Product Description

The Mothers of Invention were a band of anarchic, free-spirited, musically telepathic mavericks headed by the genius of Frank Zappa. Billy James recaptures the early years as remembered by those who were there; Jimmy Carl Black, Roy Estrada, Bunk Gardner, Buzz Gardner and Don Preston. Fully illustrated, the book investigates the oddball humor that surrounded the Zappa entourage from 1964-1970 and presents a fitting tribute.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1003956 in Books
• Published on: 2001-07-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 160 pages

From Booklist
James' book about Frank Zappa and his early band mates is flat-out wonderful. For starters (well, enders, actually), its discography covers Zappa, the Mothers of Invention, and each individual Mother--not only Jimmy Carl Black's entire oeuvre, but those of Ian Underwood and Motorhead Sherwood, too. Yow! Meanwhile, among the crucial bits of Zappa lore James assembles are the other Mothers' perspectives on ex-Turtles Mark Volman and Howard Kaylan joining the band during the videotaping of 200 Motels. At the time, the legal backwash from the Turtles' breakup precluded the two singers from recording under their real names. So on Chunga's Revenge, Zappa billed them as Flo & Eddie, aka the Phlorescent Leech and Eddie, monikers appropriated from two Turtles roadies but which Volman and Kaylan use to this day. With so many great details, the lack of an index is disappointing, but it mustn't dissuade pop music collections from acquiring this vital look back at late '60s L.A and its pop music scene--a retrospection delightfully skewed by Zappa's genius and his and the other Mothers' perspectives. Certainly, no self-respecting Zappa-tista will snub the book for having no index. After all, these musicians are the guys who pretty much created alternative rock. Mike Tribby
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Customer Reviews

Nice Little History of Mothers Mk I
This book contains a pretty decent history of Zappa and the Mothers from 65 - 70. The anecdotal information is delivered by the guys who lived the experience, Preston, Black, Collins, Estrada, Gardener, and others who joined later. The actual history is a wee bit short and the writing style is somewhat... well, James clearly doesn't write books and wasn't educated to write books for a living, let's just put it that way. Still, it is and enjoyable, quick read.

An interesting read for all who want to learn about the early Mothers. Don't expect to understand the contradictions that are Frank Zappa after reading this. There probably isn't anything that could impart that kind of understanding.

Fun quick read for Zappa fans
This was a fairly entertaining read about the early years of Zappa and the Mothers of Invention. Overall this was a fun, quick read but it would probably only interest you if you were into Zappa.

Hey! Someone actually wrote a decent book on Frank Zappa!
Billy James has actually written a decent book on Frank Zappa. Unlike most authors who have written on this subject, James refrains from blathering prose that seems to exist mainly to show readers how "literate" and "intellectual" they are. His book is mainly based on interviews that he conducted with members of the early Mothers, and in a style not unlike Stephen Ambrose, transcription excerpts from these interviews form the foundation of the book. I found this book engaging, readable, with only a few minor, forgiveable inaccuracies. Well done, Billy James