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A little trivia for the old folks.

I'm unsure that the band members were always introduced at live shows, so when was the first time it happened on three consecutive occasions?

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I don't think original MOI ever did the member introduction thing. During the 1970 MOI reunion at Fillmore East (9th of May) the members were introduced. I'm not sure how many gigs the reunited pre-Contempo MOI did, so I'm not sure if I can speak of consecutive three. The subsequent Flo & Eddie lineup, not sure, Frank did introduce the members during the Uddel Netherlands gig (6-18-1970), but he was also being interviewed and thus he had to introduce his band. No evidence of subsequent band member introductions, none that I know anyway.

So basically, I think the first touring group to have the members introduced on the regular basis was in fact the Grand Wazoo 1972 big band! Basically Frank would shout the name, the player would then check his sound (and when necessary, Frank would ask to turn the member up in the monitor system), then another name and another player checks his/her sound etc. See "Intro Intros" from Wazoo for an exemplary recording, along with some humorous Frank banter.

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Lies are like quicksand, soft and comfortable, but they will swallow us. Truth is like bedrock, hard and uncomfortable, but we can always stand on it

Thanks Ed.

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I think it was a gradual/logical progression.

On the early MOI lp's - they were a band but FZ was the unquestioned leader. As time went on it was more visible the FZ was the star and the rest were his sidemen. When he reformed the Mothers in 1970 - since Mark and Howard were fellow "rockstars" he kind of kept it as a band - again he was clearly the leader - but it was still a band.

After the London incident that signaled the band's demise - FZ put together the Grand Wazoo - I believe his intention was to leave MOI behind but the record company and the concert promoters wanted that link.

Anyways - I agree - the original intention was probably to get the long soundcheck for such a massive band done and at the same time give a nod to each sideman (or woman) in the band. After the Wazoo's (Grand and Petite) - each subsequent band was really Zappa but it didn't really become officially that until 1976.

So from that time forward - each musician gets a nod at the beginning and at the end. Everything in between is Zappa. And rightfully so.

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Bobby

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I'll take Slime in the center square to block.

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I might have gone with Charley Weaver to win, but here's your question.....

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You gotta give the people something good to read, on a Sunday