Steve Vai talking to Co de Kloet about his book "Frank & Co" 

68 years old, retired construction and crying like a baby. What a wonderful conversation betweenst you two and a great ride down memory lane.

Co de Kloet did a LOT to 'promote' Zappa's music here in The Netherlands (and elsewhere); mainly on the the radio. I am a big fan of Franks music and thanks to Co I also learned many things about Frank as a person, composer, producer, and as a guitarist. Steve Vai: you are also a great interviewer! Thank you both for this.

After years of listening to Steve's music I am starting to realize the deep influence FZ's music has in it..

I could not love this more. The bond between these two amazing artists, both sharing their love of the great master who anointed them, is beautiful. The phrase "You're here for that cup of coffee..." will never be the same to me again. #MuchLove

“I was 20 and he was Frank”. Love that!

you can see the respect Vai has for Co in the calm ease of conversation. None of his typical light hearted show boating or cheese, just a comfortable conversation between two close friends.

FZ talked about Lost in a Whirlpool and the Antelope Valley Junior College recording. “Lost in a Whirlpool” was taped on one of those tape recorders that you have in a school in the audio/visual department. We went into this room, this empty room at the junior college in Lancaster, after school, and got this tape recorded, and just turned it on. The guitars are me and my brother (Bobby Zappa) and the vocal is Don Vliet. The story of “Lost in a Whirlpool” goes back even farther. When I was in high school in San Diego in ‘55, there was a guy who grew up to be a sports writer named Larry Littlefield. He, and another guy named Jeff Harris, and I used to hang out, and we used to make up stories, little skits and stuff, you know, dumb little teenage things. One of the plots that we cooked up was about a person who was skindiving-San Diego’s a surfer kind of an area-skindiving in the San Diego sewer system [laughter], and talking about encountering brown, blind fish. [laughter] It was kind of like the Cousteau expedition of its era. [laughter] So, when I moved to Lancaster from San Diego, I had discussed this scenario with Vliet, and that’s where the lyrics come from. It’s like a musical manifestation of this other skindiving scenario. Frank added that the recording is “the earliest tape that I have a copy of, from when I first started taping stuff.”

Frank was not just a unique musician, he was a unique PERSON.....With most contemporary artists when buying their new album you knew in advance what your ear would experience.....But with each new FRANK record literally ANYTHING could happen......ANYTHING...lol 😆🤣...Which is why one would buy his vinyl albums with such feelings of excited trepidation....'EXPECT the UNEXPECTED' 🤔😳😳.....lol ....& when he shot down that pompous politician on 'Crossfire' for me it was one of the funniest moments in the history of television.....lol

"You came for that cup of coffee." I wasn't prepared to cry when I pressed play on this video. Excellent conversation, and will definitely buy the book. Thanks Steve and Co!

On a serious note Co travelling all the way from Holland to LA under those tragic circumstances shows how much he cared about Frank. 😔 Brothers sharing a cup of coffee. Very moving story.

Two guys who have endless professional and personal love and respect for one another talking about the life and times of another guy who they have endless professional and personal love and respect for. Astonishing! Thank you for allowing us an insight into what must feel fantastic to be part of. Simply astonishing!

I read a third of the book in one sitting. Wasn’t planning on reading for a couple hours but the book grabbed me. I recommend. I love frank. I really do. One thing this book did more than anything I’ve read was let you get a feel for how an actual conversation with frank would have been. From the “mm hmms”. To the “huh?”s. You have to pay attention to the exclamations and questions marks and such and they become a big part of feeling the flow. Really good. Thanks Co!

I like how Frank's bands are often defined by his drummers

Frank Zappa and dynamo Suzi wasn't it that was his calling card that took him to fame and his amazing lyrics I felt .. one of a kind . I am 71 and you could never forget the Frank look and captain beefheart. You Steve were so lucky to be taken under his wings .. he saw your transcription talent and his comment that you played like a hotdog on fire or something was so Frank he loved you in only his way.like you have recognized Ellen .. you are the best Steve and every guitarist in the world would love to be you...you inspired me to practice finger exercise by sharing a little bit of your secrets and it was so cool I thought I can now play like Steve Vai if only ...Crossroads and passion and warfare white Snake and everything about you allways have blown me away.. and look who you married ... The best all female band in the world singer vixin..keep the chain unbroken with Ellen my friend.... Peace. Didn't Frank live in Lancaster California as I remember.. what a story about his life there growing up.. what a character and what a cool guy .. there will never be another that could come close. Glad to see you remenise and resonate with Co... more than a little bit of Frank rubbed off on you Steve. Must have been from alot of that smoke on the water.

Thank you for bringing the Dutch Connection into the spotlight. It broadened my impression of Frank and the special friends around him.

Thanks so much Steve, for posting this wonderful conversation! A real treasure for all of us who loved Frank's music to get such a personal, funny, and amazing glimpse of life with Frank. Now I'm off to hunt for the Metropole's recording of your work and Co's interview with Pamela Z🌄...

While hiking today, I listened to Zappa the whole time (Apostrophe, Hot Rats and half of Joe's Garage). Came home and this talk is up. Great discussion, thank you!

Thank you Steve for putting this out here and thank you Co for writing your book.

I bought the book when it came out. Read half of it. Loved it so much, I kept the last half for later, but after this conversation between you two...I got the urge to finish it. It's been on my desk for the last 6 months. The very first thing I heard from Frank started like this... One two, buckle my shoe... That was in 1968.

Steve you have been maybe the greatest ambassador for FZ, his music, the person and his memory. I've tried to read and watch most everything you've had to say about everything. Elegant heartfelt love for him and the music. But I see here there is a side to you I haven't seen, that of an interviewer. It's a hell of a lot harder than it looks and I think you'd be a natural at it. I'd like to see more and this was very heartwarming. Thank you both.

Love hearing stories related to Zappa. I just find it interesting. Thank you Vai for this. Love it

It's so cool when something like this comes around, it's like you get know frank that little bit more 💜

excellent interview. thank you!

I love those storys 'bout Frank ❣️ Thank you both so much 🤗❤️🔥🎸🎶✨

Thanks for this, great to hear these stories.

Thanks Steve

Amazing. I'm just blown away by this conversation.

I cried... Thank you!

Thank you both 4 this great interview! I love you guys!

Amazing interview and beautiful stories from Co. Getting the book!

THIS is one of the greatest interviews ever. Just two men who clearly admire one another and respect one another. Thank you to both of you.

Great stories, what a fantastic conversation

Very touching. Thank you Steve. Thank you Co. Making me all misty eyed. Dang.... Miss Frank.

Amazing memories! Thanks!

Terrific conversation, thanks guys

Lovely interview. Thanks Steve.

Well it's 4 am here in Quebec and I'm having a coffee and drooling on every words , do I need a Doctor ? Thank you Mr Vai for inviting this wonderful person .

Sweet...thanks guys~

Amazing. Love to you both, Steve and Co, love to Frank.

I love this. Thanks Co, thanks Steve and thank you Frank Zappa!

Steve Vai is absolutely the best!

I love this interview! And I do recognise feeling connected to Frank’s music on a deeper level. What happend to me, 43 years ago when I was 15, watching Rockpalast WDR live concert on tv. Never saw those men, but during that show it felt as if they switched on the light! I found the music I was searching for. I felt immediately connected, my creative brain and the way it works, I am an architect, felt similar to the Zappa’s complex music. Since that concert Zappa’s music is always there, as it is a foundation and inspiration. Thanks to you mr Vai and Co for the interview. Hugo

Thanks guys. What a great conversation about a world I love.

Very moving. It really was so interesting to see what it means to creators to have someone that really is deeply interested in their work.

Just a wonderful conversation. Loved every second of it. Missing YOU, Frank!

Great interview thanks 😊

Thank you! Good to know that Zappa is still alive.

Two guys who loved Frank so much. Awesome.

Beautiful - thanks for sharing.

Sounds like a great book. Looking forward to the Audiobook. I love hearing Frank talk about anything and everything..

Thoroughly enjoyed this conversation! Big Zappa fan myself since early 70s.

My introduction to Zappa was hearing 'Baby Snakes' on a weekly radio show called 'Dr Dimento' in the early 80's. I was about 12 years old. :)

Such a nice interview ❤

Mr Vai, I just want to thank you, and Co, for such a great conversation because that’s what it was. Your and Co’s love for Frank, and music in general (but there’s nothing general about it), is so evident. I look forward to reading Co’s book, as well as hearing your compositions.

Bro these stories! I am cracking up over here in Waynesboro TN Co is about to talk about something on a plane to see Frank

So great full to have met both of these fine men in Finland in the summer.

Very moving conversation. Frank's music has been a constant source of inspiration to me for over 40 years. Thank you for this Mr. Vai!

Love this interview, thanks for this Steve. I actually just finished Co's book and loved it. Both the verbatim interview sections and the commentary and memoirs included. I'd say it would even appeal to music enthusiasts in general as it has so many great backgrounds about the music industry (the introduction of the CD for example, and recording technology) and snapshots of the global events of that time. Also priceless, Co's unexpected meeting with conductor Kent Nagano. Co has made great radio and has always been an ambassador for non mainstream artists and music. very much looking forward to hearing this orchestral work steve! I ❤️ Metropole orchestra, and have seen them perform with Gregory Porter and Robert Glasper.

So… the great Steve Vai was a fan of FZ’s music and joined his band but he is dwarfed by the stories of Co. What a great interview by both and Steve’s mysterious laughs of recognition make me yearn for more stories… well done!!!

Love this. Great stories. Thank you Steve for this fantastic interview! Will buy the book.

Thanks for this post, I can't wait to check out the book and your orchestral music!

Such a wonderful thing..thank you guys..will be finding this book for sure!

Co came for the ☕ coffee Classic 🤣 Thanks for sharing

Yes! Thank you!!!

Great interview; thank you both!! I only saw Frank twice (once with Steve) while he was alive, and now catch Dweezil whenever I can; a beautiful and talented guy, just honoring the legacy of his father. Let him play:):):) 20:17 - the sound of someone "opening a can of worms"...

Thank you so much for sharing this oh great Steve Vai and of course to the great Co de Kloet for sharing this incredible book. As I continue to read it I've been agog and learned of not just new music but a wonderful side to Frank that sadly is often over looked by a lot of journalists and interviewers who are so obviously not really fans of Franks music. What I'm most amazed with here in Co's book, is that Frank gave incredibly LONG interviews(especially for Frank.) I could understand when Frank was short and to the point with a lot of interviewers as they obviously hadn't even heard his music and ask some really dumb questions. In sharp comparison Co asks great questions which are obviously from someone who is really into his music. I was also amazed and finally understood the way he stepped down from guitar to focus more on composing in later years, but went back to it after he discovered what a sad bunch of people exist in the classical world and it's sad that he couldn't have discovered some of the classical people of today who take music much more seriously and are not all about just getting paid. However I can totally understand Frank's reluctance when he outlaid such a scary amount of money only to get what happened. In fact he should be applauded for going back to do a second album to give it another try. Thanks for sharing, wonderful new information on my favorite composer.

Great Great Stuff, will buy book

Thanks Co, and thank you Steve.

What a genuinely sincere chat.

Great stories 😊

I need the Steve & Co book next ;) Great conversation!

This a great interview. I bought CO’s book last year and DEVOURED it. A great read!

Love the tale of coincidence with Miss Pamela’s uncle. That alone has sold the book to me! Great interview Steve.

Will have to buy the book as I have been a fan of Frank Zappa and his music since 1968. Musically the man was an absolute genius.

FANTASTIC!❤️🙏❤️🙏❤️🙏

Amazing interview and stories!👌🏻…

This was a very interesting interview! Thanks for this Steve!! By the way I loved your performance back in Belgium, in Olt Rivieren Hof! Love from the Netherlands🇳🇱🇳🇱🇳🇱❤️❤️

15 mnts in and it’s pretty flipping awesome.

Book purchase done! Thanks!

this is great. they had so much to say they never did get around to how they met even tho' mentioning half a dozen times that they were about to

That was so interesting - will definitely buy the book.

Love this. Its a treasure. Now i know who Steve Vai is and who Co is. Wonderfull conversation🤗

Thanks for this

Wow what a great conversation between true friends! This seems like a very cool book from my fellow Dutchman Co. Thanks to both of you!

Thanks Co & Steve !

One of my favourite books, can only recommend reading.

Thanks, Steve. This was a real treat. Be well, brother ✌️🙏🤙

Great interview

Awesome interview.

This "conversation" is simply beautifuL Made me want to buy the book. And i'm not even a FZ fan. :) Namaste.

Amazing talk!

That was really nice.

really enjoyed that, thankyou :)

Thank you.

Thank you for the upload. -- 'How Steve met Frank Sinatra' @1:53 - lol - 'Steve Vais niece' @29:30 - lololol - Frank would have loved it.

Nice socks! Looking at pics. of my first FZ show Dec. 10 1981 Berkley, Ca. w/SV RIP Frank Zappa.

There was a time when I was young. I really liked Zappa. I was not sure why exactly, but the words and the weirdness made sense to me, even though I just understood fractions of it. I got older, I heard music that on some levels was "better" than Frank's and for a long time he was... like an old friend that I did not really visit often. There was so much new stuff, the grunge, the Van Halen's, the Steve Vai's, the trip hop, the Eminem's... I was busy, I thought I had moved on. Then it all started to circle back. Most music started to feel boring, predictable and more often than not, i typed 'Zappa' on Spotify or RU-vid. There was something in the words and the weirdness that made sense to me. There _is_ something. If all other music would disappear, except Frank's, I'd be okay.

That's really great, cool.

I will tell you how big a fan I have been of Frank....My friend, Ed, would often ask, "What is a Florentine Pogen, anyway?" This was back before computers were good at letting one jump down a very deep rabbit hole but I finally found out it was a cookie and I found a photo of Frank and a pack of these cookies...Its not a big thing but I thought it was pretty cool to find it. I tried to explain to my friends that Frank really didn't care about the lyrics of a song; for him it was all about the music and I love that...

Aaah 1977. Brings back good memories. Co and Menno playing at Het Nieuwe Lyceum. I even played with Co but he thought I was shite hahaha. Cocky little git ;) Hope you're all well. Steve, say hello to Pieter-Jan and Carolien at your hotel.