This is the transcription of a recorded interview with Frank Zappa conducted sometime in 1978 by Jerry Kay . This interview was sent to me on tape by my Deutsche Friend, Georg Deppe (whom I humbly thank for the pleasure thereof, and look forward to further correspondence).
Jerry Kay:
Did you fade out a couple of songs with "Oooooh-la-LA-la"?
Frank Zappa:
I think everything has to fade out with "Oooooh-la-LA-la". If
you're going to fade out, you have to fade out with those words
because those are the magic words. There are three or four really
important words that happen in rock and roll and other types of music
that normal people like to listen to. "Oooooh-la-LA-la" considered as
one hyphenated word, would be one of the important words, and the
other thing that you definitely gotta watch out for are the three
other important magic words that make radio stations go off the air.
But we won't discuss them right now. Those are the most powerful words
in America today, that's why we have such a wonderful place to live
in.
Now, I'm here to play an album for you and I'm rapping... well.. rapping is one of those words that you say when you go on rock and roll radio stations... I'm rapping a little bit at this point to prepare each and every one of you for the grand and glorious experience of getting your little cassette machines out BECAUSE I would like to have you tape-record this album off the air BECAUSE this album is not going to be available in the stores BECAUSE Warner Brothers is trying to RUIN MY DARN CAREER.
Jerry Kay:
Tell us what happened, as far as why this record is not being
released and how come.
Frank Zappa:
Well, it's not very simple to explain but I'll make a stab at it,
and I don't really believe that people want to listen to a bunch of
legal crud on the radio, but it's kinda unavoidable. Warner Brothers
does not have the rights to this material although it was delivered to
them and they refused to pay me for the material. And so I claimed a
breach of contract and set out to negotiate with some other record
companies. In several instances, Warner Brothers interfered with those
negotiations and spoiled the possibility of releasing this material
elsewhere.
The first place they did it was with EMI, and the second place they did it was with Mercury Phonogram, and Mercury Phonogram was enough into the deal where they had made test pressings - they were ready to press the album, the cover was printed and so on and so forth. What you're listening to now is actual test pressings of the album that Mercury Phonogram had prepared. At the last minute, Warner Brothers threatened them with legal proceedings and blah, blah, blah, and so they backed out of the deal. And the way it stands now, my future as a recording artist is dangling in midair pending court procedures, which in California for civil cases can take anywhere from 3 to 5 years just to get a day in court and have your case heard.
Since I don't think that anybody wants to wait 3 to 5 years to hear my wonderful music...
Jerry Kay:
Hear, hear.
Frank Zappa:
I have taken it upon myself to come down here and advise anybody
interested in the stuff that I do to get a cassette machine, and tape
this album - you can have it for free, just take it right off the
radio. Y'know, don't buy it - TAPE IT.
(Presumably after the album has been played on the air)
Frank Zappa:
This has been Frank Zappa as temporary bogus disc jockey playing
The Leather Album for you and now I'm gonna say goodbye. Thanks a lot
for letting me come down here and do it.
Jerry Kay:
Thanks, it was an absolute joy.
Frank Zappa:
Well, I don't know about that, come on now. That's probably more of
my music that has been played on the radio in one blast.... I mean
that's gotta be the world's record. You probably lost all of your
listeners, they're all seeking elsewhere for the safety pin through
the cheek music.
Jerry Kay:
I think they want to hear side 9.
Frank Zappa:
They do? (laughs). Well, since there is no side 9, since Warner
Brothers has seen to that, we're going to leave you with GOODBYE.
Jerry Kay:
Again, thank you very much. I hope you have enjoyed this, I know
you have and, uh, ta-ta.