The Drummers of Frank Zappa 

Ruth Underwood... what a gracious, elegant, humble, generous and articulate being she is. Amazing.

Ruths existence is comforting

Ruth should write a book! Her memory is awesome! What a great interview!!

R.I.P., Ralph. An underrated and underappreciated Zappa drummer.

David Abbruzzese here. These musicians are the changers of the game for me. Chester makes it all look so easy. Chad has a skill dynamic like no other. Ralph showed me how to play to what i heard with feeling. Terry's melodic support yet rocked and rolled beyond. Ruth exemplifies grace under pressure and a class of skills that was unknown to me prior to discovering her playing. Zappa gifted us all with his incredible music and more than that, his incredibly talented rhythm sections. Thank you for this interview.

Man it's real dangerous trying to store this much drumming power in one room...

More Ruth please. Anything else would be just Ruthless.

That moment where they all start "singing" the drum fill from "More Trouble Every Day" is PRICELESS.

Zappa and Colaiuta. Golden years.

I was at the show Ruth Underwood references at 51:00. It was on Nov. 9, 1974, at the Orpheum Theater in Boston. Right in the middle of the show, several huge rafters from the ceiling just unraveled and crashed hard and clumsily down on the band. And the band kept playing with Zappa taking a 10 or 15 minute solo while roadies feverishly ran about the stage fixing the vibes and some of the keyboards. I remember it being an absolutely great solo, too, and thinking what a treat that was, even though the accident could have been a disaster. It sent chills up my spine hearing her recount that story. I thought it would be lost to the ether. I can see it in my mind like it was yesterday. It was the last Zappa show I saw with my favorite lineup that included Ruth and George Duke.

frank had a knack for choosing the greatest musicians. not necessarily the biggest names, but the most capable. and to be capable of playing what frank wrote, up to his standards, meant you were by virtue an instant legend.

I could watch this every single day and never get tired of it.

You can tell that Terry is a genuinely nice guy...great clip!

This may sound funny, especially because I'm not a drummer (I play bass) , but of all the great stuff on You Tube, this is my all-time favorite video. It has everything - amazing drumming; 5 very intelligent, articulate percussionists/drummers - all with a great respect foreach other - and they all tell wonderful stories about being in Zappa's band! Required viewing for anyone who claims to be a Zapppa fan!

One of the best videos on the internet. Nothing against Chad and Terry (who are legendary in their own right) but I would pay lots of money just to hear Ruth and the Ralph/Chester two headed monster tell stories.

As also a massive fan of Hendrix, I was so pleased to hear Ruth describe Frank’s love for Hendrix…..Frank and Jimi would have made some amazing sounds together. This is drum heaven to watch

Wonderful talk. Bozzio said about Wackerman "I love him, we often play together, and he makes me sound good even when i'm make mistakes"! What a great way to be of service to the music.

This gathering of artists is a cultural treasure. Never mind the music, which will be studied for a hundred generations.

I could listen to Ruthie for days about hard experiences with the Zappa

I really love Ruth's story about seeing The Mothers at The Garrick. Ruth and Art Tripp's talent for playing marimba and vibes on Uncle Meat inspired Zappa to use those instruments a lot more. Ruth, Ian Underwood and Art seemed to have fallen from heaven for Zappa. He was so fortunate to have The Mothers in New York in 1967 with their concerts at The Garrick plus meeting Dick Kunc at Apostolic. Uncle Meat was the first Mothers album I heard when I was 15 in 1970 and I still think it's their best album with Zappa's finest writing. It changed my thinking and showed me a new world of music I never knew was possible. Along with Cal's incredible cover art, it was like it was from distant planet in another galaxy. I love a lot of Zappa's later work and the drumming of Ralph, Chester and Terry, but Uncle Meat is just so special.

Attended the Zappa/Mahavishnu show in 73 at the Spectrum in Philly. John opened the show with a Namaste greeting to he crowd. As they played, from my seat I could clearly see Frank and bandmates watching their amazing set from right behind stage right. When Frank and band came out for their set ’backstage too. It was clear how much respect and affection the bands had for each other. Saw many great shows at the Spectrum and this great show is in my all time top 5 !

Chester was almost completely ignored if it wasn’t for Ruth. She was the only one with enough decency to acknowledge he had been almost completely ignored for the beginning of interview 😢. He was humble enough to keep his mouth shut until he was given a chance to speak. Then he told his story. What a great man and drummer!!! And not to mention he is barely acknowledged in the comments below 😕

Fantastic video. I caught up on Frank's music during my college years, around 1992. I started with "The Helsinki Concert" and listened to it an obscene amount of time. Then I bought as many albums from FZ as I could (although money was scarce back then). And everytime I listened to a new album, I was like "What's the secret I'll be afforded today" ? The music, the mood between musicians, were so much more real than the rest of the conventional music that I was addicted to it. I can totally understand that the muscians that had the privilege of playing with FZ had such incredible and vivid stories about that era. Thank you so much for reliving them for us !

My third time listening to this and I just smile ear to ear listening to Chad...I'm the same age as Chad and I was a drummer too and I remember seeing him featured in Modern Drummer and how inspiring it was...At 21 Chad was a BEAST!

This is easily the best thing on RU-vid. If something better comes along, I won’t watch it. And I’m a guitar player. 🎶

This is an absolute must watch for drummers and Zappa fans. The stories are absolutely amazing, and I learned some seriously important lessons from their stories of auditioning with Frank.

My first concert was Mothers/Mahavishnu/Leo Kottke solo acoustic. So great hearing Ruth's stories!

Ruth, what a story teller. Wish I were 1/100th as articulate!

Amid all the RU-vid trash are gems like this. What a stimulating, funny and amazing set of tales.

I'm not a drummer, and I don't know much about Terry, Chester, Ralph, Chad, or Ruth, but I love Zappa. this is a conversation worth listening to.

"McLaughlin...knowing things, no one else could know." Ruth is gorgeous.

I'd love to have heard Aynsley's input. This was fabulous !!

The piccolo drum Story Ruth tells is heartwrenching. Asking Ruth about it is very much about going back to your Roots emotionally on your Path out of life as I Unterstand it.

Someone needs to get in touch with Ruth and get her to record an album of cocktail style Zappa songs.

Ruth brings tears to my eyes with the gracious accolades she showers upon her bandmates!!

Came here for a second and stayed for the whole show. Thoroughly enjoyed this.

Jeezuz, Ruth is one helluva storyteller...

What a well spent 1:46:13. Priceless memories of the one and only FZ.

Great musicians are great, disciplined, humble listeners.

I just to play for Gary Lewis and the Playboys on drums and I remember a gig at Don's music store in Franklin Ohio where we opened for Billy Cobham's band. Billy had a bunch of union dudes from Cinci and let me watch him rehearse the band. Billy doesnt just know the drums but is musically a well rounded musician. The cool thing was that the music store had all Billy's old prototype drumsets in the back room where Billy ran the band through the tunes. I will never forget the drum set Billy used back stage. It was a yellow North drum kit and the stands and rack were made of of steel monkey bar pipe. Very cool. Billy could really lay into the drums. And man you ought to see him on a racquetball court. You do not want to be in front of a ball he hits. Peace-Tim

This is mind-blowing information about a legendary band I'm awestruck

Ruth Underwood please please please write a book.

I love this level of intelligence in musical composition and dexterity. People oversimplify rock music and place it in their own stereotypical box. Who else, other than Frank, could fill a composition with humor and have it also be this incredibly technical.

Wonderful job Terry! You really let everyone have their moment!

The piccolo snare was Frank's rosebud. Great video.

This conversation among Friends, top musicians around the Great Uncle Frank Is pure beauty!

Bozzio is very intelligent. He says that he regrets the fact that he was too young and could not play with the sensibility that he has got nowadays. He is actually very musical now

Chester: "Apostrophe and Overnight Sensation are two of the best-played drum parts i had ever heard in my life"

I could listen to Ruth for days.

I saw one of the concerts with Mahavishnu and Zappa- and Ruth is right, the volume was mind-bogglingly loud and intense!

Very nice listen. Hearing back stories from different time periods was very interesting. Frank was an amazing man, as serious as he was funny. Everybody that played with him was ultra talented and made even better by having known him. Hell, even Im smarter just for having listened to him. His music is not for everyone for the simple reason they dont give it a fair shake......their loss

This is just fantastic. As a drummer myself and a huge fan of what these people have done...this is probably one the most entertaining things I've ever seen on RU-vid.

Ruth is such a delight! Her story of getting in the Zappa Band was so endearing...Plus it's nice to hear people that are actually older than me...:)...I was 7 when she was attending Julliard and Zappa concerts...:)

This is gold!! I can’t give it enough likes.

This is my favorite collection of FZ stalwarts to date. I wish they had thought of these reunions before.

Back watching this after watching the new Zappa doc (which is excellent). Ruth is wonderful.

There is more drumknowledge concentrated here than allowed. Its like a critical mass of drummers. The screen should explode.

Would have loved to see Ruth play in the jamming bits, god knows she would have brought something incredible to it as usual!

great Ruth story: the drumsticks of Chester :)

This is such a great video, I’m bummed Vinny and Ainsley aren’t here too

This is absolutely wonderful. Thank you for posting.

is it me but chad looks too polite and nice to be a drummer, he looks more like a high school english teacher lol

fantastic stories, fantastic people & musicians...

This is so beautiful! There is no greater club than the drummers of Frank Zappa. Amazing.

What a great video. I could listen to 2 more hours of these stories!

I listen to this at least once a year. This is the best thing on youtube. I wish it was about 4 hours longer.

I always wondered what Ruth thought of Steve Reich's percussion writings. Runs concurrent with her Zappa tenure

Ruth's stories are the best, and I love that Diva Zappa was having a birthday party while Chad Wackerman was auditioning 😂

That was phenomenal, it took me way over the 1.46 it should take to watch this as I had to check out some of their references that I had forgotten or had not known, four hours well spent. I was amazed by their knowledge and how they held so much in their heads and also loved the camaraderie and that they clearly admired and probably loved Zappa.

WOW I am so overwhelmed to hear this stories, bringing back lots of memories to concerts which I was allowed to experience and to all the background for Franks . Thank you very much

This is a great video. Thanks for posting.

just fantastic! my five all time favourite percussionists of frank's - in conversation. for me, nothing beats those roxy gigs

thank you guys for your talent and for synchronizing with this great composer who was Frank Zappa

I love the props these excellent musicians give to the Mahavishnu Orchestra, the incredulous look on Ruth Underwood's face when she says Mahavishnu opened for Frank Zappa!? It's true! They were a force of nature, every member just killed it, and the music/compositions/arrangements were on another level entirely.

This is an amazing chat. Many magic morsels. Thanks so much for doing this.

The Fowler brother's dad taught at my college in the early 70's so it was a real treat to see them on campus and then sit behind the sound crew at their gig.

This is truly impressive !

Alive, each word is alive! Thank you for this!!

Chad is a monster actually. And I really like his work with Zappa. Of course Bozzio was the most relevant one. Thinking about City of Tiny Lights played by Bozzio with Belew at vocals 🔝

I had the incredible great luck to see all of these people play with Frank. It’s been a lifelong inspiration to me. I’m a guitar player but nowhere near this level of beauty. I thank you all and your playing still inspires me. Rarely does a week go by in the last 50 years where there is not some Zappa in my ears. So glad that near the end you folks talked about “The Lick” in the 70’s versions of More Trouble Every Day. First time I heard it was live, and just like all of you did ,I immediately started singing it. Still gives me goosebumps! Thank you all for putting so much beauty in my life, I’ll never forget any of you. Also one last thing: Terry could you please get a bigger kit!

Chester,,playing Cheapness Laughing at the lyrics Sez , nobody in the hood sang about hotdogs,,Lmao. This was a Outstanding Vidio Really enjoyed it. Thanks!!

15 mins in and i just realized that cute little drummer terry ted bozzio was here.

This is definitely one of my best late night discoveries. The genuine respect of each other’s different genius, and openness with one another is incredible. No egos or competition. Beautiful and inspiring, really.

Every time I watch this video, I can feel Ruth’s energy flowing

Hey what a great interview from his trusted drummer's and Ruth ,,, thanx !!!

I'm still watching this, aa you should be. These men love Ruth.

Fantastic. Thanks for posting.

Ruth mentions that Frank must have taken notice of the fact that Mahavishnu Orchestra also had an electric violinist. But it certainly was no secret, because Mahavishnu had been together since late 1971, two years before the two groups went on tour together. Cobham, of course, was incredible. But I’ve always thought that Hammer had the biggest brain. I saw those two bands play at the Providence Civic Center in the summer of ‘73. I was already very familiar with both groups. I didn’t enjoy myself all that much because of the brutal acoustics in the damn place. I still remember how odd it was listening to Ian Underwood play a flute solo of all things. Too bad I didn’t have a chance to catch the two bands at some other venue. Ruth has some great memories. I’m 50 minutes in, and she just mentioned Ian Underwood. But she hasn’t alluded to the fact that they eventually became husband and wife, which strikes me as odd.

Even for me as a guitar player, this is my favourite collection of musicians talking about their time with Frank. I watch it regularly and learn something new each time (my memory is getting bad as I get older)

Ruth has the gift of storytelling. It is amazing

what a fantastic video!! thanx!!! a great insight in a world of music we´ll never see again.....sad isn´t it?

I didn’t want that to end...

One of my great regrets is never being able to see Frank and his bands perform live. A friend saw Zappa a few times and he said each time it was like "seeing God". I did see Terry with Missing Persons, and he was incredible, but I always wanted to see him and these others performing under the pressure of Frank's all-seeing eye on them

No doubt a group of best drummers there is, but what surprised is our very talented and powerful and dear co worker Ruth. , very nice to see in this great group of masters , Ruth and I played few gigs together was really fun , with JJ band .must say as a Drummer was so much fun and good rhythm section with you Ruth . More power to you

Thank you Ruth in Detroit at masonic auditorium I went to see zappa i knew about mahvishnew when the concert was about to begin John who was in all white asked for a moment for meditation but this was Detroit and the crowd hollered back f* k that we want to rock&roll the concert was in my top 20 and I've going to concerts since 1968 all around the world

Normal drummers. Don't play the blacknpage . Ralf Terry Chad & cesterv& Ruth have opened my mind in ways I could not comprehend. You changed me forever.thank you .I love & respect and cherish the experience of seeing you aĺ play and getting to talk with you over-the years Godbless.❤

Really enjoyed and appreciated this show...Thx

Thank You, you made Frank Zappa music possible. I love Mrs Underwod.🥰

A house full of masters. I'd be hard pressed to pull off any Zappa medley/ song.

Great stuff. at the 12:25 mark, Ruth asks Chester if he was in the band when Mahavishnu Orchestra opened for Zappa. My first Zappa concert in NYC was that exact line up. It was on Thanksgiving day ( I don't remember the year) and the venue was (I think) Avery Fischer Hall. After that year Frank did his Halloween night gigs in NYC at the Academy of Music on 14th Street and I went to many of those gigs. Ruth was in every iteration of Zappa's band I've seen and she is a monster on tuned percussion. So glad to hear her talk about this.