Frank Zappa cover of "Stairway to Heaven" May, 8th, 1988 Wien (Vienna) Stadthalle audience shot VHS (video) + Master Copy audience recording (audio), mastered by Zappateer boguspomp (camera shake stabilized by RU-vid)
You are correct Sir! Never in my wildest dreams could I have thought up substituting the horns in place of the guitar solo. But it works so beautifully like it was always meant to be that way! All provided to us through the genius of Zappa!
It happened almost by accident: As was Frank's usual practice with his later bands, they learned the song without him and another guy (Scott Thunes, in this case) rehearsing the band; the original intention was for FZ to take a solo on it. During that period, Mike Keneally (stunt guitar) - who has an AMAZING ear - learned Jimmy Page's original solo, and played it as a placeholder. At some point in that process Paul Carman (alto sax) picked up the solo from Mike playing it repeatedly, and started playing it in unison with him. When Frank showed up and they ran through the tune, they played it the way they'd rehearsed it - and Frank said, "That's brilliant! Can all the horns do that?" So Paul wrote it out in harmony for all five horns.
worst cameraman in the history of live concerts. The coolest thing about this is that the whole horn section plays the guitar solo at the end but cameraman is focusing on the bass player and the guitarist
@@TooSkinnyKenny His music was incredibly serious. He just didn't take himself seriously in the process. This is an absolutely brilliant arrangement and performance.
@@SimpleManGuitars1973 yes his music was serious but it was just so quirky. Apostrophe and Sleep Dirt are the ONLY albums of his i could sit through completely.
I saw them in concert myself. they were the best technical band I have ever seen. so many changes in rhythm and key and the guys were always perfect. so well practiced.
Frank was always so original, even when re-arranging music he didn’t write. The unpredictability and re-imagining, improvising was the essence of his musicality
@@benaustin6361 Actually, I think it's Zappa's way of saying that Page's original version is not a "real" solo. Frank was very disdainful of the idea of the guitar hero, and often referred to the phallic symbolism of both the solo and the instrument. Frank did a couple of iconic rock covers on that tour (this one and I Am The Walrus) as well as Ravel's Bolero. I'm certain Zappa had cogent and conceptual continuity reasons for including them, but I never heard him explain why. You may be right though. Perhaps it was Frank's way of tipping his hat to other forms of genius, or it may be because he loved to thwart audience expectation!
yepp! n Frank could do any genre n song n way better then the org. version. I saw most of his Norway- shows incl this '88. Cry every day didn't go abroad see more.. eg. string of cons this time of year London Hammersmith Odeon '78. How could i be 22 yrs n such a fool- makes me wonder
@@pallland496 I saw him twice in Glasgow (1977 and 1979) and once in London (1988). The first one was only my second gig, and I was in the front row! The only problem was the stage was 12 feet high, and I saw NOTHING! The good news was when Frank appeared he came right to the edge of the precipice and looked right down at me. Bodyguard John Smothers spent the whole gig kneeling at the edge of the stage, but there was no prospect of anyone getting up there. Not unless we'd formed a human pyramid!
I named my youngest son Zappa - as a first name. As far as we know, the only one on planet earth. He is 15 now and he loves his name - Frank’s music not sooo much. I am sure it will come.
I saw this band play this in Cleveland and it still ranks as one of my favorite performances I've seen. The horn section took the top of our heads off with the solo.
Ike Willis is fantastic. Seems to be saying with his gesture to the band, Yes, I know echoing with laughter is wonderful, ok yes, enough with the laughter, thank you I will proceed with next verse now
This appears on the Best Band You Never Heard in Your Life album. It IS pure genius that he has the horn section play the solo note-for-note. I took it as an homage to Page. That Zappa wouldn’t f*** with one of the most iconic solos ever. Instead, he lets us hear it in a fresh innovative way. Genius!
I saw them at the Beacon theater in NYC met Frank n hung with Ike n a few members that night...but when they were doing Stairway i remember thinking to myself as the solo was coming up....what is Frank gonna do? his mangle it strangle it Frank solo?...or Page's solo.....my head exploded when the horn section slayed it.... flash forward ...I would end up doing countless shows with Ike n many Zappa Alumni in Project Object
I saw Zappa in Vancouver ,October 1981, didn't know what to expect but was blown away by Franks musicianship ,his guitar solos were unbelievable and to this day myself and the two friends that were with me always talk about how great of a concert it truely was, rip Frank....
I saw that tour a month or so later. Little Stevie Vai! Not only was the musicianship incredible (of course), but it was so FUNNY! I left the theater with a sore gut from laughing so hard. RIP Frank; we miss you, man.
What makes Zappa special for me, is that he always had an eye on other artists music. This is a wonderful homage to one of the greatest song in the era of rock, just played a little different. 😃
Oh yeah He was recently diagnosed with cancer if anybody up here in the comments section didn't see that on the subreddit the other week I wanna say that it's prostate cancer but it could be lung
@@maplelafe7671 I think his GoFundMe or whatever site he used reached its target a couple months ago or so but if you have a link to a more current funding project I'll try to donate. Thanks
I was among the fortunate few Americans that got to see the Zappa tour that year. I still can't believe a small group of musicians could be so petty and throw away a season of touring with a Zappa band. You can hear it all on "The Best Band You Never Heard In Your Life". Did not expect the horns solo. Powerful to see and hear live.
I was among the fortunate few Englishman that got to see this band too. They did a few concerts here, I saw them at Brighton on the south coast, just down the coast from where I live. A whole bunch of us hired a bus. Zoot Allures on 'Best Band' was recorded that night. It was a fabulous night, they were brilliant.
This was a fantastic and ear-opening version! The horn charts, especially for the final solo, were incredible. However, for me, it's hard to beat the Kennedy Center Honors version with Nancy Wilson, Jason Bonham, multiple guitarists, orchestra and choir! In any case, what a tribute to the song and to the band that created such magic.
What an amazing rendition. Frank was a true genius that would be such an asset to the current dialogue musically and political discourse. Thank GOD for the gift of hearing.........
Saw this tour at Wembley, absolutely amazing. Top musicians and Zappa's humour made it a wonderful show.They really did an amazing version of Stairway, kudos to Frank.There'll never be another like him, genius ☘
Saw this in Rochester with the whole Beatles thing and was blown away. The horns are great but bobby Martin belting out the vocals at the end kills it. Miss u frank, but thanks for years of great music.
That would've been May 11, 1980. Killer show, too. Arf arf! Here's the setlist to jog your memory: Chunga's Revenge Keep It Greasey, Outside Now City Of Tiny Lights Society Pages I'm A Beautiful Guy Beauty Knows No Pain Charlie's Enormous Mouth Pick Me I'm Clean Cosmik Debris You Didn't Try To Call Me I Ain't Got No Heart Love Of My Life Easy Meat I Don't Wanna Get Drafted Joe's Garage, Why Does It Hurt When I Pee? Dancin' Fool You Are What You Is Dong Work For Yuda Lucille Has Messed My Mind Up Don't Eat The Yellow Snow The Illinois Enema Bandit
Frank Zappa (guitar/Synclavier/vocals), Ike Willis (rhythm guitar/vocals), Mike Keneally (stunt guitar/keyboards/vocals), Robert Martin (keyboards/Synclavier/ vocals), Ed Mann (percussion/Synclavier/vocals), Scott Thunes (bass/mini-moog), Chad Wackerman (drums/electronic percussion), Walt Fowler (trumpet/flugelhorn/Synclavier), Bruce Fowler (trombone), Paul Carman (alto/soprano sax), Albert Wing (tenor sax), Kurt McGettrick (baritone sax). Personnel on the 1988 tour
Musik wie ein interessantes Gemälde - Begleitet mich schon 25 Jahre und erinnert mich an meine Jugend. Mir geht immer noch das Herz auf, wenn ich es höre ❤
I saw this tour. He did this tune and a medley of other early bands like The Beatles. It was all in good fun. Little did I know, it was all coming to an end.
The horns are flat-out fuckin` KILLIN` it ! Zappa was my first-ever concert (The Balloon Farm, NYC 1966), and saw him multiple times through the years. He always had the most amazing musicians with him. Even STING (!) did a guest appearance with Frank....
I saw Zappa and his various bands, five times in the 70's at the Uptown Theater in Chicago. It was always great, and we were always tripping on acid to kick it up a notch.
It blows my mind that this line up had so much drama and fell apart so badly after they went to Europe. Regardless, Frank was ALWAYS changing and adding to the orchestrations. The way they played these songs at the beginning of the 88 tour vs the end is mental. I miss you Frank. So, so much.
I’m a fan of Zappa’s musical creativity/genius, but, by no means would I call myself a "Frankophile". This is the first time I’ve ever heard him perform a cover of anyone else’s music and it was great. Thank you very much for sharing this with us. Great stuff!!👍🏼
@@splubber thanks very much-I saw Sting on the "10 Somner’s Tails" tour. I felt for him, just by the crowd’s indifference to his solo material. He took a break, & the crowd started to get confused-the "house lights" weren’t on so what was going on? I don’t know, but he came out & as soon as he played the 1st chord of "Roxanne", the crowd went nuts & in typical Vancouver style, they rushed the stage & went crazy after every song in the 2nd half of the show-which was all songs from his time in The Police-the 1st half was strictly solo material. He put on a great show. Christopher Cross could play the juice out of a guitar, I’m looking forward to hearing that. Thanks.
Ya gotta love Ike Willis here! And despite the seeming irreverence with the comical sound effects, etc., there's no mistaking the homage to Page's guitar solo with the note-for-note ensemble treatment!
This is recorded in good quality live on one of the “Best band you never heard in your life” CD sets released by Frank. All great recordings from the road. What excellent bands he had. Ike nailed this one as usual. Great voice!
This is from Bootleg , good Concert, i have this too...From this Song gives a Maxi Single , of the other Side is Bolero.. ZAPPA was a Genius !!! Thank you from Germany for this good make repair Video.
I love you FZ, I hate you FZ. It's a total travesty of such an iconic rock song. Its totalll unbelievably brilliant. God bless you Frank. Few have made irreverence such an art form Mr C
