Los Angeles Free Press

 USA

 
The Los Angeles Free Press (often called "the Freep") was among the most widely distributed underground newspapers of the 1960s, and it is often cited as the first such paper. Edited and published (weekly, for most of its existence) by Art Kunkin, the paper initially appeared as a broadsheet titled "Faire Free Press" in 1964, then became the LA Free Press newspaper in 1965.(wikipedia)

1965 September 10

Vol. 2 No. 37 Issue 60

 


On page 6 is small ad "The Mothers is a nice little band". This issue is the first appearance of this ad. The same ad was repeated in next issues in September 1965.

Source: Independent Voices

 

1965 October 1

Vol. 2 No. 40 Issue 63

Tim Carey versus Joe Pine: Return Bout On Saturday
By Al Saxton, pp 3,8 


The article on pages 3 and 8 is about the movie The World's Greatest Sinner. Composer Frank Zappa is not mentioned.

On page 6 is ad "Rasputin say: The Mothers is a nice little band ... I suppose". This issue is the first appearance of this ad. The same ad was repeated in several next issues in October and December 1965.

On page 9 is The World's Greatest Sinner ad.

Source: Independent Voices

 

1965 December 31

Vol. 2 No. 40 Issue 63

A Year End Garland from the Free Press
pp 10, 11


On pages 10 an 11 is "A Year End Garland from the Free Press". The Mothers Band is named in the left lower corner of page 11.

 

Source: Independent Voices

 

1966 July 8

Vol. 3 No. 27 Issue 103

 

Kooks, Little Green Books And Zappa Blows Bicycle
By Jerry Hopkins, p 12


Another "kook" I lost track of was the guy who came into the Steve Allen Theatre and looked me in the eye and said: "I play musical bicycle."

I said, "What?"

"I blow bicycle, man. I want to teach Steve how to blow bicycle."

I said okay, go get your bike and show me how it's done. Which is exactly what he did – "tuning" the spokes with a spoke wrench before plucking them. Then he blew a few notes across the open end of the handlebars. This went on for some time, with variations. The melody was intriguing, if less than consistent. (read more)

 

1966 July 15

Vol. 3 No. 28 Issue 104

 


Source: Andre Mount

 

1966 July 22

Vol. 3 No. 29 Issue 105

 


  

Source: Andre Mount

 

1966 July 29

Vol. 3 No. 30 Issue 106

 

GUAMBO Is An Act Of Love – Mothers, Happenings, Dancing
By Jerry Hopkins, p 6


 The Factory finishes its set and The Mothers of Invention go on. This is one of the truly wild scenes of the evening. Frank Zappa in his suit of flowers. His sidemen are garbed similarly and, behind them are five other musicians augmenting the group. Five short haired American Federation of Musician types in black suits, white shirts and black ties. Just sitting there, reading charts, blowing with the Mothers the Mother sound. And the Mother's Auxiliary dancing, dancing, dancing ....

Carl, of "Hungry Freaks, Daddy" fame, is one of the featured dancers now. He is wearing what looks like zebra-skinned long johns with a pop art All-American Superman bib. Two nice ladies are dancing with him, alternating with some of Vito's group ... and from the dance floor comes a man in a mummy suit to join in.  (read more)

 

1966 August 5

Vol. 3 No. 31 Issue 107

 


  

Source: Andre Mount

 
 

1966 August 19

Vol. 3 No. 33 Issue 109

 


Page 11:

 Last Saturday's Freak Out with the Mothers of Invention as the main band, backed up by The Factory and The Coloring Book, was a mixed success. The Mothers put on a brilliant show in the huge Shrine Exposition Hall but, unlike the previous Underground Arts Masked Ball, the greater part of of the audience maintained a spectator status throughout the evening. The L.A. Times published a tremendous put down of the event but, to the best of our knowledge, their reviewer, Stan Bernstein, left long before the Mothers came on and the evening reached its peak. One of the more notable aspects of the evening was San Francisco light show. There will NOT be a Freak Out at the Shrine this coming weekend. Recommendation to the Times. Insist that your reviewers be responsible journalists and stay at an event more than the first half hour.

Source: Andre Mount

 
 

1966 September 2

Vol. 3 No. 35 Issue 111

 


page 6 - full page ad [blue] for Therapeutic Abortion with The Mothers
page 9 - full page ad for a Freak Out! sale at Zeidler & Zeidler's hip clothing store with calendar full of dope references

Source: slime.oofytv.set

 

1966 September 9

Vol. 3 No. 36 Issue 112

Freak Out! The Official News Of The Mothers

 

Popular Records: Pass Aspirin Please
By Pete Johnson. Source: Los Angeles Times, Calendar, August 7, 1966

The Mothers And Lenny Bruce
By Ralph J. Gleason. Source: San Francisco Chronicle, date unknown

Top Tunes
By Ronnie Oberman. Source: Washington Evening Star, date unknown

If You Get Headache...
By Loraine Alterman. Source: Detroit Free Press, July 15, 1966

Look Out Plastic People, The Mothers Have Arrived
By ?. Source: KWFB/98 Hitline, December 8, 1965

Mothers Invent Sounds Worse Than Music
By Bob Levinson. Source: Herald Examiner, date unknown

The Mothers Find A Way To Bore Nearly Everyone
By Stan Bernstein. Source: Los Angeles Times, August ??, 1966


pp 9-12 - Freak Out! The Official News of The M.O.I. , a 4-page paid advertisement [red]
p 2 - The Byrds at The Whisky A Go Go ad. Below in small letters is written "Sept. 27th - Oct. 2nd 'Suzy Creamcheese' in person"
p 13 - small article with photo collage about Pat Morgan, Dallas presenting a freak out performance at the Shrine featuring the Mothers of Invention.

Source: slime.oofytv.set 

 

1966 September 16

Vol. 3 No. 33 Issue 113

 


Freak Out Saturday (p 7):

Tickets are still available at all Mutual Agencies for Pat Morgan's huge freakout dance montage at the Shrine Auditorium this Saturday night.

Featuring the masters of the freakout, the Mothers of Invention, and seven year old dancer Gary Ferguson (who was the sensation at the recent Santa Monica "Moonfire" event), the show will also include recording artist Kenny Dino, the Count Five of "Psychotic Reaction" fame, The Factory, and the West Coast Experimental Pop Band.

Besides what is said to be the largest psychedelic liquid light show ever to be presented, the light system of the huge auditorium will be electronically controlled so that the colors will vary and change with the tones of the music.

Source: Andre Mount

 

1966 September 23

Vol. 3 No. 34 Issue 114

 


  

Source: Andre Mount

 
 

1966 October 7

Vol. 3 No. 40 Issue 116

 


 page 16 - A 'Mother' Against LSD; a letter to "Peter Stafford, and to all the other psychedelic junkies and acid heads" by Vito disciple and LA freakster Carl Franzoni. Even though Franzoni's letter may have resulted from discussions he had with Zappa, Frank was outraged that Franzoni had been referred to as a 'Mother'.

pp 9, 11 - Zappa also reacted badly to 2 other ads in this issue, one for Zeidler & Zeidler's clothing store in which a dope reference is made to The Mothers of Invention, and the ad for a Freak-In at the Shrine featuring The Mugwumps pre-Mamas & Papas, Little Gary, the Arrows, & Vito [$2.50 advance, $3.00 at the door]

Text of New LSD Law - LSD was made illegal the day before this publication full-page psych ad for The Turtles & Buffalo Springfield at the third i in Redondo Beach

ads for gigs by The Beau Brummels & The Daily Flash at the Whisky (+ 'coming the NEW sound of LOVE')

Source: slime.oofytv.set

 

1966 October 14

Vol. 3 No. 41 Issue 117

 


 pp 14-15 - The Mothers are on Fire; Two-page Freak Out! The Official News of The M.O.I., in which Zappa explains why Mothers Forced to Cancel Out the latest Freak-Out, Frank makes his riposte to the previous issue's Phony Freak-ins, Z&Z dope ads & Franzoni letter/headline, and (despite Vito originating them) claims he alone can hold Freak-Outs; designed by Zappa and featuring photo-collages of characters from the movie Freaks

page 7 - photo of Vito and his entourage

¼ -page ad for Buffalo Springfield, The Knack at the third i

article about the 'clean anti-obscenity initiative' censorship laws then being considered

review of the just held Pacific Jazz Festival

Source: slime.oofytv.set

 

1966 October 21

Vol. 3 No. 42 Issue 118

 


 page 11 - a review of one of Zappa's Freak-Outs in this issue, by their music critic

page 8 - KRLA ad for Monster Halloween Freak-Off with The Seeds (photo), Westcoast Pop Art Experimental Band, The Fabs etc [$2.50 advance, $3.00 at the door]

page 14 - Vito, Sue & Godo present a freak-out freak-in freak-up freak-down at the Hullabaloo halloween costume - mostly paint, genitals must be covered [$3.50]

Source: slime.oofytv.set

 

1966 October 28

Vol. 3 No. 43 Issue 119

 


  page 17 - Do The Mothers Play Dirty? YES! FREAK OUT! The Official News of The Mothers of Invention, in which Frank complains some more about Zeidler & Zeidler and the freak-ins and freak-offs

page 11 - ad: Zeidler & Zeidler, Mothers of Alterations proclaim The Muthuhs Can Flush It in which they lampoon Zappa (Big Ma), inviting The Mothers of Invention to play in their parking lot for free, dress up & stand in a bucket of water & ad for Therapeutic Abortion with The Mothers

Vito, Sue & Godo present ad for freakout/in at the Hullabaloo

page 8 - full-page psych ad for Monster Halloween Freak-Off with The Seeds (+ photo)

article about a bust of teens & hippies on the Sunset Strip that the L.A. Free Press asserted was staged by the police & the L.A. Times to create a story

half-page ad announcing Love's short season at the Whisky A Go Go with Arthur Lee

page 5 - ad for Tim Buckley's first album

Source: slime.oofytv.set

 

1966 November 11

Vol. 3 No. 45 Issue 121

 


page 9:

The above map and following notes were prepared by Frank Zappa of the Mothers of Invention. A larger two-color map with expanded notes has been advertised for some time in the Mother's first "Freak Out" album but this is the first time that it has achieved publication. The poster size version will be on sale soon. Zappa bears responsibility for all comments, inclusions and exclusions. Printed here as a public service.

  

Source: Andre Mount

 
 

1966 December 30

Vol. 3 No. 52 Issue 128

 

Zappa Zaps the Big Lie
Interview by Liza Williams, p 5


LIZA WILLIAMS: Do you see a political solution to what has seen happening on the Strip?

FRANK ZAPPA: What I would like to propose is another party; we have the Republican and Democratic Parties, I would like to propose the Interested Party. Posters, pins, a platform that was a little more logical than two chickens in every pot these might draw some kind of popular support from people who are interested. A platform that stood for re-evaluation of everything in the light of, in terms of, the Constitution as it stands, not as it has been diluted. OK, and temper that with certain advancements in modern technology and certain advancements in sociological fields, take into consideration where we' re really at in terms of the sexual revolution and just look at everything the way it actually is today and set it up all over again. That's your only chance to make it work. (read more)


In the same issue, page 14:

- 1951 advertisement for 'Jeris' featuring Ronald Reagan; he had just been elected governor of California and the term started that same week, that ad was probably run as a joke by the free press

- also, at the end of the Zappa interview, he rants about light shows; there's an small classified advert about 'light show manual' [send $3 to bob...]

- and last but not least, Jerry Hopkins about Vito's and Sue's son Godot, who died on December 23.

Godot Can't Come Tonight 'My Flower ... My Butterfly'
By Jerry Hopkins

Godot achieved some fame in his young, full life this past summer when he and his parents, Vito and his wife Sue, were featured in a LIFE magazine spread about the Sunset Strip. Before that, and since, Godot truly earned his little place in life by being what he was – a small man exposed to what was happening, clapping his hands at everything.

And then, before Christmas was over, there he was dead – dead at just over three years of age from a fall through a skylight.

He was, to me, a small blonde figure in hip swaddling clothes (made by Sue) popping around Vito's studio on a Friday night when Vito conducted sculpture classes, a happy child eating clay. Vito called Godot "my flower ... my butterfly."

He was a small figure at State Beach in the summer beat, nibbling at his mother's breast.

He was the reason for celebration every night of the year, but especially in early December when there were birthday parties at his home at 303 North Laurel in Hollywood.

He was the small person at the Great Underground Arts Masked Ball & Orgy who played drums with the Mothers of Invention.

He was a little man in his father's arms, hearing but not truly reacting yet to talk about the wrong in mankind being hatred and avarice and prejudice; the splendor of dancing; the immorality of the Vietnamese war; the joy of love.

He was three. He was playing on the roof with his parents nearby. There were other children and grown-ups there, waiting for a photographer to come, to take pictures for this newspaper.
Little Godot climbed onto a skylight and it collapsed. The people at the hospital said he was going to be all right. But then he died.

Clapping his hands and laughing, playing drums and eating clay, "my flower ... my butterfly died.


... Vito, in his mid-50s, was married to Sue, an ex-cheerleader more than 30 years his junior. They had a young son named Godot, who died aged three and a half when he fell through a skylight. Sue then produced a daughter called, at least for a while, Groovee Nipple. (Electric Don Quixote: The definitive Story of Frank Zappa by Neil Slaven.)

Source: slime.oofytv.set 

 

1968 June 21

Vol. 5 No. 25 Issue 205

 

Mother Is A Mother Is A Mother Is A Mother
By Gene Youngblood, p 33


 Frank Zappa makes music for the ugliest part of your body. He wants to beautify it. But you have to shovel a lot of manure to enrich a garden as barren as the conscience of contemporary America.

“I'm gonna tell you the way it is
And I'm not gonna be kind or easy
Your whole attitude stinks, I say
And the life you lead is completely empty
You paint your head
Your mind is dead
You don't even know what I just said...."

(read more)

Source: slime.oofytv.set, Charles Ulrich, Steve Hecht, Drew51

 

1969 May 16

Vol. 6 Issue 252

 


 On page 4 is "Happy The Mothers Day" ad, which later appeared in many underground papers like Berkeley Barb and The Great Speckled Bird. "Yes, Greater America may have Nixon, cold cream, and vacuum-pack lima beans, but we at Reprise are now allied with Frank Zappa and his Merry Pranksters. And from them we have a disgusting new album called Uncle Meat."

Source: Independent Voices

 

1969 August 8-14

Vol. 6 Issue 264

 

Frank Zappa ... He's Bizarre
By Paul Eberle, p 38


ZAPPA: What do you want to talk about?

PAUL: I'd like to confine it strictly to music and just talk about that; I'm not particularly interested in your high school basketball coach and all that crap.

ZAPPA: Good. (read more)

The same interview was also published in LA Star.

Source: slime.oofytv.set

 

1969 December 5

Vol. 6 Issue 281

 

Hot Rats/Frank Zappa
By David Mark Dashev, p 40


 Hot Rats/Frank Zappa/Bizarre 6356

This is the best fucking, ballsy, brilliant, ambitious, masterful, funky, down home, dynamic, motherfucker of an album I have ever heard. It is such an affirmation of Zappa’s talents as composer-arranger-musician that it should become a hallmark of contemporary classical music. By now the women and children have left the room and Frank has puked so let me tell you what to expect.

There is only one vocal on the album and it is performed by Captain Beefheart whose voice sounds like a tape of the Great Caruso gargling into a reverb on green phlem day. The remainder of the record features Zappa’s score performed with the aid of several super talents and sixteen tracks of tape. Max Bennett turns in the virtuoso bass playing of the year while soloist Jean Luc Ponty discovers new uses for the violin.

The real nocturnal emission is realized when Zappa himself solos on guitar. His ability as a player is no secret to anyone who has ever witnessed a Mothers concert but this is the first time that genius has ever been captured on record. Credited with inventing the wha-whapedal,Zappa sends forth waves of sound that arch their way though the geography of your head. His playing is compelling and as the assault mounts you find yourself totally inundated with the urgency of Sound as a concept as well as an experience.

If, as Dylan remarked, “music is the literature of today,” then Frank Zappa is James Joyce reincarnate. He is the unheralded successor to John Coltrane. Like Coltrane he has elected to dwell in abstraction and concept and through careful avoidance of the literal his music is limitless. 

Source: Independent Voices

 

1970 May 1-7

Vol. 7 No. 18 Issue 302

 


On page 15 is the ad:
ZUBIN MEHTA · FRANK ZAPPA
The Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra and The Mothers Of Invention
IN CONCERT, MAY 15, AT UCLA

Another ad on page 15 announces Geronimo Black (Formerly with the Mothers of Invention) playing in Beach House, Santa Monica.

On page 38:

ZUBIN MEHTA and FRANK ZAPPA, in concert together Fri May 15 in Pauley Pavilion of Music Center. Among works to be performed, Zappa's 200 Motels. Tickets to $6 from Music Center Box Office, 135 N. Grand; UCLA Concert Ticket Office, 1851 Le Conte, Westwood & Mutual Agencies. Info: 626-7211 or 825-2953.

Source: Independent Voices 

 

1970 August 28

Vol. 7 No. 35 Issue 319

 

Adderly blows but Zappa's at the wheel
By Nigey Lennon, p 51


 Cannonball Adderley's new album is a strange quart of grape juice. It could very well be called "199 Motels," for the strange resemblance it bears to the music of Frank Zappa and especially to his piece 200 Motels. As it is, the Adderley record is entitled Cannonball Adderley Quintet & Orchestra – a fitting title for a cheap imitation. (read more)

Source: Charles Ulrich

 

1972 August 18-28

Vol. 9 No. 33 Issue 422

Frank Jumped (Interview with Mark Volman and Howard Kaylan)
By Chris Van Ness, pp 7, 14


How two ex-Turtles left the Mothers of Invention and became the Phlorescent Leech & Eddie.

On page 14 is the Hot Rats (actually Grand Wazoo) September 10 concert ad.

Source: Independent Voices 

 

1974 November 29

Vol. 11 No. 48 Issue 541

 

Frank Zappa
By Elliot Cahn, p 6


 The interview is by Elliot Cahn, leader of Sha Na Na, who met Zappa when both bands played at the Fillmore East, November 13-14, 1970.

November 1970 – Sha Na Na was billed second to the Mothers of Invention at the Fillmore East for two nights. Knowing Zappa’s affinity for old rock ‘n’ roll, one of my guys went up to him and said, "Where’s your gold lame suit, Frank?" Frank just smiled and pointed to his forehead. (read more)

Source: slime.oofytv.set

 

1975 September 12

Vol. 12 No. 37 Issue 582

 

Frank Zappa – expecting the remarkable
By Lanny Waggoner, p 15


 "I told my wife, 'That's the best vacation I ever had!' 'Pedro's Dowry' is wonderful. It may even last as a great piece of music – and this is only the second time I've felt this way about one of my own pieces. It's got some neat things in it." (read more)

also in this issue:
- Chunky, Novi & Ernie in a small Bla-Bla Cafe ad on page 15
- the legendary 'Notes of a Dirty Old Man' weekly column by Charles Bukowski, adult section page A3

Source: slime.oofytv.set

 

1976 January 9 - 15

Vol. 13 No. 2 Issue 599

 

Zappa Returns From Yugoslavia
By Lenny Waggoner, p 12


 When last sighted, Frank Zappa and his Mothers were leaving the City of Lost Angels for an extensive U.S. tour, including a jaunt to Yugoslavia for an unprecedented appearance there. Back in town, they recently held forth at a New Year's Eve Forum show. Now it's more rehearsals, then off to Hawaii, New Zealand, Australia, Japan – and then Europe, including the land of Tito again. (read more)

Source: Independent Voices

 

1977 December 30

 

Zappa takes aim for the New Year
By M. B. Kleber, pp 15-16


When Frank Zappa takes the stage on New Year's Eve at UCLA's Pauley Pavilion, he will probably have more than music on his mind. At some time during the evening, perhaps right in the middle of "Titties and Beer," Frank will take off his guitar, grab a hand mike, and strut in his inimitable fashion to the very front of the platform. In his patented "burning bush" voice, he may tell you the story of how Howard King blatantly lied to a federal judge. Pacing back and forth he may explain about Warner Brothers records and the "brown lipstick syndrome." It is even possible that he will unveil the facts surrounding what he alleges to be the underhanded dealings of Herb and Martin Cohen. (read more)

Source: The Waldo Scrapbooks