Talking with Frank Zappa...Some More - With Trooper Charles Ash of the Pennsylvania State Police

Talking with Frank Zappa...Some More
Interview with Trooper Charles Ash of the Pennsylvania State Police
Conducted Live On Stage At The Tower Theater
February 14, 1988
This is the edited, version that was made available to Schools, and Educators, in the Pennsylvania School System.
Professional transfer of the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit Umatic "Corrected" Edited Master.
("Corrected" meaning: The titling and word balloon adding "Talking with Frank Zappa...Some More" were added to this master copy. The other master I possess does not have this added)
Make sure you check out Chuck's 1981 interview with Frank.
• Talking with Frank Zap...
Thank you Chuck. Thank you Frank.

[@2wayplebney]

One of the best Zappa interviews. Frank is relaxed, and Trooper Ash is a knowledgable interviewer.

[@user-pp8fq6mm4f]

Just got into Frank Zappa he's a great artist, and motivational speaker.

[@rollerdragon]

oh, so MANY albums!! just listen to all of the 'you can't do that on stage anymore' series!! just dive on in... then studio tan.. and THEN apostrophe overnight sensation [but that's just a thought.. you have fun, now]

[@deanguando1335]

Officer Ash is a pretty good interviewer.

[@charleswinokoor6023]

I saw Zappa and his band that year at Tower Theater. The state trooper did a fine job as an interviewer. He’s a real “trooper” if you get my drift. I go back a long way when it comes to Frank Zappa and his music. I have loved some of it and nearly detested some of it. I have also agreed and disagreed with his opinions on various topics. But when he talks about the importance of the right to vote in the country, he comes across as one of the most sensible people I’ve ever heard speak.

[@superfuzzymomma]

Proud of Trooper Ash

[@dennishunt1590]

What a tragedy to lose Frank Zappa, his insight into modern society is remarkable, he was such an extemporaneous speaker to boot.

[@stereoreservoir]

this is great! this is the most relaxed/ comfortable i feel ive seen frank in an "interview". thanks for the upload man

[@johnhumphries505]

I've watched the full interview before. This man asks relevant questions

[@jamesconraadtucker]

Frank as wise as he was kind. TY for all the incredible hard work, and good music, Sir. Good interview, too!

[@rolandosarabia810]

I saw Zappa's concert in 1980s Philly. Never saw this interview but truly appreciate it. Someone previously commented on how relaxed Frank is during the interview, I believe that's due to the trooper's approach

[@motherbrain86]

did not know there was another one with ash interviewing him, super awesome

[@AndyGrazianoNYC]

amazing. lots of conceptual continuity clues in here!

[@thecool9]

Thank you

[@williameckert1623]

It's me very well be the best interview I've ever seen with Zappa. Also I think I know that trooper.

[@cosmicb699]

Never watched this interview. Thanks. Miss Frank

[@Lagzatzappateers]

You're welcome. An interview not to be missed!

[@Tomanot9Juanma]

This is the stuff good interviews are made of. Kudos.

[@noelhutz]

Thanks for uploading, haven't seen this one.

[@Lagzatzappateers]

You're welcome.

[@user-lh3si8sl8o]

The Tesla of modern Music. Pure genius.

[@AwesomeBeatles]

Frank was different , but his heart was in the right place.

[@wojtekkowal1576]

Imagine Frank Zappa Podcast xd

[@rz2990]

In frank I trust

[@user-jt5ot4hy9q]

"Some thing called a bong"--and Academy Award goes to....

[@randyhiiip]

Bongs been around since the 1800s, this duuuude said "something called a bong"

[@marcrichey1222]

818-PUMPKIN!!!

[@paulcooper5748]

Barking pumkin.

[@Ninjametal]

Love this, but it needs it's volume boosted

[@MrRemcoLamberts]

Wow, I saw a lot of Zappa footage/interviews, this one's new to me! Amazing, not completely sure where this is coming from, I guess they made interview and video's for educational purposes? Great job Charles!

[@Lagzatzappateers]

Glad you enjoyed it. It was available to educators in the Pennsylvania School System. Check out Chuck's 1981 interview with Frank if you haven't already. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nqTHnXqJlJ2Dd6c

[@Rippedflesh69]

I love the Tipper Gore jibe.

[@dennishunt1590]

I'm from Australia, I don't know what Frank Zappa was having a jibe at Tipper Gore about. Could you please fill me in?

[@marcocardia3960]

@@dennishunt1590 Tipper Gore was part of the PMRC censorship of rock n roll lyrics They wanted to put labels on the albums

[@MixMastaCopyCat]

@@dennishunt1590 I'm 6 months late, but in case you didn't already find out on your own, Tipper Gore was involved in the Parents Music Resource Center, which pushed to have labels put on music deemed inappropriate for young people. Frank fought this, as he argued that this would have a dramatic effect on the sales of albums labeled in this way, amounting to economic censorship.

[@MixMastaCopyCat]

@@dennishunt1590 Think pearl clutching.

[@dennishunt1590]

@@MixMastaCopyCat Thanks mate.

[@raymondg8672]

There is a market for plan conversation. Look at Frank being 40 years ahead of time (he is talking about podcasts)

[@MrMusicbyMartin]

Frank never fails to make me laugh in interviews, shame his idea to become a chat show host on Fox never became reality!

[@javajoelradio]

My only problem with this interview is that Frank is so down on the Beasties. I think, had he spent more (any?) time with "Paul's Boutique" (and, to a less degree, "Check Your Head" - the final album before Frank's death), perhaps he may have had a different take. Either way, what a guy. Absolute genius.

[@randyhiiip]

Intro sounds like "that's just the way it is"

[@lm6817]

It came out the same year too

[@chazblitz]

Hes right about nobody knowing about mummers outside of Philly.

[@peachmelba1000]

Mummers? Like in Newfoundland?

[@sherlshirley5713]

Saw Z he was ok

[@JonStewart-w2v]

Anyone know where to find some of that Honker Home Video stuff?

[@Dug6666666]

I like his stance, but the message that they are hurting themselves, gets a bit lost in the example he sets for cigarettes. An addictive substance heavily advertised at the time by companies out to get you hooked on their product.

[@Lagzatzappateers]

Nice point. As a reformed smoker, I never understood Frank's refusal to accept that fact that cigarettes were detrimental to one's health.

[@MixMastaCopyCat]

@@Lagzatzappateers Agreed. I guess at the end of the day, humans have their inconsistencies and their hypocrisies, and even someone as ideologically consistent as frank was no exception

[@Gravyballs2011]

He was completely addicted to smoking. Let's call it what it is. It's one of the toughest addictions to break, especially if someone has no desire to quit. He had to know that a cigarette contains more than just tobacco and that there are over a thousand harmful chemicals that go into their production. He brought up the alcohol lobby but was ok with big tobacco lobby. On this topic, he was talking out of both sides of his mouth. An addict in denial about his addiction. He downplayed it because he felt it didn't alter his thinking. Sure would've enjoyed more years of FZ making music. The same is true of Eddie Van Halen who was addicted to smoking and drinking and got cancer of the tongue (later throat and lung cancer) which he blamed on a guitar pick that he held in his mouth. Say what?!

[@opaljk4835]

His message was about personal responsibility more so than anything else

[@dunebillyofswanbeach4294]

@@Gravyballs2011FZ’s dependence on nicotine and coffee was probably a contributing factor to the prostate illness which took him out way too early.

[@angrycat3525]

Frank is mistaken about 18 year-olds not voting, despite now having the right to do so. I registered upon turning 18 in 1971, and the following Spring I voted in my first local election. The polling place happened to be the elementary school I attended in the early '60s, and I still got a shocked look from teachers still at that school when they saw me waiting my turn in the booth. I told one of them, "Ain't it a bit scary to see ME voting?"

[@jimmorrison9287]

You're just one person tho. He didn't literally say no 18 year Olds vote he said very few. It's true, if you look at turnout among voters under 30 it's very low compared to other age brackets and it's always been that way. Under 25 is even lower. The majority of people under 25 don't vote. It was improved a little recently . It was even worse back when this interview was done with around a 40% turnout and those numbers are even worse in midterm elections. I'm sure if they was a statistic on just 18 and 19 year olds the numbers would be even lower than that.

[@opaljk4835]

@@jimmorrison9287I think that was what the whole rock the vote thing was about, right? I remember those commercials very well and at the time it seemed like it started to turn the tide in getting people to think about politics more beyond the punks scene

[@texasd1385]

Statistically as a group 18 year olds vote at much lower rates than older voters.

[@brianjacob8728]

pot is actually medicinal.

[@stexoneoneone5386]

Are mummers like Morris Dancers

[@smorrow]

"The government and schools are disintegrating" I wish

[@user-kl4bh4lq6r]

He's Was Right About Drugs

[@geekay1349]

'...hopelessness...' his comments on the subject are poignant

[@TarantuLandoCalcuLingus]

The puddle of piddle which used to be little Is rising around you!

[@jeffryphillipsburns]

What does Zappa mean by “stunt guitar”?

[@fmellish71]

Playing the stuff that Frank can't play

[@opaljk4835]

It’s kind of just a silly way of describing (at the time) the modern style of guitar showiness

[@monoped8437]

the stunt guitarist adds little noises/accents etc. adrian belew was said to be able to make rhino noises.....

[@opaljk4835]

@@monoped8437 you can just hear him actually do that on King Crimson and solo records fairly Frequently

[@monoped8437]

@@opaljk4835, i know

[@CrestaDMente]

What the fuck are mammars?

[@DrMackSplackem]

Mummers are street theater improv performers.

[@CrestaDMente]

@@DrMackSplackem thank you for that!

[@JJ-ne6wd]

Surprised Frank doesn't know the harmful effects of cigarette smoking. Such a hypocrite.

[@texasd1385]

What harmful effects? He clearly states that everyone should be free to put whatever they want into their own body.

[@JJ-ne6wd]

@@texasd1385 Free to put whatever in your body doesn't mean you know what's right for the body. What does your comment even mean? This guy was anti-drug yet used one of the most potent drugs of all time: nicotine/tobacco. Guy was a total hypocrite.