Frank Zappa Hologram Responds To Censorship

Frank Zappa Hologram Addresses So-Called “Questionable Content” Violation From Ticketmaster Over Ad For “The Bizarre World Of Frank Zappa” Hologram Tour. In Zappa’s Own Words: “I’m A Person Who Likes To Do What He Likes To Do…”

Composer, musician, futurist and innovator FRANK ZAPPA is facing censorship yet again over so-called “questionable content” in the ad artwork for the upcoming “The Bizarre World Of Frank Zappa” hologram tour which will make its debut this April in the U.S.

The tour artwork was curiously censored by Ticketmaster who cited the image for so-called “questionable content,” according to their Content Governance team, and wouldn’t post it online.  The censored image pays homage to Frank Zappa & the Mothers’ 1974 song “Penguin in Bondage.” View the artwork below:

Censored Poster

Now, in a first look at the ZAPPA Hologram, FZ addresses these claims, saying exactly what he said in 1984: “I’m a person who likes to do what he wants to do…whether people like it or not and what I do is designed for people who like it, not for people who don’t.”  Oh how very little has changed. View the ZAPPA Hologram here:

 

ZAPPA–who always fought against censorship and for all artists rights–appeared before congress on September 19, 1985. He later famously, voluntarily labeled his albums with his “Warning Guarantee” in the mid-80s…we now offer up a slightly updated version:

Warning/Guarantee

Beyond the images in question, artwork for the tour gives clues to the kinds of fantastical holograms fans who purchase tickets for the tour will experience.  Ahmet Zappa says, “If you’re someone that can’t enjoy the absurdity and humor of bringing Frank’s music and lyrics to life via holograms–such as penguins in bondage, talking hot dogs and super natural dental floss–this show might not be your cup of tea.  In response to Ticketmaster, I re-submit the poster artwork with our newly updated Warning/Guarantee hiding the buttocks of the cartoon penguin.  I mean, seriously Ticketmaster?”

“The Bizarre World Of Frank Zappa” will kick off with nine U.S. shows on Friday, April 19, with seven European performances in May to follow (see press release here).  Produced by Eyellusion, the “Bizarre World of Frank Zappa” hologram tour band is comprised of former ZAPPA bandmates for this monumental series of shows.  The touring unit boasts guitarists Ray White and Mike Keneally, bassist Scott Thunes, multi-instrumentalist Robert Martin, percussionist Ed Mann, and drummer and ZAPPA archivist Joe “Vaultmeister” Travers.

The Bizarre World Of Frank Zappa U.S. dates are as follows:

4/19 Port Chester, NY Capitol Theater Tickets VIP Package
4/20 Rochester, NY Kodak Center Theater Tickets VIP Package
4/22 Red Bank, NJ Count Basie Tickets VIP Package
4/24 Long Island, NY Paramount Theatre Tickets VIP Package
4/26 Boston, MA Shubert Tickets VIP Package
4/28 Albany, NY The Palace Theatre Tickets VIP Package
5/01 Wilkes Barre, PA Kirby Center Tickets VIP Package
5/02 Collingswood, NJ Scottish Rite Auditorium Tickets VIP Package
5/03 Baltimore, MD The Modell Lyric Tickets VIP Package

The European shows are as follows:

5/09 Edinburgh, UK Playhouse Tickets  
5/11 Gateshead, UK Sage Tickets  
5/12 Manchester, UK Bridgewater Hall Tickets  
5/13 Birmingham, UK Symphony Hall Tickets  
5/14 London, UK The Palladium Tickets  
5/16 Ostend, BE Kurssal Tickets  
5/17 Amsterdam, NL Rai Theater Tickets