not a pop hit cover band. You must be thinking of some other group. And there are no “homophobic songs” anywhere in FZ’s catalog.

On Jan 8, 2013, at 4:18 AM, john cina wrote:

Hello there

I was wondering if the first batch (Freak Out to JABFLA) will be available to buy in a bundle again. Just curious.

Thank you!

~ john

There is no reason for you not to be able to buy each bundle as advertised. Let me know if there is a problem. Thanks!

gz