Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention - Live at Whisky a Go Go 1968 (Vault Footage)

[@anthonycassillo5142]

Also nice to see some actual video footage of Ray Collins

[@spikeybaby1735]

Thanks I couldn't remember his name 😎

[@SpaceCattttt]

Yeah. He looked miserable, though.

[@nickgodalin6487]

​@@SpaceCattttt He quit the Mothers (again) right after this actually

[@SpaceCattttt]

@@nickgodalin6487 Shame. He had such a smooth voice.

[@Baribrotzer]

@@nickgodalin6487 I gather that he didn't get along all that well with Frank, and had real trouble making sense out of his music.

[@jiggersotoole7823]

As 14 year olds back in 71, we would sit in the local park in East Belfast and sing The Mothers live at Filmore album in it's entirety. To see this now is just beyond words!

[@Nano0k]

The album that made me a fan! In 1988... :(

[@Nano0k]

Was so excited, I forgot to say sláinte from L.A.!

[@jiggersotoole7823]

@@Nano0k top of the morning!

[@Nano0k]

@@jiggersotoole7823 And the rest of the day to yourself! Time differences notwithstanding. Is that still proper, or old-fashioned today? (Like me.)

[@jefferyroy2566]

As a 19-year-old in '71, I tried bedding a fulsome lass to the dulcet tones on Weasels Ripped My Flesh. Obviously, my understanding of women was still lacking at that point. I saw Zappa as proof of my avant-garde tastes. Now, Jaqui was more of a Laura Nyro/James Taylor listener, but fortunately the attraction was as well-built as she. That year would also be my first exposure to Irish music in the form of Taste, the blessed vehicle which brought Rory Gallagher to my attention. Just seeing his name in print means a listening of the live version of Laundromat is in order. Glad to see The Troubles left you time to indulge in the finer things, among which Zappa will belong for quite some time to come.

[@yonikeshet7629]

Pure gold!!! Great performer and one of the best composers ever

[@bokononx4606]

and one of the most original guitarists ever

[@natasha2120]

I am so delighted to finally see footage of Miss Christine, Miss Mercy, Miss Pamela, and all the girls! I've been searching for a mere shred of footage of them on stage for AGES! This really lit up my heart ❤️ Thank you so much!

[@seabertotter4325]

Mosh pit?

[@onazram1]

@@seabertotter4325 A bunch of groupies that dressed and acted outrageously, Frank named them the GTO's and made an album of them singing, but in reality they had no talent at all.. Well, except maybe for B.J's.

[@seabertotter4325]

@@onazram1 Thanks but I knew all of that.

[@markmcclellan8421]

Miss Mercy too!

[@janemillerick9614]

I think all the groupies (mostly) were after 1968; these are probably precursors..

[@DavidSush1]

So so so so so cool that this historical hodgepodge of beautiful freaky weirdness was compiled for us remaining Zappa Heads to enjoy and smile in 2024. Thank you to whoever is responsible.

[@paulinebutcherbird]

I was there. In my diary I wrote: 'Pam (Zarubica), Gail and I went to the Whisky. Fantastic five-hour session. GTOs sang. Wild Man Fisher sang. Joseph Peresonti - Elvis Presley imitator - sang and brought the house down. Complete spectacle. Mothers played well, place was packed, really fantastic evening.' Frank's daily life is described in my memoir, not found in other books, from getting up to going to bed, composing and rehearsing with the Mothers, visiting rock stars, freaks, family squabbles, and more. 'Freak Out! My Life with Frank Zappa Laurel Canyon 1968-1971'

[@DavidSush1]

@@paulinebutcherbird I bought your book couple years ago here at a Cleveland book store. Very cool and interesting read. Lots of stuff in your book I never heard about before. I just love Frank's music and his uniqueness and his impact. Absolute one-of-a-kind genius he was.

[@paulinebutcherbird]

@@DavidSush1 Thank you, David, for reading my book. Glad you found new stuff about Frank.

[@user-bk7pg1ny5l]

@@paulinebutcherbird Thanks for putting us there ... b ack in time.

[@Crystaldish60]

Amazing, I never thought I would live to see this. Thanks for posting.

[@googlyschmoogly7830]

How about a full length DVD vid of unseen Mothers footage? Actually, I'll take what I can get !

[@origami26]

DVD? This isn't 2004, a bluray would be more fitting to that restored footage.

[@googlyschmoogly7830]

@@origami26 Thanks for reminding of the year. I still watch the hundreds of rare DVDs and or Blu rays I have that are obscure and were never for sale. None of that content is, was or never will be streamed either.

[@jeremeydonovan8286]

Fascinating

[@benpluta6187]

Ok hot shot id rather have vhs or beta😂 ​@origami26

[@nickgodalin6487]

​@@benpluta6187 Let's have it for Super 8mm film & a clunker projector. Beats all of 'em hands down!

[@Literature_for_Aliens]

Event of the Year 👏We can't get enough of ol' Mothers!

[@LStuart762]

MOTHERS , I think , not Mothers ?

[@fzmisty7579]

A grandiose historical event, a great pleasure to see and hear the Great Mothers and Courtiers! Thanks Zappa, thanks Moms, thanks Joe and everyone who participated!)

[@garytitone853]

The event, existing film, production elements are all something to be grateful of. The world we live in today is quite different , formats of today push the feasibility element of pro shot film into a different feasibility domain. Mass quality of sources available today can make it present video with audio is a norm. As the vault contains a wide variety of formats I celebrate that in the first part that the events took place , secondly that the film and audio recordings were each captured and preserved, thirdly that UMe and the Zappa team have spent a significant amount of time and money to give us a look into a unique event. The first and foremost of what comes to mind is gratitude. Nothing less than a team or archeologist that go through a long process of finding a site of never before seen period perfect lost remains for society to be amazed with.

[@gilwood7530]

THANK YOU

[@_Fake_Rolex]

The 19 year old folks in there are 75 now. I hope some of them are looking at this today and still diggin' Zappa.

[@leonardlos3209]

We are.

[@joevecchio4687]

I’m 70

[@rainerwaansinn]

I do, I do, I do, I do ... 74 🙂

[@ulfingvar1]

No one who have once loved Zappa, is likely to stop loving him.

[@Royale_with_Cheeze]

​@@ulfingvar1 Gail said there's no such thing as an ex-Zappa fan.

[@weeooh1]

Pure gold! As a longtime Zappa fan didnt think clear footage from the Whiskey in 1968 existed.

[@oscarcosulich]

Zappa: the best president the States never had

[@user-Borgus]

Amen! 'Specially nothing the way things are now. I've often wondered what he'd say about T.Rump and the Magats.

[@jessenowells2920]

No. Zappa the best serious composer disguised as a guitar noodler prankster. OTOH, his oscillating left/right libertarianism leaves me cold.

[@stubbyhobbs]

Make America Zappa again - MAZA

[@oscarcosulich]

@@stubbyhobbs Amazing MAZA!

[@thelevelbeyondhuman]

Yaaay I can’t believe it’s really happening!! More unseen mothers vault footage!!

[@paulm7243]

Zappa for life.

[@supergwizzo]

Great Googily Moogily 😊

[@grahamcarver4527]

I love how it says Translate to English,Frank would smile 😊

[@korbenbutterworth3479]

Ain’t this boogie a mess!

[@ronhacker3806]

Good one.. lol

[@nickgodalin6487]

That would be a Boogie in G....

[@axelazaryan]

Hungry freaks daddyyyyy!!!!! THIS IS A TREASURE ❤❤

[@VirginiaWolf88]

Totally!!!

[@DoctorInsomnia-qw7us]

The way I see it FZ, this should be a very dynamite 🧨🧨🧨 show 🎸🎸 🎷 🎺 🎹 🥁 🎵🎶 🎵🎶 🎶

[@andrewwilson888]

🏆

[@anthonycassillo5142]

Favorite psychedelic tripping lp Lumpy Gravy followed by We're only in it for the money

[@gilwood7530]

@@anthonycassillo5142 That was one of my first albums as a kid...I was 7 or 8 in '72 and it was a hand me down( With SAFE AS MILK and a few other killers) ...still one of my favorite albums

[@rsmko]

@@anthonycassillo5142 #METOO

[@nathandodge665]

Groovy

[@ferrark1]

Seen Zappa back in 72 73 at the Commack Arena awesome thanks for the video great

[@crispyrobot77]

One of planet Earth's most amazing Teenage Rockin' Combos. Excellent "staff".

[@thepoodlebites3117]

Great work & huge thanks to "Vaultmeister" Joe Travers and everyone involved in making this phenomenal historical footage available, and for also syncing it with the original audio from the master tapes, which have been so well-mixed into stereo for a modern audience. Just finding all the correct audio moments from the tape reels must have been an enormously challenging task. Us fans really appreciate every moment of vintage material, especially from the late-1960s when Frank was arguably at his creative peak. I've been craving Whisky footage ever since the documentary from a few years ago showed some tantalizing ne'er-before-seen psychedelic moments. This truly itches that spot. Thank you!

[@BreezyandtheBlazers-vd3xw]

Wish I could have experienced the 60s and 70s music scene. Thank God Frank recorded everything

[@paulinebutcherbird]

Why not read about it and in particular Frank's home life not shown in other books, from getting up to going to bed, composing and rehearsing with the Mothers, visiting rock stars, freaks, family squabbles, and more. 'Freak Out! My Life with Frank Zappa, Laurel Canyon, 1968-1971,' On Audible, too.

[@fuccasound3897]

Now that's what i call ENTERTAINMENT.

[@jejzap1334]

Thank you ! Real Zappa fans like me help to save the vault a few years ago to be able to see unseen footages and historical moments like this one, I hope we will see others live performances of the best guitar player ever !

[@PsychRad]

When I was a toddler my two favorite celebrities were Frank Zappa and Richard Nixon. When I told this to one of my psychology professors she said "well, that explains a lot".

[@colinwilliams553]

Kudos to whoever put this together and upload it for youtube.to see rare footage of the original MOTHERS of INVENTION onstage is AWESOME I could only imagine what would have been like to be in the audience or onstage it would have been out of sight,long live ZAPPA ❤❤!!!

[@paulinebutcherbird]

I was in the audience. In fact, I worked for Frank and write about his home life, not shown in the other books, from getting up to going to bed, composing and rehearsing with the Mothers, visiting rock stars, freaks, family squabbles, and more. It's my story but reveals all this in 'Freak Out! My Life with Frank Zappa Laurel Canyon 1968-1971'.

[@rodrigoarriagada6282]

Pure gold. A fantastic footage. Zappa for ever

[@kowalski3769]

Very awesome and most generous of you to share it with us for free!!!! Thank You x1000!!!

[@jacocharzukanamericanautho2422]

Frank Zappa was a freak of nature. Him and Jaco Pastorius really are two of my favorite musicians. His genius and creativity is truly unparalleled. There are few if any that could rival him.

[@georgefree8727]

While I didn't see Frank Zappa and the Mother of Invention at the Whiskey a Go Go in 1968, I did see the at the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago that same year.

[@richardfowler5163]

I'd like a time machine please. Amazing footage.

[@BuffaloBeatle]

So happy we get the footage to go along with this great collection. I was drooling after seeing it in the documentary

[@richardfaucheraux4873]

Le plus beau des cadeaux pour la fête de la Musique 2024 ! Merci mille fois !!!

[@wostra]

I have been waiting for this. Thank you.

[@hollygolightly7475]

Was waiting for this! The GTO’S dancing there little velvet threads off❤

[@murkredi]

Hard to believe that Frank was soloing like that in 1968. SO far ahead.

[@iamdamosuzuki_]

Even crazier he was soloing like that in 1966 too

[@spiritof6663]

@@iamdamosuzuki_ Now if they could only find footage of Mothers shows from '66. There's some silent B&W and color footage of a couple of '66 shows the Kino library unearthed here on KZbin but it's so much better with audio! There really needs to be a dedicated search in the Zappa vaults for all this stuff--if this Whiskey '68 footage was lying around for nearly 6 decades before being found, I'll bet there's a lot more.

[@matthewwalden656]

I loved hearing those rhythm chops in Hungry Freaks played live!

[@nathandodge665]

Not really

[@LMSlondon]

I’ve waited all my life to see this footage. Absolutely incredible- and thanks to KZbin and the good people who assembled and mixed the footage especially Joe Travers - absolutely free! This is 100% transporting. Now if only we could see a Garrick Theater show restored.

[@DIEmicrosoft]

I want to see the footage from 'Ahead of their Time'!!! I know it exists.

[@LMSlondon]

@@DIEmicrosoft Do you ''KNOW'' know....or do you ''assume'' know? Royal Festival Hall had some pretty strict rules and steep location fees so filming would be costly. But Pink Floyd and Elton John did it.

[@DIEmicrosoft]

@@LMSlondon I've seen prob 8 minutes worth, so I assume the rest is around in the vault somewhere

[@shootfirst2097]

Oh, MY GOD... what are we MISSING if this is just being RELEASEED NOW?!!

[@StereoAnthony]

Wow, this footage is pure gold! Not only for seeing the Whiskey inside and out in 1968, but Franks setup, music, The GTOs and who looks like Rolling Stone journalist Ben Fong! Sound quality of the recording is really great too, considering 1968. Not sure how they managed that with the tech available at the time. Pretty wild

[@Karl0wens]

Love the footage outside the Whisky

[@ChromeDestiny]

This is one of my Zappa grails, thanks for putting it out finally. The one other thing I'd really like to see is more from the killer 1982 tour.

[@MakeWeirdMusic]

This is incredible. Great job FZ team!

[@LANDSEAAIRCANADA]

As Only The Mothers can do ! Wonder of Wonders !👍👍👍👍

[@MortenEng]

Woooooooooooooooooooow! Very interesting and fascinating footage. TOTALLY ZAPPA-TASTIC! Way to go, Frank Zappa!

[@leechild4655]

12:48 Ian killin` it on the sax solo. Note sequences a guitarist wants to learn.

[@paulc5358]

OMG!!!! I love this thanks for posting

[@johnwow4u]

I just found this channel. Too cool. Thanks!

[@christianheidenreich]

These tunes are full of rebellic energy and the music is ahead of it's time.

[@peipy44]

I'd been wishing to watch original MOI footage like this for decades, thanks.

[@samji_art]

Excellent, there's so precious little footage of this lineup

[@iamdamosuzuki_]

There’s not much audio of this lineup live either so it’s wonderful to have nearly three hours of it now

[@Talldude88]

Very Eclectic. Zappa was way ahead of his time.

[@karaamundson3964]

Hats off!

[@fastcakes]

Great stuff, and kudos to the estate for heeding my plea to stop with the novelty masks etc and just give us the music, it helps the planet's resources and also brings the cost down, keep it up!

[@franckyspruytte]

Just great !

[@curiousnomad]

Sooo far ahead of its time. It’s great to see people open to such incredible, unique, and creative music- there was so much creativity in the air then. This is performance art.

[@user-bk7pg1ny5l]

Seen the Doors in '91 and the only thing I remembered was Jim in the bath tub. I watched it last night and it was awesome and the Wiskey a Go Go was the place they got their big break ..... I'll watch it again. I think they came out the right time with the hippy movement and the psychedelics happenings at the same time .... Love it.

[@paulinebutcherbird]

In my book, I describe Pamela Zarubica (Suzy Creamcheese) holding up a very drunk Jim Morrison and guiding him between the tables at the Whisky A Go Go and out the door. I don't think he was there on the night of this event. 'Freak Out! My Life with Frank Zappa, Laurel Canyon 1968-1971'.

[@jdrumguy7392]

This is awesome!!! Thanks, FRANK!!! and too but also...Thanks, Joe!

[@carlamurray9150]

Thankyou for the Zappa treat

[@BrothaVoodoo]

This is great! This is my favorite era of Zappa. I love the Mothers of Invention. I hope there is more footage from this era that will be released soon.

[@paulinebutcherbird]

While you wait for more footage, you can read about Frank's daily home life, not shown in the other books, from getting up to going to bed, composing and rehearsing with the Mothers, visiting rock stars, freaks, family squabbles, and more. It's my story but reveals all this in 'Freak Out! My Life with Frank Zappa Laurel Canyon 1968-1971'. Reply

[@nicw5574]

I hope this stays on here after the premiere. I can't watch it when it premieres

[@chicojcf]

Quite a Bass guitar!

[@wildmanfisher]

Yeah. Shame about the guy playing it. Great musician, garbage human

[@mitchellbriscoe4328]

I’d love to see the whole show some day

[@bigblue7643]

FOOKIN SHEER AWESOMENESS! LONG LIVE ZAPPA AND THE MOTHERS!

[@MikeGervasi]

It's a trip to see The GTOs doing part of their thing.

[@keithcarpenter5254]

Top job, mr. Travers, sir! Many thanks for your continued diving efforts. 😊

[@jeff8ball]

Wowie Zowie! Love seeing the early stuff.

[@MrFroglips69]

Groovy video. Brings back some cool memories. Funny seeing the Mothers early fans as the Whisky. Most of them look like clean cut college or high school students. Things would get wilder later on with Zappa solo.

[@paulinebutcherbird]

This was reflected in life in Laurel Canyon where many of the rock stars lived including Frank Zappa. Drugs were still very low key, people left doors unlocked and people could wander in, a bit like a fairyland! Of course, all that changed by August 1969 when Charles Manson's gang began their murder spree.

[@muffinman4353]

Long live the music of Frank Zappa....

[@parrisfranklin9401]

So good I’ve heard about this Is about time Nothing like this the. Music omg a head of its time funky rock frank was killing it

[@dave11061]

Half of what's great about this footage is seeing a young Miss Pamela and the GTOs along with Vito's Freaks and Carl "Captain F**ck" Franzoni free-form dancing in front of the stage. What a crazy time that was!

[@paulinebutcherbird]

Actually, they weren't the GTOs at this point. Frank signed them as a group seven days later.

[@grahamcarver4527]

Thank You Frank 🙌

[@BOUZOUKI_PETE]

thanks for uploading this and taking us there! ❤

[@richarddannelley8400]

Gawd ! How did people manage to enjoy themselves without having cell-phones?

[@FoFrx]

this is a huge gift thank you. amazing audio and synch . is there more more more?!? my imaginary guitar solo now has video!!!!!

[@patpagano]

Priceless

[@user-kc1sj2bd8d]

this is great I remember those days lol omg this is wild I can't get to sleep so I turn to Franks music to either put me to sleep or Not lol and yes I am stoned. I got to see him over 15 times. I had two friends and for 8 yrs when Frank came to the area they got me tickets for my birthday present .

[@winesnout]

Thanks for this! Frank was sooo many years ahead of everybody else. Can anybody remember another band as wild, crazy, innovative and fun to watch as the Mothers in 1968?

[@rockettebob]

i was 13 at this time. i saw mosh pits turn into some thing ugly.. this is great. THANK YOU!!!... i miss my mothers....rockettebob in reno

[@AroCaceresdrums]

0:19 Frank playing the intro of Petrushka

[@jeffreyyoung8727]

Ooh boy this gonna be great!

[@chrisdher65]

At last! Moving pictures of the first mosh pit!!!!

[@Bassverous]

Man this show looks wild amazing footage wish we had full versions of songs still cool to see

[@paulinebutcherbird]

And to think I was there, one of the few still alive!

[@nicw5574]

This is amazing! I've wanted to see footage of the GTO's for so long. Thank you for sharing 😀

[@gregdahlen4375]

i like their headgear

[@HakanTunaMuzik]

Just incredible, thank you for making this possible, hope to see al the video in the vault over time.

[@leestacy9772]

Been waiting for this since 2007 when they teased footage of the tapes on the shelf in the */overnite documentary DVD.

[@Wanderlustus]

Thanks, man. footage I've never seen before.

[@leddygee1896]

Now that's what I'd call Dinner and a Show!😁

[@Circuit7Active]

Saw Frank 5 times between 1972 and 1980...best concert memories, ever.

[@noname1st139]

Mother Mary and Joseph, this is epic footage

[@haydenwalton2766]

those girls are being outrageous together !!

[@paulinebutcherbird]

I wrote in my diary at the GTOs rehearsals: My ears are never the best, but their singing is an aberration, out of tune, screechy, rarely hitting the notes in unison.'

[@haydenwalton2766]

@@paulinebutcherbird thanks for all the little anecdotes pauline. we all enjoy hearing them. you were very lucky to live those times - must have been amazing

[@paulinebutcherbird]

@@haydenwalton2766 Have you read my book which is filled with anecdotes? It's difficult for me to keep track of who's read it and who hasn't so forgive me if you have. Anyway, suffice to say it's the only one that gives Frank's daily home life, not shown in other books. 'Freak Out! My Life with Frank Zappa Laurel Canyon 1968-1971'.

[@kevingiblin4122]

Thanks 👍 for the ❤😮😅😊

[@W5AWG]

Oh Shit! I was There when this was at Whisky A Go Go LOL I was 16 Years Old and got CARDED so I had to leave. I lived at Crash Pads near by and Leary came handing out Acid, OBG I was High for Days, Timothey Leary Gave me Acid.

[@W5AWG]

O My God I was High for Days, Timothy Leary Gave me Acid. after this set. 74 Years Old in San Francisco ORIGONALLY from Benton Arkansas. Owned a 1947 Indian Motorcycle age 16 Years, I LOVE MY CRAZY LIFE

[@bulkvanderhuge9006]

WOw! What a treasure!!!

[@donaldpruitt6787]

Was lucky to see him in concert in Dallas in the early 70s with Napole on Murphy Brock on sax and vocals great live show... big fan

[@deanehardwick9836]

37 hours? I want it now!!

[@verwurster6022]

Please more from this. 1966-1969 was the best Zappa for me, very love from germany

[@renegade.records]

STOKED!!! 👊🔥🤘

[@BuffaloBeatle]

Pretty crazy how only two years prior in LA there was a furor over The Beatles and baby dolls

[@handmadehearts]

I am very grateful for this clip. WOWEE ZOWEE!