Frank Zappa Classic Performances Including “Stevie’s Spanking” Ft. Steve Vai in 1981— Video

 

75 years ago today, Frank Zappa was born in Baltimore, Maryland. Although he has not been with us for over 20 years, his unparalleled career and influence as a musician, songwriter, composer, record producer, actor and filmmaker is still just as important today as ever.

Zappa produced almost all of the more than 60 albums he released with the band the Mothers of Invention and as a solo artist and there still is a flow of archival material still to be released.

To celebrate his birthday, let’s look back at some classic moments featuring FZ in the clips below. Including; a 1963 appearance on The Steve Allan Show (where he plays music on a bicycle!), a live performance with The Mothers of Invention, in London from 1968. From 1981,”Stevie’s Spanking” live in New York with Steve Vai and in the bottom video, “Punky’s Whips” from late 1970s featuring Terry Bozzio.