FZ chronology

1973

February 23-March 12, 1973
US East Coast

  The Mothers Of Invention:
FZ—guitar, vocals
Jean-Luc Ponty—violin
George Duke—keyboards, vocals
Ian Underwood—alto sax
Bruce Fowler—trombone
Ruth Underwood—percussion
Tom Fowler—bass
Ralph Humphrey—drums
The Mothers Of Invention '73
March 12, 1973 Ruben And The Jets For Real (LP, Mercury SRM-1-659) Produced by FZ
March 19, 1973 Bolic Sound, Inglewood, CA
Engineer: Barry Keene

FZ—guitar
George Duke—keyboards
Tom Fowler—bass
Ralph Humphrey—drums
March 20, 1973 Bolic Sound, Inglewood, CA
Engineer: Barry Keene

FZ—guitar
George Duke—keyboards
Tom Fowler—bass
Ralph Humphrey—drums

March 23-April 8, 1973
US West Coast

  Sal Marquez (trumpet, vocals) joins the group  
March 23, 1973 Hollywood Palladium, Los Angeles, CA
Engineer: Barry Keene
March 24, 1973 San Diego, CA
April 3, 1973 Whitney Studios, Glendale
Engineer: Kerry McNabb

FZ—guitar, vocals
Jean-Luc Ponty—violin
George Duke—keyboards
Sal Marquez—trumpet
Ian Underwood—alto sax
Bruce Fowler—trombone
Ruth Underwood—percussion
Tom Fowler—bass
Ralph Humphrey—drums
April 4, 1973 Whitney Studios, Glendale
Engineer: Kerry McNabb

FZ—guitar, vocals
Jean-Luc Ponty—violin?
George Duke—keyboards
Ian Underwood—alto sax
Bruce Fowler—trombone
Ruth Underwood—percussion
Tom Fowler—bass
Ralph Humphrey—drums

April 27-May 20, 1973
US East Coast

  Live engineer: Steve Desper  
May 12, 1973 Cobo Hall, Detroit, MI
Engineer: Steve Desper
May 19, 1973 Great McGonigle's Seaside Park, Annapolis, MD
Engineer: Steve Desper
May 26, 1973 Bolic Sound, Inglewood, CA
Engineer: Barry Keene

FZ—guitar
Ian Underwood—woodwinds, keyboards
May 28, 1973 Bolic Sound, Inglewood, CA
Engineer: Barry Keene
May 29, 1973 Bolic Sound, Inglewood, CA
Engineer: Barry Keene

FZ—guitar
George Duke—keyboards
Ruth Underwood—percussion
Tom Fowler—bass
Ralph Humphrey—drums
May 30, 1973 Bolic Sound, Inglewood, CA
Engineer: Barry Keene

FZ—guitar
George Duke—keyboards
Sal Marquez—trumpet
Bruce Fowler—trombone
Ruth Underwood—percussion
Tom Fowler—bass
Ralph Humphrey—drums
May 31, 1973 Bolic Sound, Inglewood, CA
Engineer: Barry Keene

Tina Turner—background vocals
Linda Sims—background vocals
Debbie Wilson—background vocals
Ricky Lancelotti—vocals (probably)
June 1, 1973 Bolic Sound, Inglewood, CA
Engineer: Barry Keene

FZ—guitar
Sal Marquez—trumpet
Bruce Fowler—trombone
Ian Underwood—woodwinds
May-June 1973 Bolic Sound, Inglewood, CA
Engineer: Barry Keene
June 1973 Paramount Studios, Los Angeles, CA
Engineers: FZ & Kerry McNabb
Over-Nite Sensation (1973)
Mixing & editing

June 15-July 8, 1973
Pacific Tour

  Live engineer: Steve Desper  
June 24, 1973 Hordern Pavilion, Sydney, Australia
4-track
June 25, 1973 Hordern Pavilion, Sydney, Australia
4-track
June 1973 GTK, Australia
  • The Story Of "Don't Eat The Yellow Snow/St. Alphonzo's Pancake Breakfast" [#104]

August 18-September 14, 1973
European Tour

  The Mothers Of Invention:
FZ—guitar, vocals
Jean-Luc Ponty—violin
George Duke—keyboards, vocals
Ian Underwood—alto sax
Bruce Fowler—trombone
Ruth Underwood—percussion
Tom Fowler—bass
Ralph Humphrey—drums
Live & recording engineer: Kerry McNabb
 
August 21, 1973 Solliden, Skansen, Stockholm, Sweden
August 23, 1973 Finlandia-talo, Helsinki, Finland (early show)
Engineer: Kerry McNabb
August 23, 1973 Finlandia-talo, Helsinki, Finland (late show)
Engineer: Kerry McNabb
August 24, 1973 Finlandia-talo, Helsinki, Finland
Engineer: Kerry McNabb
September 7, 1973 The Mothers Over-Nite Sensation (LP, DiscReet MS 2149)
1973 Paramount Recording Studios, LA, CA or Bolic Sound, Inglewood, CA
September 26, 1973 Paramount Recording Studios, LA, CA
George Duke—keyboards

October 26-December 2, 1973
US East Coast & Canada

  The Mothers Of Invention:
FZ—guitar, vocals
Napoleon Murphy Brock—tenor sax, vocals
George Duke—keyboards, vocals
Bruce Fowler—trombone
Ruth Underwood—percussion
Tom Fowler—bass
Ralph Humphrey—drums
Chester Thompson—drums
 
October 20, 1973 Los Angeles, CA (rehearsal)
October 21, 1973 Los Angeles, CA (rehearsal)
October 31, 1973 (early show) Auditorium Theatre, Chicago, IL
October 31, 1973 (late show) Auditorium Theatre, Chicago, IL

December 8-14, 1973
US West Coast

December 8, 1973 Roxy, Los Angeles, CA
16-track remote facility: Wally Heider
Recording engineer: Kerry McNabb
December 9, 1973, early show Roxy, Los Angeles, CA
December 9, 1973, late show Roxy, Los Angeles, CA
December 10, 1973, rehearsal Roxy, Los Angeles, CA
December 10, 1973, early show Roxy, Los Angeles, CA
December 10, 1973, late show Roxy, Los Angeles, CA
December 12, 1973 Bolic Sound, Inglewood, CA
Engineer: Bob Hughes

FZ—vocals
Napoleon Murphy Brock—vocals
George Duke—keyboards
Ruth Underwood—percussion
Bruce Fowler—trombone
Tom Fowler—bass
Chester Thompson—drums
Ralph Humphrey—drums
Linda Sims—background vocals
Debbie Wilson—background vocals

1974

early 1974 Paramount Recording Studios, LA, CA
Engineer: Kerry McNabb
January 23, 1974 Paramount Recording Studios, LA, CA
Napoleon Murphy Brock—tenor sax, vocals
George Duke—keyboards, vocals
Bruce Fowler—trombone

February 15-23, 1974
California

  The Mothers Of Invention:
FZ—guitar, vocals
Jeff Simmons—guitar, vocals
Napoleon Murphy Brock—tenor sax, vocals
George Duke—keyboards, vocals
Bruce Fowler—trombone
Ruth Underwood—percussion
Tom Fowler—bass
Ralph Humphrey—drums
Chester Thompson—drums
The Mothers Feb-Mar '74

March 1-10, 1974
US East Coast

March 14-23, 1974
US West Coast & Canada

March 18, 1974 Terrace Ballroom, Salt Lake City, UT
4-track
Engineer: Bob Ludwig
March 21, 1974 City Auditorium, Colorado Springs, CO
4-track
Engineer: Bob Ludwig
March 22, 1974 Frank Zappa Apostrophe (') (LP, DiscReet DS 2175)

April 19-May 12, 1974
US East Coast—10th Anniversary Tour

  The Mothers Of Invention:
FZ—guitar, vocals
Jeff Simmons—guitar, vocals
Napoleon Murphy Brock—tenor sax, vocals
George Duke—keyboards, vocals
Don Preston—keyboards
Bruce Fowler—trombone
Walt Fowler—trumpet
Tom Fowler—bass
Ralph Humphrey—drums
Chester Thompson—drums
 
April 25, 1974 Indiana University Radio-TV Center
Interviewed by Craig Eldon Pinkus
  • FZ On Varèse [#118]
  • "They Are Only In It For The Money" [#120]
May 8, 1974 Edinboro State College, PA
4-track
Engineer: Bill Hennigh
May 11, 1974 Auditorium Theater, Chicago, IL (early show)
4-track
Engineer: Bill Hennigh
May 11, 1974 Auditorium Theater, Chicago, IL (late show)
4-track
Engineer: Bill Hennigh
May 12, 1974 Notre Dame University, South Bend, Indiana
May 15, 1974 Ahmet Emuukha Rodan Zappa is born  

June 28-July 21, 1974
Canada & US

  The Mothers Of Invention:
FZ—guitar, vocals
Jeff Simmons—guitar, vocals (until July 4, 1974)
Napoleon Murphy Brock—tenor sax, vocals
George Duke—keyboards, vocals
Ruth Underwood—percussion
Tom Fowler—bass
Chester Thompson—drums
MOI June '74
June 21, 1974 DiscReet Rehearsal Studio, LA
Remote facility: Wally Heider
June 30, 1974 Son-Quebec, Montreal
Robert Charlebois—vocals
Marcel Beauchamp—bass, keyboards
Michel Robidoux—guitar
Michel Fauteux—drums
FZ—guitar solo
July 3, 1974 Illinois State University, Bloomington, Illinois
Jeff Simmons last known concert with the Mothers
 

August 8-17, 1974
California

  The Mothers OF Invention:
FZ—guitar, vocals
Napoleon Murphy Brock—tenor sax, vocals
George Duke—keyboards, vocals
Ruth Underwood—percussion
Tom Fowler—bass
Chester Thompson—drums
MOI '74
August 27, 1974 "A Token Of His Extreme"
KCET, LA
Remote facility: Wally Heider
Recording engineer: Kerry McNabb
P.A. Mix: Brian Krokus

September 6-October 5, 1974
European Tour

September 10, 1974 Zappa/Mothers Roxy & Elsewhere (2 LPs, DiscReet 2DS 2202)
September 22-23, 1974 Kulttuuritalo, Helsinki, Finland
Finnlevy Studiot, Helsinki
16-track Engineer: Jukka Teittinen
September 25, 1974 Konserthuset, Gothenburg, Sweden
4-track
Engineer: Brian Krokus
September 27, 1974 Palais des Sports, Paris, France
September 28, 1974 Sportpalais Ahoy, Rotterdam, Netherlands
October 1, 1974 Festhalle Mustermesse, Basel, Switzerland (early show)
4-track
Engineer: Brian Krokus

October 28-December 3, 1974
US East Coast

October 28, 1974 George Duke Feel (LP, BASF MC-25355) FZ aka Obdew'l X, guitar on "Love" and "Old Slipper"
November 8, 1974 Capitol Theatre, Passaic, New Jersey
Scully 4-track
Engineer: Brian Krokus
November 12, 1974 Gannon Auditorium, Gannon College, Erie, PA
Scully 4-track
Engineer: Brian Krokus
November 15, 2024 Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, NY
November 20, 1974 Hara Arena, Dayton, OH
Scully 4-track
Engineer: Brian Krokus
c. November 23, 1974 Michael Urso replaces Tom Fowler  
c. November 26, 1974 James "Birdlegs" Youmans replaces Michael Urso  
December 5-26, 1974 Caribou Ranch, Nederland, Colorado
24-track
Engineer: Kerry McNabb

FZ—acoustic guitar
James "Birdlegs" Youmans—acoustic guitar
December 5-26, 1974 Caribou Ranch, Nederland, Colorado (Probably)
FZ—guitar
George Duke—keyboards
Ruth Underwood—percussion, synthesizer
James "Birdlegs" Youmans—bass
Chester Thompson—drums

December 31, 1974
California

December 31, 1974 Long Beach Arena, CA
Tom Fowler is back
 

1975

January 3, 1975 The Record Plant, LA
Recordist: Michael Braunstein
Engineer: Gary O ?
FZ—guitar
Bruce Fowler—trombone
Don Waldrop—trombone
Jock Ellis—trombone
Dana Hughes—bass trombone
Earle Dumler—oboe
JoAnn Caldwell McNab—bassoon
Mike Altschul—woodwinds
Graham Young—trumpet
Malcolm McNab—trumpet
Ray Reed—flute
Victor Morosco—sax
John Rotella—woodwinds
January 6, 1975 The Record Plant, LA
FZ—guitar
George Duke—keyboards
Pamela Goldsmith—viola
Murray Adler—violin
Sheldon Sanov—violin
Jerry Kessler—cello
Edward Meares—bass
Bruce Fowler—trombone
Don Waldrop—trombone
Jock Ellis—trombone
Dana Hughes—bass trombone
Earle Dumler—oboe
JoAnn Caldwell McNab—bassoon
Mike Altschul—woodwinds
Malcolm McNab—trumpet
Jay Daversa trumpet
Ray Reed—flute
Victor Morosco—sax
John Rotella—woodwinds
Tom Fowler—bass
Chester Thompson—drums
January 8, 1975 The Record Plant, LA
FZ—guitar
George Duke—keyboards
Napoleon Murphy Brock—tenor sax, vocals
Tom Fowler—bass
Chester Thompson—drums
January 9, 1975 The Record Plant, LA
FZ—guitar
George Duke—keyboards
Napoleon Murphy Brock—tenor sax, vocals
Tom Fowler—bass
Chester Thompson—drums
January 10, 1975 The Record Plant, LA
FZ—guitar
John Berkman—piano
Michael Zearott—piano
Mike Altschul—woodwinds and/or contractor
Alan Estes—percussion
Emil Richards—percussion
January 13, 1975 The Record Plant, LA
FZ—guitar
John Berkman—piano
Michael Zearott—piano
Mike Altschul—woodwinds and/or contractor
Alan Estes—percussion
Emil Richards—percussion
January 14, 1975 The Record Plant, LA
FZ—guitar
John Berkman—piano
Michael Zearott—piano
Mike Altschul—woodwinds and/or contractor
Alan Estes—percussion
Emil Richards—percussion
January-February 1975 The Record Plant, LA
c. January-February 1975 Johnny "Guitar" Watson—vocal overdubs
March 3, 1975 The Record Plant, LA
Engineer: Michael Braunstein

Bruce Fowler—overdubs
 
March 4, 1975 The Record Plant, LA
Engineer: Michael Braunstein

Alan Estes—percussion overdubs
Emil Richards—percussion overdubs
  • "Var. I"
March 5, 1975 The Record Plant, LA
Engineer: Michael Braunstein
December 1974-February 1975 Caribou Ranch, Nederland, Colorado and/or Record Plant, LA and/or Paramount Recording Studios, LA, CA

April 11, 1975
California

  Zappa/Beefheart/Mothers:
FZ—guitar, vocals
Captain Beefheart—harp, vocals
Denny Walley—slide guitar, vocals
George Duke—keyboards, vocals
Napoleon Murphy Brock—sax, vocals
Bruce Fowler—trombone
Tom Fowler—bass
Terry Bozzio—drums
 

April 18-May 26, 1975
US East (and West) Coast

May 20-21, 1975 Armadillo World Headquarters, Austin, Texas
Record Plant Remote
16-track
Engineer: Davey Moire
June 25, 1975 Frank Zappa and The Mothers Of Invention One Size Fits All (LP, DiscReet DS 2216)
summer 1975 The Mothers Of Invention:
(only rehearsals)
FZ—guitar, vocals
Robert "Frog" Camarena—guitar, vocals
Denny Walley—guitar, vocals
Novi Novog—viola, keyboards, vocals
Napoleon Murphy Brock—sax, keyboards, vocals
Roy Estrada—bass, vocals
Terry Bozzio—drums, vocals
The band that never was
August 25, 1975 4-track
early September 1975 cassette
Recorded by Denny Walley
summer, 1975 The Record Plant, LA

September 17-18, 1975
Abnuceals Emuukha Electric Symphony Orchestra

September 18, 1975 Royce Hall, UCLA
P.A. mix: Davey Moire
Recording Engineer: Mike Stone

Abnuceals Emuukha Electric Symphony Orchestra
September 17-19, 1975 Royce Hall, UCLA
Recording Engineer: Mike Stone

Abnuceals Emuukha Electric Symphony Orchestra

September 27-December 9, 1975
US, Yugoslavia & Canada

  The Mothers Of Invention:
FZ—guitar, vocals
André Lewis—keyboards, vocals
Napoleon Murphy Brock—tenor sax, vocals
Roy Estrada—bass, vocals
Terry Bozzio—drums, vocals
 
October 2, 1975 Zappa/Beefheart/Mothers Bongo Fury (LP, DiscReet DS 2234)
October 26, 1975 Dressing Room
Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY
Nagra 2-track
November 1, 1975 Norma Jean Bell (alto sax, vocals) joins The Mothers  
November 1, 1975 William & Mary Hall, College Of William & Mary, Williamsburg, VA
2-track
Recorded by Davey Moire
November 21, 1975 Sportska Dvorana, Zagreb, Yugoslavia
November 22, 1975 Hala Tivoli, Ljubljana, Yugoslavia
December 9, 1975 Centre Municipal des Congres de Quebec, Canada
Last known gig of Norma Jean Bell with The Mothers
 

December 26-31, 1975
California

This project researched & developed by Román García Albertos
http://www.donlope.net/fz/
WARNING: This is not a complete list of FZ concerts, as only those of special significance or which are represented in FZ's official output appear in this chronology. If you're looking for an exhaustive list of FZ concerts go to Charles Ulrich's Frank Zappa Gig List, and if you're looking for the complete known setlists go to Oscar Bianco's FZShows, v. 7.1.
Here's a list of main sources & contributions
Release dates and sessions information taken from Greg Russo, Cosmik Debris: The Collected History And Improvisations Of Frank Zappa (The Son Of Revised), 2003
Concert dates and venues taken from Charles Ulrich's Frank Zappa Gig List
Corrections & additions welcome
This page updated: 2024-10-05