Young Frank Zappa

**rcarlberg** · 03-30-2015

Originally Posted by zombywoof

Is that the same Ray Collins who sang with the MOI?

Yes. Frank and Ray were friends as kids.

**Steve F.** · 03-30-2015

Originally Posted by rcarlberg

Yes. Frank and Ray were friends as kids.

No they weren't.

iirc, Ray and Paul Buff were long-time friends. That's how Frank and Ray met; through Paul Buff.

**ronmac** · 03-30-2015

Originally Posted by GuitarGeek

I always thought it was hilarious. The thing that's brilliant is that the two of them are playing off each other, for instance, when Steve asks Frank how long he's been playing the bicycle and he says "About two weeks" and Steve shoots back with, "You must have been thinking, 'What can I do that will get me on the Steve Allen Show'" (which I think is exactly what happened, because you note at the end Frank mentions doing the music for The World's Greatest Sinner, which I think is the real reason he's there, to plug "the world's worst movie", as he describes it).

And it's great that neither of them are particularly taking the matter seriously. Frank can't stop laughing through chunks of the interview. And I've always loved the ending where Steve says something like, "I think I speak for everyone here when I say don't come around hear again!". He was great at those kind of lines.

One thing I've never been sure of is after they come back from the commercial break, Steve mentions that what Frank was doing was not unlike some of the contemporary classical music that was coming from Europe at the time. I've never been sure if he was complimenting Frank, or putting down the contemporary classical music guys. Ya know, in the same way that some people look at modern art, and says "My 4 year old could do the same thing". With Steve, you were never sure (as per the time he recited Be-Bop-A-Lula as a spoken word piece).

Interesting observations. What I notice is that they both see the humor and absurdity of it all, but likely in different ways. I don't see a real connection. Certainly, I don't think the two would have connected on much at all, anyway.

**rcarlberg** · 03-30-2015

Originally Posted by Steve F.

No they weren't.

iirc, Ray and Paul Buff were long-time friends. That's how Frank and Ray met; through Paul Buff.

Yikes you're right. Who was I thinking of?

**Nijinsky Hind** · 03-30-2015

I read some of FZs autobiographical account of his earlier years and there seems to be some pretty big gaps... Not sure if he mentioned El monte legion stadium, or his time and associations in laurel canyon during the Manson years.

**3LockBox** · 03-30-2015

Steve Allen was somewhat of an elitist ass. He hated rock-n-roll. Brought Elvis on his show to mock him. Reciting rock lyrics was his way of poking fun at it.

It did seem Zappa was pulling a fast one, not being totally serious about playing that bike and having the announcer guy recite a nursery rhyme during the "music". It was like an early version of stupid human tricks.

**GuitarGeek** · 03-30-2015

Originally Posted by 3LockBox

Steve Allen was somewhat of an elitist ass. He hated rock-n-roll. Brought Elvis on his show to mock him. Reciting rock lyrics was his way of poking fun at it.

I think the Elvis gag, with him singing to Hound Dog to a basset hound was more about figuring out a way to present a controversial performer in a way that wouldn't piss off the network sheriffs. Yeah, it looked ridiculous (and reportedly, Elvis was pissed at Parker for letting it happen that way), but it worked, didn't it?

Steve Allen reportedly had no love for rock n roll, but I think he knew how to make fun of things like that without being too condescending. I'll certainly take it over Frank's openly disparaging attitude toward mainstream rock music.

**Hobo Chang Ba** · 03-31-2015

Originally Posted by Reid

I picked up this 5 disc set which features FZ's first recordings and guitar playing on record. It's mostly obscure Southern California rock & roll, and surf music recorded from early to late 60s. Also includes the audio from the Steve Allen Show appearance.

All the audio of the Steve All show?