Rock and Pop: A posthumous 70th birthday celebration of US guitar legend Frank Zappa - Roundhouse
Published: 11 November 2010
by ALAN STAFFORD
HE may be no longer with us, but the spirit of Frank Zappa was felt in every corner of the Roundhouse for its three-day posthumous celebration of his 70th birthday.
Giant album covers carpeted the walls, and towering above everything was his unmistakable moustache, on posters, pictures, and attached to the faces of some gig-goers.
Saturday saw Frank’s son Dweezil play Zappa senior’s classic album Apostrophe in full.
A blend of rock, jazz and whimsical satire, it’s one of Zappa’s most accessible albums, but still a ferocious musical workout. Dweezil is an even better technical guitarist than his late father. At times the effect was that of a superior tribute act, note-perfect but inevitably lacking the personality who first spun the musical madness into gold. But there was plenty to enjoy, including Frank’s daughter Moon Unit making a surprise appearance for Valley Girl.
Best of all were the moments when Frank himself appeared on a 20ft screen, an immortal rock colossus in live footage of vintage concerts with the live band as accompaniment. On songs like Montana and Cosmic Debris his charisma was still electric and it was almost – almost – like he was back.