Musikexpress

 Germany

Started in August 1969 as Musik Express – an independent German edition of Dutch Muziek Expres. Later merged with Sounds and from January 1983 the magazine was titled Musikexpress/Sounds. The all-time highest print run was in 1984. Since September 2000 the magazine is titled Musikexpress. In 2009 started collaboration with American Spin.

1970 March

No. 171


Article on MIDEM convention 1970 is about best performers on this festival. The FZ picture is included, but Zappa is not mentioned in the text. As we know, FZ jammed with French group Docdail during MIDEM convention, see Best, March 1970.

1971 June

No. 186


The corresponding Dutch issue (May 1971) has an article on 200 Motels. German issue contains only a full-page poster.

1971 July

No. 187


Back cover poster. No Zappa-related content inside.

1972 February

No. 194

200 Motels: Ein Spiegelbild der Wirklichkeit (A reflection of reality)
pp 36-39


Page 37 is an abbreviated translation of the "Hypothetical interview with Frank Zappa ..."

1972 April

No. 196

Captain Beefheart: von Zappa zum Genie ernannt (Proclaimed a genius by Zappa)
By ?, p 20


From page 34 we know, that Amon Düül II singer Renate Knaup's personal top ten has two MOI albums.

1972 May

No. 197

Im Plattentest
By Jaki Liebzeit, p 13


What the Can drummer Jaki Liebzeit has to say about Zappa and "Willie The Pimp" is on page 13.
Page 15 has a short FZ discography as an answer to the reader's question.

1973 March

No. 3

Frank Zappa "Grand Wazoo"
By Karl Heinz Borchert, pp 42-43
Im Plattentest
By Walter Quintus, p 45


On page 45 Walter Quintus from the German band Parzival is testing "Low Yo-Yo Stuff" by Captain Beefheart and "For Calvin ..." by Frank Zappa.

Source: musikexpress.de

1973 November

No. 11

Nektar: ganz sicher nicht mehr mit Zappa (Nektar: definitely not with Zappa anymore)
By ?, p 43


An interview with Nektar's bass player Derek "Mo" Moore after the joint European concert tour with Zappa in September. Nektar was very unhappy with the whole arrangement and concluded that they would never tour with Zappa again.

Source: musikexpress.de

1975 December

No. 12

ME Special Story: Frank Zappa
Rock-Genie und Bürgerschreck
(Rock genius and citizen fright)
By ?, pp 60-69
Labelträume-Labelschäume (Label dreams - label foams)
By ?, pp 22-24


1976 January

No. 1

Zappa/Beefheart/Mothers "Bongo Fury"
By Ba, p 34


Automatic translation: Georgie Duke on keyboards, Chester Thompson, who now plays with Weather Report, on drums, Bruce and Tom Fowler on trombone and bass (according to the cover also as dancers), Don Van Vliet aka Captain Beefheart on vocals, plus three other Mothers and of course Frankie-Boy Zappa - can it get any better and more fun? (read more)

Source: musikexpress.de

1976 February

No. 2

Apostrophe album ad on the back cover 


There is no more Zappa content in the issue.


Source: musikexpress.de

1977 February

No. 2

Frank Zappa "Zoot Allures"
By Karl Heinz Borchert, pp 44-45


Automatic translation: With “Zoot Allures” Zappa seems to open a catchy chapter. Calmer and more serene, he seems to be down from his jazzy speed collage trip. The pieces are no longer cluttered like they used to be. Maybe it's because of his current companions, who aren't nearly as clever and experienced as the pros George Duke or Ruth Underwood. (read more)

Source: musikexpress.de

1977 March

No. 3

Frank Zappa unterwegs (Frank Zappa On The Road)
By Hermann Haring, pp 24, 26
Originalton Zappa "LSD vom CIA"
By Jim Ladd, p 26


The second article about LSD and CIA is taken from US radio interview - Innerview, Radio show with Jim Ladd. This interview is also contained in GSW Project vol 17.

Source: Pittylabelle @ zappateers

1978 August

No. 8

Frank Zappa "Zappa In New York"
By Wolfgang Freund, p 48


Automatic translation: Even though Frank Zappa changes his musicians like other people don't even change their underwear, after all these years he is managed to preserve his joy of playing and his spirit of experimentation. This album was recorded live in New York in late 1976. With an unparalleled sovereignty, Zappa spits, moans and roars through the four sides of the LP.(read more)

Source: musikexpress.de

1979 January

No. 1

Frank Zappa "Studio Tan"
By in, p 43
George Duke: Jazzrock aus dem Zauberstab
By wof, pp 10-11


Automatic translation: So it's clear: George Duke, Ruth Underwood, Chester Thompson and also Zappa (the album was recorded a year ago) are good musicians. 'When someone becomes a musician, the music is no longer human'. This Iggy Pop quote hits the nail on the head with Zappa. (read more)

Source: musikexpress.de

1979 March

No. 3

Frank Zappa "Sleep Dirt"
By Werner Pennes, p 48


Automatic translation: Zappa is enigmatic again – he claims his fellow players are “unavailable” (unusable, not available), and WEA, his previous sales company, doesn't know anything specific either. It could be that he tricked everything on this LP, or most of it alone, because weaknesses cannot be hidden, especially in the rhythm; on the marimba, however, Ruth Underwood comes under suspicion. (read more)

Source: musikexpress.de

1979 April

No. 4

Frank Zappa "Sheik Yerbouti"
By Werner Pennes, p 50


Automatic translation: With a play on words (Sheik Yerbouti – shake your booty), Frank Zappa makes his promising debut on CBS. And it can't be compared at all with the DiscReet latecomer album "Sleep Dirt" by WEA (see ME 3/79). A usual Zappa circus is rolling here again: garish, dazzling, deafening, raising dust - number for number breathtaking. (read more)

Source: musikexpress.de

1979 May

No. 5

Frank Zappa
Interview by Ray Bonici, pp 16, 18, 20


The same interview was later published in Yugoslavian monthly Džuboks. Publications in English are not known.
Automatic translation: ME: Have you ever heard a guitarist that resembles you? Zappa: Yes. Warren [Cuccurullo]. He is the only one. He sits at home and memorizes my guitar solos. I can't even play those solos anymore. On stage we play "Andy" from One Size Fits All and he solos note for note. I just sit there and he plays it. I couldn't do it anymore. (read more)

1979 September

No. 9

Zappa: Joe's Garagenreport
By ?, p 4


Automatic translation: One of the most provocative albums to ever leave Frank Zappa's stable is said to be his latest opus "Joe's Garage"; a kind of rock opera and the first part of a triology. The story: Joe wants to be a rock guitarist and The Central Scrutinisizer (Frank Zappa) advises him to study with religiously oriented people first. Joe promptly falls in love with a Catholic girl. This was in response to Sheik Yerbouti's Jewish Princess, which got him into trouble with a Jewish association. This time good old Frank will have to mess with the Catholics who are so obscene Insinuations will not be left behind on their girls.

1979 October

No. 10


Joe's Garage Act I ad on page 49. There is no more Zappa-related content in this issue.

1979 November

No. 11

Frank Zappa "Joe's Garage Act I"
By fm, p 48


Automatic translation: The latest work from Zappa's ongoing band: the first act of a trilogy. It's kind of a teenage drama - a band rehearses in Dad's suburban garage, falls apart. One develops into a sleazy businessman, the other finally has the long-awaited hit after years of waiting and therefore also falls under the wheels of the business. In between there's the meanwhile obligatory groupie smuts (underlaid by the unmistakably dirty laugh of the Maestro), Catholic priests turn out to be leather fetishists, abduct some fiends from a roadie crew and... uh-mmm, well you know... cuties, cute teen girls in white dresses and at the end Joe asks: "Why does it hurt when I pee?" (read more)


Automatic translation: As might be expected, Papa Zappa filled up the half dozen for '79 when he released the two remaining acts of his mammoth work Joe's Garage as a double album - just in time for the holiday season." (read more)

1980 April

No. 4

Captain Beefheart and The Magic Band "Shiny Beast"
By Dankmar Isleib, p 55
Mother Of Freaks
By Ray Bonici, pp 68-70, 72-74, 76


Soure: musikexpress.de

1981 May

No. 5

Frank Zappa "Tinsel Town Rebellion"
By mk, p 68
The Grandmothers "An anthology of previously unreleased tracks by ex-members of the mothers of invention"
By pbo, p 71


Automatic translation: Grace Slick, then with Jetterson Airplane, once said of Frank Zappa: 'He's the smartest asshole I've ever met.' With his live double LP TINSEL TOWN REBELLION, Zappa of all people sets out to demonstrate what Grace Slick might have meant. After all, no one would doubt that Frank Zappa is highly intelligent. However, we still have to come to the other attribute in the following. (read more)

Source: musikexpress.de

1981 November

No. 11

Frank Zappa "You Are What You Is"
By mk, p 68


Automatic translation: High school students from all countries, unite! Because here comes your senior teacher, cracking the same joke for the umpteenth time that he tells every year when he wants to ingratiate himself with a new class. (read more)

Source: musikexpress.de

1982 March

No. 3

Frank Zappa "Shut Up 'n Play Yer Guitar"
By Steve Lake, pp 65-66


Automatic translation: In fact, I think this LP set is the best album Zappa has ever made. What's more: he almost makes kindling out of the efforts of those guitarists who sail in the fairway between jazz and rock. (read more)

Source: musikexpress.de


Automatic translation: Who is Zappa trying to annoy? Or does he really want to address someone with the bombardment he has been unleashing on the already flooded sound carrier market for years? Is it about the fans? - God knows they've seen him better than on SHIP... (read more)

Source: musikexpress.de

1982 July

No. 7

Alles Scheiße!
Interview by Sylvie Simmons, pp 24-27


Automatic translation: Why do you usually release double albums?
"Some authors write short stories and others write long stories. It's hard for me to make easy albums, although my next record will be one. I don't like the format."
Is a double album enough?

"No. Just one example: in the last few months we've recorded eighteen album sides. I could release them all at once if someone could afford to buy them. But nobody can, so it will be a single album." (
read more)

Source: Pittylabelle @ zappateers

1983 June

No. 6

Frank Zappa "The Man From Utopia"
By Bernward Meier, p 74


Automatic translation: Fortunately, at least Zappa himself keeps a record of the production of his works. As has been heard, he is said to have created an Opus directory. Something like this might be important for later authors of rock music histories, because the fact that one now loses track of his records is not only due to their quantity, but certainly to a considerable extent to their quality. (read more)

Source: musikexpress.de

1984 November

No. 11

Frank Zappa
Interview by Alan Bangs, pp 26-28, 30
Frank Zappa "Them Or Us"
By Steve Lake, p 92


Automatic translation: Actually, he was fed up with Europe. In Germany in particular, he growled after his last tour, they wanted to reduce him to the role of frightening citizens and making political speeches. At 44 years of age, however, he no longer wants to be a prayer wheel for calcified political freaks. He says. But when he opens his mouth, he'll be the old revolutionary Frank again. Alan Bangs met the master of the all-rounder at the beginning of his tour in Brussels. (read more)

Source: Pittylabelle @ zappateers

1987 March

No. 3


This issue features pictures of Wolfgang Wesener, a German photographer active for the last three years in New York. Included is a picture of Frank Zappa, made obviously in Limelight, New York. See also Details, February 1987.

Source: Fulvio Fiore

1988 June

No. 6

Frank Zappa. Köln, Sporthalle.
By Teddy Hoersch, p 61


Automatic translation: Subtle tone puzzles, sophisticated arrangements, cacophonous free jazz attacks, obscene text structures, mathematically strict music that draws on every imaginable source... That's right - it can only be Frank Zappa. (read more)

1988 July

No. 7

Freak & Sohn
By Steve Lake, pp 8-10, 12, 14


Automatic translation: Once upon a time there was a shock of the citizens. He posed naked on the toilet bowl, exposed the state and church on the stage and frightened prudish America with pornographic texts. And private? What is it like when the father is a freak? ME / Sounds brought Frank and Dweezil Zappa to the table. (read more)

1989 March

No. 3

Zappa Zoo
By ?, pp 60-61


These pictures are taken by Lynn Goldsmith in 1988. The article here is titled as "Zappa Zoo – Holiday on the Freak Farm". See also Zappainfrance.

Source: Pittylabelle @ zappateers

1991 September

No. 9

Zappa For President
Interview by Rudi Dolezal, pp 30-32, 34


Automatic translation: It was well known that he was a political mind. It was not to be expected, even from a lateral thinker like Zappa, that he would now apply for the post of American President. ME/Sounds contributor Rudi Dolezal met the candidate in Prague, where he spoke to Czech President Václav Havel about what is on his mind most at the moment: politics. (read more)

1992 April

No. 4

Jeff Wong
By ?, pp 40-45


Source: Fulvio Fiore


Automatic translation: Frank Zappa mothballed his guitar and turned his back on the rock 'n' roll business with its adolescent excesses. "At my age you just have to look around for something more serious," he responded succinctly to comments that he has now finally changed fronts - from the eternal enfant terrible to the established e-musician. (read more)

Source: Fulvio Fiore

1992 December

No. 12

Punkt Punkt Komma Strich (Period period comma dash. Can musicians paint too?)
By Walter Dahn, pp 12-14, 16


Source: Fulvio Fiore

1993 May

No. 5

Frank Zappa "The Man From Utopia"
By Uwe Schleifenbaum, p 94
Frank Zappa "The Amazing Mr. Bickford"
By Uwe Schleifenbaum, p 98
Zappas Geige (Zappa's violin)
By Franks Sohnemann, p 100


Source: Fulvio Fiore

1993 June

No. 6

Frank Zappa & Das Ensemble Modern "The Yellow Shark"
By Werner Theurich, p 77
Mothers Of Invention "Ahead Of Their Time"
By Uwe Schleifenbaum, p 84


Source: Fulvio Fiore

1993 July

No. 7


The Yellow Shark and Shampoo Horn ads on page 75. Nothing else about Zappa in this edition.

Source: Fulvio Fiore

1993 November

No. 11

Frank Zappa "Hot Rats"
By Holger True, pp 102-103
Frank Zappa "Over-Nite Sensation"
By Holger True, pp 97-98


This is the "100 best albums in Rock History, Part 2" special, where Hot Rats was #37, Over-Nite Sensation #45 and Safe As Milk by Captain Beefheart #39.

Source: Fulvio Fiore

1993 December

No. 12

Captain Beefheart "Trout Mask Replica"
By Steve Lake, pp 96, 98


This is the "100 best albums in Rock History, Part 1" special, where Trout Mask Replica was #21.

Source: Fulvio Fiore

1994 February

No. 2

Special – Frank Zappa komplett
By Steve Lake, pp 92-97
Captain Beefheart
By Uwe Schleifenbaum, pp 30-31


1994 December

No. 12

Grüße aus der Gruf (Greetings from the crypt)
By Albert Koch, p 20
Schräg - Frank Zappa "Civilization Phaze III"
By Michael Ruff, p 75


Source: Fulvio Fiore

2003 December

No. 12

Zappa für Einsteiger (Zappa for beginner)
By Christoph Lindemann, p 91
Does Humor Belong In Music? DVD (review)
By Uwe Schleifenbaum, p 93


2017 February

No. 2

Neu Auf Vinyl (reviews)
We're Only In In For The Money
Lumpy Gravy
Cruising With Ruben And The Jets
Weasels Ripped My Flesh

By Albert Koch, p 101


2017 April

No. 4

Eat That Question. DVD (review)
By Mike Köhler, p 105


2020 February

No. 2

Frank Zappa. Hot Rats Sessions 50th Anniversary Limited Edition (review)
By Mike Köhler, p 97


2020 July

No. 7

Frank Zappa. Immer ein Freak.
By Chris Weiss, pp 54-59