Zappa the Hard Way

by Andrew Greenaway

'Zappa The Hard Way' is the story of Frank Zappa's last ever world tour that ended in mutiny. In 1988 Frank Zappa toured with a twelve-piece band that had rehearsed for months, learned a repertoire of over 100 songs and played an entirely different set each night. It is why, in Zappa's own words, it was "the best band you never heard in your life" - a reference to East Coast American audiences who never got the chance to see this particular touring ensemble. Zappa appointed bass player Scott Thunes to rehearse the group in his absence. In carrying out this role, Thunes was apparently abrasive, blunt and rude to the other members and two factions quickly developed: Thunes and stunt guitarist Mike Keneally on the one side; the remaining nine band members on the other. The atmosphere deteriorated as the tour progressed through America and on to Europe. Before leaving Europe, Zappa told the band that there were ten more weeks of concerts booked in the USA and asked them: "If Scott's in the band, will you do the tour?" With the exception of Keneally, they all said "no". Rather than replace Thunes, Zappa cancelled almost three months of concerts and never toured again - claiming to have lost $400,000 in the process. 'Zappa The Hard Way' documents that tour. If you think touring can be fun, think again! Yes there were groupies and the usual paraphernalia associated with rock 'n' roll, but there was also bitterness and skulduggery on a scale that no one could imagine. Author Andrew Greenaway has interviewed the surviving band members and others associated with the tour to unravel the goings on behind the scenes that drove Zappa to call a halt to proceedings, despite the huge personal financial losses. This paperback edition includes a foreword by Zappa's sister Candy, and an afterword by Pauline Butcher, Zappa's former secretary and author of 'Freak Out! My Life With Frank Zappa', 'Zappa The Hard Way' might just be the best book you've never read in your life!

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Biography

214 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Andrew Greenaway was born in Orpington, Kent, in 1958. He edits the UK’s only Frank Zappa website (www.zappanews.co.uk) and has curated eleven Zappa-themed albums for Cordelia Records.

As well as writing Zappa The Hard Way (2010), The Beatles... The Easy Way (2014), Frank Talk: The Inside Stories Of Zappa’s Other People (2017), FZ88: A Visual Documentary of Zappa's Final Tour (2019) and The Zappa Tour Atlas (2019) for Wymer Publishing, Andrew has contributed to 1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die (Octopus Books, 2010), We Are The Other People - 25 Years Of Zappanale (Wehrhahn Verlag, 2014) and The Greatest Albums You'll Never Hear (Octopus Books, 2014).

He also helped ‘ghost’ Anton Johnson's autobiography King Of Clubs (Grosvenor House, 2012) and is currently working on The Zappa Tour Atlas with Mick Zeuner and Klaus Kühner (slated for publication in September 2019) and a Zappa fan scrapbook.

Andrew was one of the key contributors to ZappaCast - The Frank Zappa Podcast (http://www.zappa.com/zappacast) and now co-hosts Andrew & Lee’s Music Emporium on SoundCloud (https://soundcloud.com/andrew-greenaw...). He also co-organises Festival MOO-AH, a biennial celebration of Zappa’s music and more in Corby, and is an auxiliary member of the Zappa Early Renaissance Orchestra.

Andrew has three children, two cats, one wife, and lives with them near the Thames Delta in deepest, darkest Essex. Aside from his family and music, his other interests include the Marx Brothers, Woody Allen, Kurt Vonnegut, Chelsea FC, Speedway GP, Coronation Street and having a laugh.

Reviews

[Paul Dembina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Difficult to rate given that although not full of deep insights it does shed light on goings on during Zappa's final tour in '88 with The Best Band You Never Heard In Your Life.

If you are already aware of the break up of that tour and want to know more then this book is for you - otherwise probably not.

[Sean · Rating 2 out of 5]

If, like me, you're a Zappa fan interested in the amazing band he put together for his last tour and how that band tore itself apart, thus ending the tour early, this might be a book to read. It contains much interesting info, and any number of amusing anecdotes. But it's written so poorly I'm amazed it exists in book form. It reads like an unedited blog post by a non-writer.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Zappa Fan Must

Within these pages is what is no doubt the quintessential historical document of Frank Zappa's final tour. The only thing I would change is the editing - I found the first half of the book a bit disjointed, but the content was compelling and this is a must read for any Zappa aficionado.

[Person · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fine book full of tons of info, clearly a lot of work went into it, though it seems there's no definitive answer to the main question of what broke up the band other than lots of members just being dicks to each other all the time, some more than others. Could also have done without the occasional tidbits about the author himself. In my opinion, not really worth reading to find out what exactly happened, not because it's not good or anything, but because there aren't really any big revelations to be gleaned that won't be found from just cursory skimming on forums, blogs, and interviews you can easily google. I wanted more definitive answers about what broke up the 1988 band after doing that, but this book just basically matches what I found from those, just with more minor anecdotes.

[Shawn Persinger · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of a 2.5-2.75. Fine but little better than a fanzine article.

[Justin Sarginson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't even try this book unless you are familiar with Frank Zappa and his music.
For me this was refreshing honest and real, no false hero worshiping here. The various accounts pull the story of this infamous tour together, packed full of information and insights I was unaware of, provided by people who were actually there.
I was slightly worried that this would turn into a fan fest, punctuated by anal fans with their quotes and encyclopaedic knowledge, but instead I got a refreshing and very interesting story. However, if you aren't aware of Frank and his music, this probably isn't the best place to start.

[Andy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is a prime example of the perils associated with owning a Kindle. I had just finished a book on Zappa that left me wanting to learn more. Unfortunately, there were limited options available for download and I settled. While "Zappa the Hard Way" offers a realistic behind-the-scenes look at a touring band, it was a little too inside baseball for my liking. While hardcore Zappa geeks might appreciate background on the vaious set lists and road testing of material, I found these sections a bit sluggish. I'll eventually read the biography "Zappa" by Barry Miles and call it a day.

[Jean-Louis Brunet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strictly for Zappa fans

It's a very entertaining book. Although I've considered myself a fan since the seventies, I really missed many of the details given here. Now adding the YouTube videos if said shows and streaming these late albums sent me right back then. Great little read.

[Brandon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I happened to see FZ at the Towson University show on his last tour detailed in this book. It was quite the musical education! The author here presents a well-researched account and gives voice to many of the musicians involved. This truly was "the best band you never heard"!

[Simon Sweetman · Rating 4 out of 5]

a good read, an examination of the tough last Zappa tour; the bitching and fighting, the great playing, that strange master that was FZ

[Dave Capers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting look at the inner workings of a terrific but short-lived musical ensemble. I saw one of the Beacon Theater shows from this tour and the book brought back good memories.