TERRY BOZZIO DISCUSSES ZAPPA PLAYS ZAPPA

Frank Zappas original drummer, Terry Bozzio, talks about Dweezil Zappa honoring of his late father with Zappa plays Zappa.

Rock n Roll’s most eclectic composer guitarist, Frank Zappa, was revered around the world for his intricate songs, stunning list of musical talent and original songwriting skills, and he was honored in 2006 with Zappa Plays Zappa Tour De Frank. The tour, which was critically acclaimed, was put together by Frank’s son Dweezil Zappa and legendary Zappa alumni including Steve Vai, Terry Bozzio, and Napoleon Murphy Brock. The tour kicked off in Europe and also revived Franks legendary Halloween Shows in New York. It also gave Zappa fans an opportunity to hear these songs in a live environment once again.

We caught up with Terry Bozzio at his recent Rockwalk induction to discuss being a part of Dweezil’s Zappa Plays Zappa tour and Dweezil’s musical growth.

“It’s fantastic, Dweezil is honoring his father and he’s really stepped up. It took him like two years to reinvent his guitar playing in order to accomplish playing Frank’s music. Now he’s actually playing parts that Frank wrote for vibraphone or marimba that weren’t designed to be played on guitar, and it’s so difficult to play on guitar and he’s doing it and really shining. So, I’m very proud of the way Dweezil has grown up and taken responsibility to do this. Also I’m very grateful that i can play with Napoleon and Steve and all the guys in the new group because they’re all great great musicians.”

So what was it about Frank that made him not only an one of a kind amazingly technical musician, but one of the worlds most eclectic band leaders and composers?

“Frank had ten talents that he was so good at, he could’ve made a career and been famous in any one of them, but he had all ten. One of them was him as a band leader, he could play for the band and we could learn things by ear, just with him pointing at people, you know like a keyboardist would pick a note. You do this, you do that. He was amazing at that and he could write full orchestral scores and compose music that was extremely difficult and challanging, like ‘The Black Page.’ I’ve gotten to do my share of great stuff and I’ve learned so much from Frank and to be honest with you no one would know or care who I am if it wasn’t for my affiliation with Frank.”

Bozzio, after having his legendary career honored by Hollywood’s Rockwalk will take over the drumming duties for Korn because their original drummer David Silveria has taken a hiatus. Although no tour dates for 2007 have been announced for Zappa Plays Zappa, due to the success of their last tour more dates are not out of the question.