Zappa 69 years old: Philly ’76

Zappa - 1976 (September/October/November) (stevehoffmann.tv)

Zappa – 1976 (September/October/November) (vlnr: Terry Bozzio, Patrick O’Hearn, Frank Zappa, Eddie Jobson, Ray White, Lady Bianca)

Introduction

On December 21, 2009, the day Frank Zappa should have celebrated his 69th birthday, the Zappa Family Trust released Philly ’76, a unique live recording of a brand new band.

Frank Zappa 1976

The year 1976 started with a tour of Australia and Asia, followed by a month long tour of Europe. From April to June 1976 Frank Zappa was locked in various studios with several musicians working on new music, like the upcoming Zoot Allures album. In May 1976 he fired his manager Herb Cohen, ultimately leading to many problems for Zappa and no Zappa music being released in the calendar year 1977 (the first year without any Zappa releases).

For a new tour Zappa put a new band together in September 1976. He held onto master drummer Terry Bozzio and brought new musicians into the fold:

  • Patrick O’Hearn (bass, vocals)
    (would play with Zapp for the next two years)
  • Eddie Jobson (keyboards, violin)
    (known for his work with Roxy Music, would play with Zapp until February 1977)
  • Ray White (guitar, vocals)
    (would stay with Zappa for over eight years)
  • Lady Bianca (keyboards, vocals)
    (would play with the band from October 2 to November 15, 1977)

This tour, which ran from October 2 to mid-December 1976, introduced Ray White to the world of Frank Zappa. White would stay for a long time and would be given a prominent role in the years to come.

The tour brought the band to the Spectrum Theater in Philadelphia on October 29, 1976, the official release date for the latest Zappa album Zoot Allures.

From December 26 to 19, 1976, Zappa and one of the best bands he had ever assembled, played at The Palladium in New York City. The 4 shows were recorded and released as In New York in 1978, which is my personal favorite Zappa album.

Frank Zappa - Philly '76 (zappa.com)

Frank Zappa – Philly ’76

Philly ’76

On December 21, 2009, the day Frank Zappa should have turned 69 years old, the Zappa Family Trust released the live album Philly ’76.

The relatively small band (6 musicians, including Zappa) seemingly effortlessly performed a show that was ‘simple’ for Zappa standards. The intention was to just give a regular rock show, which was exactly what this “rocking teenage combo” delivered.

The recordings are unique, as Zappa’s band had a female singer join their ranks, which was very rare. Lady Bianca (aka Bianca Odin, Bianca Oden or Bianca Thornton) was a power house, who had a solo spot on a number of songs. Her voice and the voice of the also recently hired Ray White sound truly amazing together. Never before had Zappa had such fine vocalists in his band.

Lady Bianca only lasted for 1 month and 11 days, making the recordings even more unique. The sexism from the crowd and Zappa had gotten to her. It’s not entirely clear whether or not she was fired (as Zappa stated) or if it was a mutual decision (Lady Bianca’s claim). Anyway, after November 13, Lady Bianca left the band. She has played some 20 to 25 shows, so recordings featuring her vocals are rare.

The tour, and this concert, is a rock show containing less complex songs. The complexity would return again in December, but for this tour it was lacking. That doesn’t exactly mean the band played muzak. The level of musicianship is breathtakingly high. The rhythm section is arguably the best Zappa ever had. Eddie Jobson brings a lot of musicality and when Zappa decided to go all the way on his guitar, he really got off and harmonic curiosities were all over the place.

Frank Zappa - Concert ticket 10/29/1976 (concertarchives.com)

Frank Zappa – Concert ticket 10/29/1976

Review

As stated above, this was a regular rock show, for Zappa that is. Over two hours long top musicianship with a band that eagerly races through the set. Drummer Bozzio is inimitable, Jobson brings extra flavors and singer Lady Bianca is truly fantastic. The band is highly motivated and Zappa himself plays some mind blowing solos.

There is a catch though. The first 3 songs in particular contain a lot of Zappa talking, too much. The Poodle Lecture is downright annoying and juvenile.

Chrissy Puked Twice was the original title for Titties & Beer. With the song Stranded In The Jungle the album is even more unique than it already is. The song is a cover and Zappa hardly ever played them.

Liner notes

The album’s liner notes stem from widow Gail Zappa and singer Lady Bianca. They can be read in full below.

Gail Zappa

Oh snap! Another Live Show! Philadelphia, 29 October 1976. Live at the Spectrum.

Joe says he was not looking for this – it was looking for him, staring him down from its lurkage on the special shelf of personally selected-by-FZ masters. This is the only 16 track extant of this line-up. (Yes, he set them aside but sleuthing just confirms that whenever he had a bunch of tracks (4, 8, 16, 24, etc.) to play with out on the road FZ took full advantage of these options. Ultimately, his favorite way to make a record was to document (record) the live performances and bring them home to mix.) FZ transferred (in the Bob Stone-age) the original Record Plant Mobile 2″ 16-track analog 30 ips recordings to Sony PCM 3324 Digital on April Fool’s, 1987. Joe cloned the multi-track transfer onto a hard drive for Frank Filipetti to mix a year ago and this is being written on the 33rd anniversary of the actual (eve of Halloween) concert. More about anniversarial convergences: 1976 was the year that commemorated 200 years of America – the signing of the Declaration of Independence on 4 July 1776 in Philadelphia (where W.C. Fields preferred not to be dead) when it was the Capital of these United States. Some might enjoy reading this document while paying special attention to certain grievances expressed (and emphasized) therein. Some, now reintroduced and costumed up as Democracy! Trick or Treat! Laugh now. Moving right along past the allsorts of the disappeared: certain rights, inalienable & animal, beasties & creatures, long & short forestries, and even the very Spectrum itself, right after the last concert at Halloween…

In our efforts here at UMRK to provide you with the finest optional audio entertainment (in the universe) we deploy the inimitably-skilled tape trapper and trenchant trudger of the archivory coastal tundra, Joe Travers, to venture forth (where few are chosen but many have called) into the FZ sequin mines, dismote the ages and identify suitable nuggets for your aural excitation. In artifactuality, a nugget sports its significance by virtue of being an unreleased composition or live recording from ages past of titles rarely performed onstage, a special performance or arrangement, a thrilling example from a less-documented line-up, a highly nutritional trim &/or out, a different edit or mix – a special project, rehearsal, home-recording or even, a spoken gem such as an interview excerpt, a “build reel” or other “as-is” (unadulterated by FZ) item, exquisite in quality, uniqueness or hotness anywhereanytimeanyplace (aka AAA – see also AAAFNRAA: anything anytime anywhere for no reason at all), from the depth and breadth of FZ’s career in lifeasweknowit (lawki).

Praise the l.o.r.d. (also a defined term: living on reproducible data)!

Gail Zappa, 2009

Frank Zappa & Lady Bianca (youtube.com)

Frank Zappa & Lady Bianca

Lady Bianca

In 1976 I got a call from the management of Frank Zappa. “What? Who is that?” I said to my boyfriend “And why does he want me?” My boyfriend said: “You don’t know who Frank Zappa is? Well, just go down there, and you will see who he is”.

OK, I was very impressed with Mr. Zappa’s organization. Wow! He got me transportation to and from the rehearsal and a beautiful hotel room at the Chateau Marmont. When I got there (to rehearsal) Zappa said: “Do you play keyboards?”
“Yes.” (I said very softly) “What do you want me to play?”
“Just play with the band and learn these lyrics”

I didn’t know anything about this kind of music. I was two steps past the conservative community – the Holy Rollers (especially my parents). I decided I would sing with all my might and play piano so he would hire me. Yep. And he did, and that was beginning of my apprenticeship with a genius.

It was better not to try to figure his music out – just do the part he wanted in that spot. But my singing was my instrument and I was gonna use it to the best of my ability. At first I had trouble with the lyrics – like “Chrissy Puked Twice” and “The Torture Never Stops” – because I was not used to those kind of lyrics (coming from a gospel/Sly Stone feel) but after I got used to them, the music fit my style to a T.

I was very shy about singing to so many people and I was a little afraid as well as excited to be part of this fantastic band. Wow! Patrick O’Hearn, with his massive red hair, could play his butt off! And of course Terry Bozzio was powerful and strong. I wondered how he could hang for two full hours of hard work. I was working with Ray White before Frank asked me if I knew a good guitar player and he fit Frank’s snap just fine. It was an amazing band and I will never forget the experience.

I loved the fact that we stayed in the best hotels in New York and even in Tennessee. (Phones in the bathroom? Unheard of). Frank’s office and production crew took good care of us. Smothers’ (Frank’s bodyguard) quiet shoulder was there for me to lean on. He kept me laughing when I would get uneasy.

I remember being scared of flying on a little putt putt airplane that flew over mountains into the northern part of New York. Frank said to me: “Well … what are you afraid of? Here. Remember these lyrics? You haven’t got them down just yet”. By that time we had landed and every thing was fine. Whew! So much traveling and so many sound checks – and so many beautiful one-time-thing performances – I scarcely had time to actually think or look back on them. I am glad that he taped our shows because now you will hear some amazing performances.

I didn’t realize how much this experience would stay with me when I began forming my own band and styling my own career. It gave me strength and tools to handle this music business through the years. Well, I think I got spoiled and immediately missed the limousines and the food in the dressing rooms and the announcement of FRANK ZAPPA and his MOTHERS OF INVENTION! and roar of the crowd. I hope you will enjoy this beautiful one time performance of true creativity.

Lady Bianca, 08/08/2009

Frank Zappa - Philly '76 - Back cover (kompaktkiste.de)

Frank Zappa – Philly ’76 – Back cover

Songs

All songs written by Frank Zappa, unless stated otherwise.

  • The Purple Lagoon
  • Stink-Foot
  • The Poodle Lecture
  • Dirty Love
  • Wind Up Workin’ In A Gas Station
  • Tryin’ To Grow A Chin
  • The Torture Never Stops
  • City Of Tiny Lites
  • You Didn’t Try To Call Me
  • Manx Needs Women
  • Chrissy Puked Twice
  • Black Napkins
  • Advance Romance
  • Honey Don’t You Want A Man Like Me
  • Rudy Wants To Buy Yez A Drink
  • Would You Go All The Way?
  • Daddy, Daddy, Daddy
  • What Kind Of Girl Do You Think We Are?
  • Dinah-Moe Humm
  • Stranded In The Jungle (James Johnson, Ernestine Smith)
  • Find Her Finer
  • Camarillo Brillo
  • Muffin Man
Frank Zappa - Live 10/16/1976 Miami (reddit.com)

Frank Zappa – Live 10/16/1976 Miami

Musicians

  • Frank Zappa (guitar, vocals)
  • Bianca Odin (keyboards, vocals)
  • Ray White (guitar, cowbell, vocals)
  • Eddie Jobson (keyboards, violin)
  • Patrick O’Hearn (bass, vocals)
  • Terry Bozzio (drums, vocals)
Frank Zappa - Live 1976 (zappalifeontheroad.com)

Frank Zappa – Live 1976

Lady Bianca leaving

As stated in the liner notes Lady Bianca came from a gospel/Sly Stone background and wasn’t used to Zappa’s many highly sexualized lyrics. Unfortunately, at times the crowd was very sexist as well. During her solo parts she was regularly told to “take it off”. On October 24 Lady Bianca had had enough and reacted “Tell yer mama to take her clothes off and after you do that tell her to suck a rat’s dick”, upon which Zappa said “That’s right, you heard right!”.

At multiple occasions Lady Bianca has stated that Zappa himself also displayed sexist behavior. She got increasingly annoyed and that turned out to be mutual. Midway through the tour Lady Bianca decided to leave the band:

I left Frank Zappa because I am a lady. I did not feel I had to be humiliated by taking off my clothes or letting Frank use me as a prop on his show. I feel that my vocals and musicianship should have sufficed. That is why I left, it was my choice…. I was on good terms with Frank when I left. As a matter of fact I returned to see some of his performances when he was in town. We kinda laughed about the whole thing. But it wasn’t funny at the time.

It was a mutual agreement, because he wanted to make me do more degrading things on stage than just display my talent. I thought my musicianship should have been enough. And then again I don’t know why I had to leave, it just was something that did jive with him. I was a little too conservative at that time, and still am a little. [He wanted] like put his guitar on my body… things like that… I thought I shoudn’t have to if Ray and Eddie and Pat and Terry didn’t, we were a band all of us.

In closing

What’s your take on Frank Zappa and Philly ’76? Let me know!

Video/Spotify
This story contains an accompanying video. Click on the following link to see it: Video: Zappa 69 years old: Philly ’76. The A Pop Life playlist on Spotify has been updated as well.

Compliments/remarks? Yes, please!