Zappa

Yesterday, as we were organizing our study closet, I went through a stack of Guitar World magazines from 1998-2000.  In the Feb. ’99 issue, there’s an article about Frank Zappa that I still remember and think about 10 years later, so I re-read it.

A thing that amazed me was Steve Vai’s story of auditioning to be in Zappa’s band:

Frank had given me a tape of stuff to learn, and, at the rehearsal hall, of course he only played stuff that wasn’t on the tape… He was really grilling me: he picked up his guitar and played something and asked me to mimic it at a specific tempo.  Then he asked me to play it in 7/8, which I did.  Then he said, “Play it in 7/8, reggae style,” and I did it.  And he said, “Now add this,” and I looked at him and said, “I can’t — that’s impossible.”  Because it was!  And he said, “Well, I head Linda Rondstadt is looking for a guitar player!”

..After the rehearsal, I went up to Frank and said, “I’m sorry, but thanks for having me down, and if you ever need me for anything give me a ring.”  And he looked at me and said, “You’re in the band!”