FZ chronology

1970

January 8, 1970 The Record Plant, LA
New remix
Stan Agol—remix engineer
c. January 1970? Thee Experience, LA
FZ—guitar, vocals
Captain Beefheart—harmonica, vocals
Don Sugarcane Harris—violin
Ian Underwood—guitar, keyboards, sax
Max Bennett—bass
Ed Greene—drums
 
February 8, 1970 Sports Arena, San Diego, CA
FZ—guitar, vocals
Ian Underwood—keyboards, sax
Max Bennett—bass
Ed Greene—drums
 
February 9, 1970 The Mothers Of Invention Burnt Weeny Sandwich (LP, Bizarre/Reprise RS 6370)
February 16, 1970 Jeff Simmons Lucille Has Messed My Mind Up (LP, Straight STS 1057) produced by LaMarr Bruister & Chris Huston
February 19, 1970 The Record Plant, LA
FZ—drums & percussion
February 1970 The Record Plant, LA
FZ—guitars, bass

March-April 1970
Hot Rats/Chunga

  Hot Rats/Chunga:
FZ—guitar, vocals
Don Sugarcane Harris—violin, vocals
Ian Underwood—keyboards, sax
Max Bennett—bass
Aynsley Dunbar—drums
 
March 1, 1970 FZ's Basement
Engineer: Dick Kunc

FZ—guitar
Ian Underwood—keyboards
Max Bennett—bass
Aynsley Dunbar—drums
March 4, 1970 The Record Plant, LA
Engineer: Stan Agol

FZ—guitar, vocals
Don Sugarcane Harris—violin, vocals
Ian Underwood—keyboards, sax
Max Bennett—bass
Aynsley Dunbar—drums
March 9, 1970 The Record Plant, LA
FZ—guitar, vocals
Don Sugarcane Harris—violin, vocals
Ian Underwood—keyboards, sax
Max Bennett—bass
Aynsley Dunbar—drums
March 10, 1970 The Record Plant, LA
FZ—guitar, vocals
Ian Underwood—keyboards, sax
Max Bennett—bass
Aynsley Dunbar—drums
March 11, 1970 The Record Plant, LA
FZ—guitar, vocals
Don Sugarcane Harris—violin, vocals
Ian Underwood—keyboards, sax
March 30-April 1970 Five days shooting of Uncle Meat at Zappa's house, Hollywood Ranch Market and Wadleigh Maurice edit room by Haskell Wexler

May 5-15, 1970
MOI Reunion Tour

  The Mothers Of Invention:
FZ—guitar, vocals
Ray Collins—vocals
Don Preston—keyboards
Ian Underwood—alto sax
Motorhead—baritone sax
Jeff Simmons—bass, vocals
Billy Mundi—drums
Aynsley Dunbar—drums
 
May 15, 1970 Contempo 70
Pauley Pavilion, UCLA

The Mothers Of Invention with:
L.A. Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Zubin Mehta
including:
Kurt Reher—cello
Roger Bobo—tuba
Mario Guarneri—trumpet
Michele Zukovsky—clarinet
William Kraft—percussion
Mickey Nadel—bass
featuring:
George Duke—piano and celeste
Ernie Watts—alto and tenor sax
Johnny Rotella—baritone and bass sax
Emil Richards—percussion
May 25, 1970 Jean-Luc Ponty King Kong (LP, Pacific Jazz ST 20172) arranged and composed by FZ

June 12-13, 1970
US East Coast

  The Mothers:
FZ—guitar, vocals
Howard Kaylan—vocals
Mark Volman—vocals
George Duke—keyboards, trombone
Ian Underwood—keyboards, alto sax
Jeff Simmons—bass, vocals
Aynsley Dunbar—drums
The Mothers '70

June 18-28, 1970
Europe

June 18, 1970 Piknik, VPRO, Uddel, Netherlands
June 21-22, 1970 Trident Studios, London, UK
Engineer: Roy Thomas Baker

July 1-5, 1970
US East Coast

July 5, 1970 Tyrone Guthrie Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Engineer: Bruce Margolis

July-August 1970
FZ in Europe

July 25, 1970 Frank Zappa, Jean-Luc Pony & Mothers Of Invention:
Riviera Festival
Valbonne, Antibes, France

FZ—guitar
Jean-Luc Ponty—violin
Alby Cullaz—bass
Aldo Romano—drums
August 8-9, 1970 Frank Zappa & Hot Rats:
Pop Festival Saint Raphael
Saint Raphael, France

CANCELED
 
August 10, 1970 The Mothers Of Invention Weasels Ripped My Flesh (LP, Bizarre/Reprise MS 2028)

August 21-October 4, 1970
US West Coast & Canada

  The Mothers:
FZ—guitar, vocals
Howard Kaylan—vocals
Mark Volman—vocals
George Duke—keyboards, trombone
Ian Underwood—keyboards, alto sax
Jeff Simmons—bass, vocals
Aynsley Dunbar—drums
 
August 21, 1970 Civic Auditorium, Santa Monica, CA
August 28-29, 1970 Whitney Studios, Glendale, CA
Engineer: probably Dick Kunc
August 29, 1970 The Record Plant, LA, CA
Engineer: Stan Agol
August 1970 Whitney Studios, Glendale, CA
1970 Jimmy Carl Black—vocals
c. September-October 1970 (Various locations)
Uher 2-track
Recorded by FZ
c. September 16, 1970 Airplane to Spokane, WA
prob. September 16, 1970 Spokane, WA
September 17, 1970 Coliseum, Spokane, WA
September 18, 1970 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
September 19, 1970 Vancouver, BC, Canada
c. September 20, 1970 The Edgewater Inn, Seattle, WA
September 20, 1970 Seattle, WA
September 21, 1970 Portland, OR
September 26, 1970 Pepperland, San Rafael, CA

October 8-October 25, 1970
US East Coast

October 1970 unknown location
October 9, 1970 Florida Airport
Uher 2-track
Recorded by FZ
October 9, 1970 Tully Gymnasium, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida
Uher 2-track
Recorded by FZ
October 1970 Sports Stadium, Orlando, FL
Uher 2-track
Recorded by FZ
October 1970 Jacksonville, FL
  • "What's The Deal, Dick?" [#116]
October 21, 1970 Music Hall, Cincinnati, Ohio
Uher 2-track
Recorded by FZ
October 23, 1970 Frank Zappa Chunga's Revenge (LP, Bizarre/Reprise MS 2030)
October 23, 1970 Kleinhans Music Hall, Buffalo, NY
October 24, 1970 Fieldhouse, Beloit College, Beloit, WI
October 25, 1970 Depot, Minneapolis, MN
  • Turn It Down! [#116]
c. September-October 1970 Unknown date & venue

November 5-7, 1970
US West Coast

November 5-7, 1970 Fillmore West, San Francisco, CA
November 6, 1970 Fillmore West, San Francisco, CA

November 13-21, 1970
US East Coast

November 13, 1970 Fillmore East, NYC

November 26-December 16, 1970
Europe

November 29, 1970 London, UK
Uher 2-track
Recorded by FZ
December 15, 1970 Gaumont Palace, Paris
Jean-Luc Ponty—guest violin
December 1970 FZ moves to London  

1971

January 18, 1971 First script-reading of 200 Motels
Kensington Palace Hotel
Uher 2-track
Recorded by Mark Volman
January 19, 1971 Jeff Simmons leaves The Mothers
Kensington Palace Hotel
Uher 2-track
Recorded by Mark Volman
January 1971 Martin Lickert fills in for the movie  
January 28-February 5, 1971 Pinewood Studios, UK
The Mobile Rolling Stones
16-track Engineer: Bob Auger
February 8, 1971 "200 Motels" show at the Royal Albert Hall, London, cancelled  
April 1971 Whitney Studios, Glendale
Engineer: Barry Keene
   
  • CUT 3 "Coming Soon! . . . "/200 Motels Movie Ad #1 [13] [#120]
  • CUT 1 "Coming Soon! . . . "/200 Motels Movie Ad #2 [13] [#120]
  • 200 Motels Movie Ad #3 [#120]
  • 200 Motels Movie Ad #4 [#120]
  • 200 Motels Commercial Session Outtakes [#120]
  • CUT 2 "The Wide Screen Erupts . . . "/200 Motels Movie Ad #5 [13] [#120]
  • What Is 200 Motels? [#120]
  • Movie Theater Skit (Commercial Session Outtake) [#120]
  • 200 Motels Album Ad #1 [#120]
  • 200 Motels Album Ad #2 [#120]
  • TV Hype (Commercial Session Outtake) [#120]
  • CUT 4 "Frank Zappa's 200 Motels . . . "/200 Motels Movie Ad #6 [13] [#120]

May 1971
US West Coast

  The Mothers:
FZ—guitar, vocals
Howard Kaylan—vocals
Mark Volman—vocals
Bob Harris—keyboards
Ian Underwood—keyboards, alto sax
Jim Pons—bass, vocals
Aynsley Dunbar—drums
The Mothers Summer '71

May 21-June 6, 1971
US East Coast

May 21, 1971 Auditorium Theatre, Chicago, IL
cassette
May 25, 1971 Olympia Stadium, Detroit, MI
cassette
June 1, 1971 Watres Armory, Scranton, PA
4-track
Engineer: Barry Keene
June 3, 1971 State Farm Show Arena, Harrisburg, PA
4-track
Engineer: Barry Keene
June 5, 1971 Fillmore East, New York, NY
(early show)
Fedco Remote
16-track
Engineer: Barry Keene

Don Preston—guest Minimoog*
June 5, 1971 Fillmore East, New York, NY
(late show)
Fedco Remote
16-track
Engineer: Barry Keene

Don Preston—guest Minimoog*
June 6, 1971 Fillmore East, New York, NY
(early show)
Fedco Remote
16-track
Engineer: Barry Keene

Don Preston—guest Minimoog*
June 6, 1971 Fillmore East, New York, NY
(late show)
Fedco Remote
16-track
Engineer: Barry Keene

John Lennon—guest guitar & vocals*
Yoko Ono—guest vocals*
Don Preston—guest Minimoog*
c. June-July 1971 Whitney Studios, Glendale
Engineers: Barry Keene & Toby Foster

June 30-July 10, 1971
US East Coast & Canada

July 21, 1971 Junier Mintz Tears Began To Fall / Junier Mintz Boogie (7", Straight 1027)
c. July-August 1971 Rehearsal hall
  • Homemade Radio Spot [#121] [#12 (50th Anniversary)]
  • Homemade Radio Spot Outtakes [#121]
August 2, 1971 The Mothers Fillmore East—June 1971 (LP, Bizarre/Reprise MS 2042)

August 7, 1971
Los Angeles

  The Mothers:
FZ—guitar, vocals
Howard Kaylan—vocals
Mark Volman—vocals
Don Preston—keyboards
Ian Underwood—keyboards, alto sax
Jim Pons—bass, vocals
Aynsley Dunbar—drums
The Mothers autumn '71
August 7, 1971 Pauley Pavilion, UCLA
Scully 4-track
Engineer: Barry Keene

August 25-29, 1971
US West Coast

October 1-2, 1971
California

October 4-24, 1971
US East Coast & Canada

October 4, 1971 Frank Zappa Frank Zappa's 200 Motels (2 LPs, Bizarre/United Artists UAS 9956)
October 11, 1971 Carnegie Hall, NYC, NY
Nagra mono
October 22, 1971 KBEY-FM, Kansas City, MO
  • Suzy Creamcheese (What's Got Into You) [79]
  • "My Favorite Album" [85]
November 10, 1971 Premiere

November 19-December 10, 1971
European Tour

December 4, 1971 Casino, Montreux, Switzerland
December 10, 1971 Rainbow Theatre, London, UK
EMI Remote, 8-track
Recording engineers: Bob Auger & Barry Keene

1972

1972 Zappa Basement
4-track
January 10, 1972 Whitney Studios, Glendale, CA
Engineer: Barry Keene
January 26, 1972 Bolic Sound, Inglewood, CA
Engineer: Barry Keene
1972 Bolic Sound, Inglewood, CA
Engineer: Barry Keene
Spring, 1972 cassette
FZ—guitar
Tony Duran—guitar
Ian Underwood—keyboards
Sal Marquez—trumpet
Malcolm McNab—trumpet
Ken Shroyer—trombone
Tony Ortega—woodwinds
Alex Dmochowski—bass
Aynsley Dunbar—drums
March 26, 1972 Las Mothers Just Another Band From L.A. (LP, Bizarre/Reprise MS 2075)
April 10 (or 17?), 1972 Paramount Recording Studios, LA, CA
Engineer: Kerry McNabb

FZ—guitar
Tony Duran—slide guitar
George Duke—keyboards
Sal Marquez—trumpet, vocals
Kris Peterson—vocals
Erroneous—bass
Aynsley Dunbar—drums
April 11 (or 18?), 1972 Paramount Recording Studios, LA, CA
Engineer: Kerry McNabb

FZ—guitar
Tony Duran—slide guitar
George Duke—keyboards
Sal Marquez—trumpet
Erroneous—bass
Aynsley Dunbar—drums
April 13 (or 14?), 1972 Paramount Recording Studios, LA, CA
Engineer: Kerry McNabb

FZ—guitar
Tony Duran—guitar
Don Preston—Minimoog
Janet Neville-Ferguson—vocals
Sal Marquez—trumpet, vocals
Malcolm McNab—brass
Bill Byers—trombone
Ken Shroyer—brass
Ernie Tack—brass
Mike Altschul—woodwinds
Earle Dumler—woodwinds
Tony "Bat Man" Ortega—woodwinds
JoAnn Caldwell McNab—woodwinds
Johnny Rotella—woodwinds
Fred Jackson—woodwinds
Bob Zimmitti—percussion
Alan Estes—percussion
Erroneous—bass
Aynsley Dunbar—drums
April 19, 1972 Paramount Recording Studios, LA, CA
Engineer: Kerry McNabb

FZ—guitar
Tony Duran—slide guitar*
Jeff Simmons—guitar*
"Sneaky Pete" Kleinow—pedal steel*
Sal Marquez—trumpet
Erroneous—bass
Aynsley Dunbar—drums
April 21, 1972 Paramount Recording Studios, LA, CA
Engineer: Kerry McNabb

FZ
Sal Marquez
April 22, 1972 Paramount Recording Studios, LA, CA
Engineer: Kerry McNabb
May 2, 1972 Ruben & The Jets
Paramount Recording Studios, LA, CA
Produced by FZ
Engineer: Kerry McNabb

Sal Marquez—trumpet?
  • Spirit Of Love (?)
  • Wedding Bells (Camarena) [Ruben & The Jets For Real]
  • Flash Gordon (Mah Man Flash) (Guevara) [Ruben & The Jets For Real]
May 3, 1972 Ruben & The Jets
Paramount Recording Studios, LA, CA
Produced by FZ
Engineer: Kerry McNabb

FZ—guitar
Sal Marquez—trumpet?
Jim Sherwood—baritone sax, tambourine
Robert "Buffalo" Roberts—tenor sax
Tony Duran—piano, slide guitar
Elpidio Cobain—percussion
Clarence Matsui—?
May 5, 1972 Paramount Recording Studios, LA, CA
Engineer: Kerry McNabb

FZ—guitar
Sal Marquez—brass
Mike Altschul—woodwinds
Joel Peskin—woodwinds
April-May 1972 Don Preston—keyboards
Bill Byers—trombone
Ken Shroyer—trombone
Mike Altschul—woodwinds
April-May 1972 Mike Altschul—woodwinds
Joel Peskin—woodwinds
Sal Marquez—trumpet
April-May 1972 FZ—guitar, percussion
Sal Marquez—brass
Mike Altschul—woodwinds
Joel Peskin—woodwinds
Lee Clement—gong
May 23, 1972 FZ—guitar, vocals
George Duke—keyboards, vocals
Sal Marquez—trumpet, vocals
Ken Shroyer—trombone
Ernie Watts—sax
Mike Altschul—woodwinds
Erroneous—bass
Aynsley Dunbar—drums
Lauren "Chunky"Wood—vocals
May 24, 1972 Paramount Recording Studios, LA, CA
Engineer: Kerry McNabb

FZ—guitar
George Duke—keyboards
Sal Marquez—trumpet
Lauren "Chunky"Wood—vocals?
Susie Glover—vocals?
Erroneous—bass
Aynsley Dunbar—drums
June 19, 1972 John Lennon & Yoko Ono/Plastic Ono Band/Elephant's Memory Some Time In New York City (2 LPs, Applr SVBB-3392)
June 25, 1972 Paramount Recording Studios, LA, CA
Engineer: Kerry McNabb
July 5, 1972 Frank Zappa/Hot Rats Waka/Jawaka (LP, Bizarre/Reprise MS 2094)
July 1972 Paramount Recording Studios, LA, CA
Engineer: Kerry McNabb

FZ—bouzouki
Jean-Luc Ponty—baritone violin
George Duke—keyboards
John Guerin—drums
September 6, 1972 Hollywood Bowl, LA, CA
Lukas Foss—conductor
FZ—narrator
Tim Buckley—soldier
Ernest Fleischmann—devil
Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra

September 10-24, 1972
US & Europe Grand Wazoo Tour

  Frank Zappa/Grand Wazoo/Mothers/Hot Rats:
FZ—guitar, vocals
Tony Duran—slide guitar
Ian Underwood—synthesizer
Malcolm McNab—trumpet
Sal Marquez—trumpet
Tom Malone—tuba
Bruce Fowler—trombone
Glenn Ferris—trombone
Ken Shroyer—trombone
Jay Migliori—flute, saxophone, clarinet
Mike Altschul—woodwinds
Ray Reed—saxophone, clarinet
Charles Owens—saxophone, clarinet
JoAnn Caldwell McNab—bassoon
Earle Dumler—oboe
Jerry Kessler—cello
Tom Raney—percussion
Ruth Underwood—percussion
Dave Parlato—bass
Jim Gordon—drums
 
September 24, 1972 Music Hall, Boston, MA
2-track

October 27-December 15, 1972
US "Petit Wazoo" Tour

  Frank Zappa/The Mothers Of Invention (aka The 'Petit' Wazoo):
FZ—guitar, vocals
Tony Duran—slide guitar
Malcolm McNab—trumpet
Gary Barone—trumpet
Tom Malone—tuba
Bruce Fowler—trombone
Glenn Ferris—trombone
Earle Dumler—oboe
Dave Parlato—bass
Jim Gordon—drums
Petit Wazoo
October 27, 1972 Forum, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
cassette
Engineer: Barry Keene
November 1, 1972 Palace Theater, Waterbury, CT
4-track
Engineer: Barry Keene
November 4, 1972 Park Center Arena, Charlotte, NC
4-track
Engineer: Barry Keene
November 5, 1972 Township Auditorium, Columbia, SC
Maury Baker—drums
4-track
Engineer: Barry Keene
  • "Columbia, S.C." (Parts 1 & 2) [#109] [#109]
November 8, 1972 Electric Lady Studios, NYC
Engineer: Dave Whitman

FZ—guitar
Tony Duran—guitar
Tom Malone or Earle Dumler?—flute
Jack Bruce—bass
Dave Parlato—bass
Jim Gordon—drums
November 10, 1972 Irvine Auditorium, University Of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA (early show)
4-track
Engineer: Barry Keene
November 11, 1972 DAR Constitution Hall, Washington, DC (early show)
4-track
Engineer: Barry Keene
November 18, 1972 Paramount Recording Studios, Los Angeles, CA
Engineer: Kerry McNabb
November 27, 1972 The Mothers The Grand Wazoo (LP, Bizarre/Reprise MS 2093)
December 2, 1972 Cowtown Ballroom, Kansas City, MO (early show)
4-track
Engineer: Barry Keene
December 2, 1972 Cowtown Ballroom, Kansas City, MO (late show)
4-track
Engineer: Barry Keene
December 9, 1972 Paramount Northwest Theatre, Portland, OR (late show)
4-track
Engineer: Barry Keene
December 15, 1972 Winterland, San Francisco, CA
4-track
Engineer: Barry Keene
October 27-December 15, 1972 unknown date and venue
4-track
Engineer: Barry Keene
December 19, 1972 Paramount Recording Studios, Los Angeles, CA
Engineer: Kerry McNabb

FZ—guitar, vocals
unidentified rhythm guitar, bass & drums
prob. 1972 FZ—guitar
prob. 1972 George Duke—electric piano
1972 Whitney Studios, Glendale, CA
Engineer: Barry Keene
This project researched & developed by Román García Albertos
http://www.donlope.net/fz/
WARNING: This is not a complete list of FZ concerts, as only those of special significance or which are represented in FZ's official output appear in this chronology. If you're looking for an exhaustive list of FZ concerts go to Charles Ulrich's Frank Zappa Gig List, and if you're looking for the complete known setlists go to Oscar Bianco's FZShows, v. 7.1.
Here's a list of main sources & contributions
Release dates and sessions information taken from Greg Russo, Cosmik Debris: The Collected History And Improvisations Of Frank Zappa (The Son Of Revised), 2003
Concert dates and venues taken from Charles Ulrich's Frank Zappa Gig List
Corrections & additions welcome
This page updated: 2024-01-25