A small island hanging off the south of England calls
Since my time with the Wayward Sons I have been fortunate to meet quite a few people famous or otherwise connected with the music industry. From producers to singers, managers and promoters. People such as Paul Weller, Midge Ure and Glen Tillbrook and the like. Although they are very talented, they are but human beings the same as you and me.
Let's face it everyone has their heroes in life. Someone to look up to, whether they are an actor, sports persons, pop star or even a super model.
I guess I am no different from the rest. I had my heroes and probably still do. When growing up in the sixties and seventies, my musical tastes leaned towards what was referred to as contemporary rock, but my interests were directed more to the other side of the Atlantic. Such bands as the Byrds, the Doors, Captain Beefheart and of course, the Daddy of them all, Frank Zappa.
Frank Zappa was my real true hero. From the first listening to his debut album Freak Out, I was sold lock, stock and barrel. A pure genius of electronic avant garde music and an absolute king of the satirical put down. That is probably what most people saw him as. But what did it, for me, here was one of the best out and out rock, blues and jazz guitar players that I had ever had the extreme pleasure to have heard.
The last time Frank Zappa played in Britain was part of his European Broadway the Hardway Tour in 1989. I went to see him at the Brighton Centre. He was truly amazing. Not long afterwards he released an album of mainly live stuff from that tour.
It was whilst listening to this album at home one evening in 1990 and reading through the cover notes that I discovered two hotline numbers. One was in Europe and one in the States. It was around 11.00pm so I decided to ring the American number.
I was fully expecting a taped message with information on forthcoming tours and albums etc. When I got through a guy answered asking if he could be of any help. This is what happened:
Hi my names Pete and I'm calling from a place called the Isle of Wight, it's a little Island hanging off of the South coast of England.I bid him goodnight and put the phone down. I was instantly regretting not asking more questions, but there, I had to be satisfied. I'd just spoken to my hero. A chance call of a lifetime.Wow, thanks for your call and how can I help?
Well I saw Frank at Brighton last year and was wondering if he had any plans to return in the near future?
"Well Pete I'm not making any plans to tour at this moment in time as I am in the middle of trying to complete my entire works to CD." - Frank Zappa
Oh **** me! I was reduced to a state of utter shock. I was actually speaking to the man himself. I mean I was actually speaking on the phone to Frank Zappa. How could I stay cool about this and not come across as a complete babbling idiot?
Frank, never in my wildest dreams was I expecting to talk to yo and I am sorry if I've disturbed you (creep, creep)
"That's ok I don't usually do this but there's noobdy else here to man the phones. You see the problem with coming on tour to Europe is purely financial. I lost an awful lot of money on the last one and whilst it was rewarding musically, financially it was a disaster. Musician have to be paid, hire equipment, travel expenses, it's endless." - Frank Zappa
Have you any plans for a new album coming up?
"Well I'm always working on new material. But this CD thing is taking up an awful lot of time. It's all got to be digitally remastered and there's a lot of unreleased live stuff to be included." - Frank Zappa
Frank, thanks a lot for taking the time to talk. There's an awful lot of fans over here just waiting for your return, so please don't leave it too long.
"No let me thank you for taking the trouble to call from so far away and hopefully I'll pass your way again some day." - Frank Zappa
Late in 1991 Frank Zappa was diagnosed as having cancer of the prostrate. He refused any form of radium treatment preferring natural and herbal remedies. He threw himself into more projects and amongst other things released his final album, Yellow Shark.
Frank Zappa died on 4th December, 1993. Bandleader, composer, guitarist and rock politician. Zappa pursued a respected course over more than a quarter of a century. He shone a lot of joy in my life and in particular on that memorable night.
Cheers Frank
Pete Byrne, Wayward Sons Road Manager