100 drummers I’ve seen and heard (Live) since 1966 - Ralph Humphrey and Frank Zappa 1973
#23 of 100
#23 of 100 Featured Drummers / Ralph Humphrey with Frank Zappa – March 4, 1973 – Peabody Auditorium Daytona Beach
This is another drummer feature for the early 70’s, again attended with my good friend Louie Simmons. “Note of a Young Drummer 1966-1969”.
My memory has logged in my brain that this was 1971, but the Zappa Tour Itinerary doesn’t show a Daytona gig. Also, Ralph Humphrey is listed with Frank in 1973.
This event took place in Daytona Beach, at the Peabody Auditorium. The Peabody has a great reputation for its acoustics and artist visibility. I’ve performed there on 2 occasions with Nobel “Thin Man” Watts and Mark Hodgson.
Our 1973 seats were 15-20 rows back from the front of the stage. Pacific Gas and Electric opened. They were from Los Angeles, had a West Coast sound and vibe. Their most popular tune was a song called, Are You Ready?
My first experience to the music of Frank Zappa was his first band called, Mothers of Invention. (His debut album Freak Out, released in 1966)
As a 16 year-old kid, this was much different from the British Invasion music that dominated Top 40 radio. It was weird and rebellious.
I heard this record at an un-chaperoned teen party. Alcohol was still the buzz of choice. The juvenile delinquent’s I was hanging out with were talking about smoking banana peels and sniffing glue. Herbal Medicine, wasn’t on the scene yet in Sanford and Orlando.
“It can’t happen here” was a popular weirdo track.
I really had zero idea what I was listening too, it was just weird and different. “Want to buy some pencils? Here’s one for mother!
In my book “Notes of a Young Drummer 1966-1969” I write about the album “Absolutely Free” and my Key West experience, March 1968. That’s the Zappa record that started to capture my attention as a musician. I’m listening to it right now. It sounds better than ever.
“Brown Shoes Don’t Make It”
If you’re a fan of Frank, you know that he reinvents himself with each version of his many bands. Frank’s choice of “band” drummers is historical. Starting with Jimmy Carl Black, Billy Mundi, Ansley Dunbar, Ralph Humphrey, Chester Thompson, Terry Bozzio, Vinnie Colaiuta, Chad Wackerman.
The band I heard and saw included Frank Zappa / Ian Underwood / Bruce Fowler / Ruth Underwood / Jean-Luc Ponty / George Duke / Tom Fowler and Ralph Humphrey on drums.
Frank was a genius-his music speaks for itself.
This video includes Ralph Humphrey and the group I heard in 1973.