For nearly a decade, composer/rock guitarist/musical genius Frank Zappa and his band would descend upon New York City for their annual Halloween concert. A yearly tradition beginning in 1974, Zappa skipped the concert in 1982 even though he had recently scored his biggest commercial hit with the song "Valley Girl." Despite the decision not to tour, Zappa did not disappoint fans that looked forward to their yearly Halloween pilgrimage to New York City. Instead, he premiered a 90-minute documentary titled Frank Zappa's Dub Room Special at New York's legendary Ritz Theater.

The documentary features two concerts—Zappa's 1981 Halloween show at New York's Palladium and the other from KCET Studios in December 1974 for the TV special "A Token Of His Extreme." Paired with performances of Zappa classics such as "Stinkfoot," "Cosmik Debris," "Montana" and "Flakes" is the animation of Bruce Bickford who collaborated with Zappa on his previous documentary, "Baby Snakes."

Originally released on VHS and Beta in 1982, The Dub Room Special! has been a tough find for Zappa fans. Now it is available for the first-time ever on DVD. Featuring audio remixed in stereo, this highly sought-after collectors item was worth the wait.

Includes footage from:

KCET, LA, CA, August 27, 1974 (from A Token Of His Extreme)Bruce Bickford's Clay Animation (c. 1974)The Palladium, NYC, NY, October 31, 1981Stadio Communale La Favorita, Palermo, Italy, July 14, 1982Interview with Richard Hart, August, 1982Compact Video, LA, CA, August, 1982Valley Girl Documentary (only DVD)

The Music:

Dog Breath (August 27, 1974)Uncle Meat (August 27, 1974)Room Service (August 27, 1974)Nig Biz (October 31, 1981; late show)Approximate (August 27, 1974)Cosmik Debris (August 27, 1974)Cocaine Decisions (October 31, 1981; late show)Montana (August 27, 1974)Tengo Na Minchia Tanta (July 14, 1982)Florentine Pogen (August 27, 1974)Stevie's Spanking (October 31, 1981; late show)Stink-Foot (August 27, 1974)Flakes (October 31, 1981; early show)Inca Roads (August 27, 1974)Easy Meat (October 31, 1981; late show)

Format: DVD 9 Dual Layer - 4:3 Screen Format - NTSC - Region 1 and 4 encoded - American English - PCM StereoTotal Running Time: 1 hour, 37 minutes

Musicians:

1974:

FZ—guitar, percussion, vocalsNapoleon Murphy Brock—sax, vocalsGeorge Duke—keyboards, finger cymbals, tambourine, vocalsRuth Underwood—percussionTom Fowler—bassChester Thompson—drums

1981-82:

FZ—lead guitar, vocalsRay White—guitar, vocalsSteve Vai—stunt guitar, vocalsTommy Mars—keyboards, vocalsRobert Martin—keyboards, vocalsEd Mann—percussion, vocalsScott Thunes—bass, vocalsChad Wackerman—drums

Cast (as themselves, more or less in order of appearance):

FZCraig LattaTim ClarkWarren Cuccurullo (from Baby Snakes on a TV screen)Phyllis Altenhaus (from Uncle Meat on a TV screen)Ruth UnderwoodNapoleon Murphy BrockGeorge DukeTom FowlerChester ThompsonBruce BickfordThomas NordeggMort LibovRichard HartEd MannRay WhiteChad WackermanRobert MartinScott ThunesTommy MarsKim ThompsonSteve VaiMassimo BassoliJohn SmothersCharles "Smitty" SchmidtMarty Perellis as the gorillaRon MenziesStumuk (from Uncle Meat on a TV screen)