Can it really be 25 years - seems like it was last night...best seats I ever had at any show - 3rd row center...3rd show I saw that tour. There were rumors that he'd return later in the fall after Europe and after the West coast. Since there was a death threat in Hartford the month before there were metal detectors - I had to put my recording device back in the car. Even though all the shows were being taped up till then I thought - no way anyone is getting this (I didn't know that someone had got in early and not only recorded the show but the shound check). As they got close to showtime and had folks backed up waiting to come in - they bypassed the detectors after a while (There are at least 4 sources of the show that I am aware of).

The show was awsome - the opening guitar riff of Stinkfoot was great and it got better from there. The Beatles medley (Texas Motel medley) - which we all had heard from the tapes from the Detroit shows were unbelieveable. It appeared that 88 was going to be a GREAT Zappa year. I held off going to see them again in March (the tour was mostly just the North East or not too far away) as we had all fall to look forward to. That as you probably already know was not to be. What we didn't know then was that there was a lot of in-fighting and tension within the band that would soon cause it's self destruction.

So long ago and yet as I said - sometimes it feels like it was just last evening...

1988 03 13 - Civic Center, Springfield, MA
Soundcheck / rehearsals
105 min, Aud, B
FZ guitar workout and loops (incl: Octandre, Big Swifty, Inca Roads, Carmen, A Pound For A Brown), various instruments soundcheck (q: Black Napkins, What's New In Baltimore, Packard Goose, Inca Roads, Any Kind Of Pain, Eat That Question), Eric Dolphy Memorial Barbecue, Sofa, Stevie's Spanking, My Guitar Wants To Kill Your Mama, Willie The Pimp, Filthy Habits, Jesus Thinks You're A Jerk Monologue (w/ Eric Buxton), (q: Money), The Black Page (q: Filthy Habits), Royal March from L'Histoire Du Soldat (incl. G Spot Tornado, Strictly Genteel), Disco Boy, Teenage Wind,Truck Driver Divorce, Advance Romance (q: Never On Sunday), Guitar Loops (q: A Pound For A Brown, Truck Driver Divorce), You Are What You Is (q: Never On Sunday), Mudd Club (q: Never On Sunday, The Meek Shall Inherit Nothing), I'm The Slime (q: Never On Sunday)

Show
130 min, Aud, B+
Stinkfoot, Who Needs The Peace Corps?, Outside Now, Disco Boy, Teenage Wind, Truck Driver Divorce, Packard Goose Meedley [incl. Theme From The Bartok Piano Concert No. 3, MAJNH], Any Kind Of Pain, When The Lie's So Big, Jesus Thinks You're A Jerk, I Am The Walrus, City Of Tiny Lights, A Pound For A Brown, Texas Motel Medley, Sofa, Peaches En Regalia, Stairway To Heaven, Joe's Garage, Why Does It Hurt When I Pee?, The Illinois Enema Bandit.

Saw three consecutive nights in Philly at the Tower Theater in February '88. All different set lists each night (of course), and loads of Valentine's Day wackiness. Saw two shows in '84 at the Tower as well - my only FZ shows.

I only saw Frank once, Frank with Jerry Garcia Band opening at the UIC Circle in Chicago. I am pretty sure it was 85. Had 14th row center. What a great show. Was deployed overseas during the 88 tour...figured I'd see him again - not meant to be.

It was 1984......the only time they ever played together.

FZ 88 - I was only at one of the Beacon Theater shows.

I have the same weird feeling with Grateful Dead shows......after spending so much time seeing so many, it's strange to think pretty soon, Jerry Garcia's gonig to be gone for 20 years.

I was hoping that Gail would mark the last tour with a 25th anniversary release - a complete show - or run of shows like the Beacon...nothing yet...

maybe on the 50th anniversary?

Saw the band twice on that tour (saw the '84 band once). An awesome conglomeration of musicians. The Texas Motel medley was awesome and very biting. The cover of "Stairway" was simply dynamite. They played "Uncle Remus" at the first show I saw - one of three appearances on that tour, I believe. As good as the band was, you could feel the energy and anticipation rise when Frank reached for his guitar.

If they did a series of releases from this tour, I'd be all over it. But first we have to wait for the 75th anniversary edition of Roxy...

Dancing Fool played on the Underground Garage on the drive in this morning. Thanks, Frank.