Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen 1976 by Hans Annellsson

I don't remember the first time I heard Frank´s music, but I guess it was around 1970, probably something from "Chungas Revenge" which was the first record of his that I bought.

Frank was at the time just one among quite a few musicians/bands that made music I´d never heard before. Since I had dumped my drumset for an electric guitar the year before I was curious of almost any lead guitarist and I remember I really liked "Transylvania Boogie" and the title track.
My next record was "Waka/Jawaka" which, believe it or not, I won at an indoor football tournament. My team won and all the players drew lots for the prizes and of course I got the record.

The first time I heard Frank live was at Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen 1976. The one thing that really struck me was the level of his guitar, it was mixed way above everything else and you could hear every little nuance in his playing. At the time I played in a band and we used to argue all the time about which instrument should be the loudest in the mix.
I had the opportunity to see Frank live about 10 times over the years. The Scandinavian concerts in 1988 was really special. The show in Oslo because I got in at the soundcheck and it was the world premier of "Rhyming Man" and the show in Stockholm because of Mats and Morgan appearing on stage. During the show in Lund the band played a version of "Crusin´ for Burgers" and I remember thinking "What a great version ...". You can imagine my delight when Frank picked that particular version for the "Make a Jazz Noise Here" CD.

I think all of Frank´s music is interesting and I believe he was a unique person and a truly original composer. If you haven't done so go out and get all his music. Much music is based on some kind of formula and Frank really did widen the limits. I hope there is somebody out there who will pick up his legacy. I wouldn't dream of comparing myself with Frank in any way, but I will do what I believe he would have done if he still were alive: Carry on composing!

See what Frank said in an interview on the next page!
AND
Read about the Frank Zappa Tribute Concerts !
 
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