Frank Zappa teaches Steve Allen to play The Bicycle (1963)

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  • Опубліковано 7 січ 2025

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  • @HamptonDoubledayJr
    @HamptonDoubledayJr 8 місяців тому +1851

    It's a rare treat to see a bicycle player doing an interview - they usually send a spokesperson.

  • @ZootWorld1
    @ZootWorld1 5 років тому +1802

    Weird seeing him dressed so straight-laced and clean.

    • @theconquistador8862
      @theconquistador8862 5 років тому +90

      Just Like George Carlin... he shed that skin off with a new look and long hair like a "rebel"

    • @nomadben
      @nomadben 5 років тому +76

      Crazy how much changed in five years, hard to even believe.

    • @AlisaForestHillsBrigades
      @AlisaForestHillsBrigades 5 років тому +41

      That's cause it was a time where society dress code of how and what you can be..wow I never experienced it I'm born in 76

    • @AlisaForestHillsBrigades
      @AlisaForestHillsBrigades 5 років тому +7

      @@nomadben omg I know

    • @mikoajbachosz3673
      @mikoajbachosz3673 4 роки тому +55

      @@AlisaForestHillsBrigades Early 60s were still good times when people would dress properly.

  • @mothmanghost983
    @mothmanghost983 4 роки тому +914

    The amount of control that Zappa has over this whole presentation is mind-boggling.

    • @crescentfreshbret
      @crescentfreshbret 3 роки тому +36

      A true control freak like Zappa knows how to maintain control in all situations.

    • @fullstop6078
      @fullstop6078 3 роки тому +8

      I can not agree more. F'ing wonderful

    • @crescentfreshbret
      @crescentfreshbret Рік тому +10

      @@deanronson6331 What? How’d my calling him a control freak lead you to draw those conclusions about me? Neither of those things are true at all of me! And Zappa was a notorious control freak- I’m definitely not the only person say that about him.

    • @JoeandAngie
      @JoeandAngie 8 місяців тому +2

      Riiiight

    • @stan4now
      @stan4now 8 місяців тому +7

      Control?
      More like opening our eyes, ears and mind to the world of sound and bringing it together as symphonic caucaphony.
      Pure Genius with the Muse.
      It's multi-dimensional sound out of The Twilight Zone that forms the background of the Beat Generation.
      The Mother of Invention flows with it.
      So must we.

  • @chrisfleischman3371
    @chrisfleischman3371 7 місяців тому +529

    My favorite FZ story was him on a little TV talk show hosted by Joe Pine. Pine was a veteran who lost a leg in WWII. He was known to be acerbic towards his guests from time to time to time to get a rise out of them. His prior career was as a pioneer radio ‘shock jock’.
    By the time he went on Joe Pine’s show (‘65, I think) he had long hair. As soon as he walked out on stage, Pine said “Long hair. I guess that makes you a girl”. Zappa came right back with “Wooden leg. I guess that makes you a table.”

    • @dawhoda1
      @dawhoda1 6 місяців тому +12

      From time to time to time? To time?

    • @I.M.SofaKingdom
      @I.M.SofaKingdom 6 місяців тому +91

      His last name was pine? And he had a wooden leg? 😂😂😂 That's a joke in itself!

    • @flast7845
      @flast7845 6 місяців тому +15

      Thank you for the laugh

    • @samcarson8161
      @samcarson8161 6 місяців тому +27

      I remember Joe Pyne, he definitely WAS a pioneer of "Talk Radio," for better or worse. I remember him bringing in oddball guests like American Nazis or UFO cultists. Joe fearlessly antagonized them, it was exotic & fun listening for a 9 year old listening on a transistor radio late nights circa 1967 or so.

    • @OneTrueCat
      @OneTrueCat 6 місяців тому +2

      ​@@dawhoda1sure! There were plenty of seconds where the guest wasn't introduced yet....😹

  • @dljones7
    @dljones7 7 місяців тому +385

    I watched this on TV in '63. I told my friends about it when we saw Zappa at Stonybrook (I think in '73), and was mercilessly ridiculed for making it up. So thanks.

    • @richardbailey1844
      @richardbailey1844 6 місяців тому +13

      The friends must not have been paying attention at the FZ concert then.

    • @GVanArsdale
      @GVanArsdale 5 місяців тому +20

      I'm happy you finally found redemption after 51 years.

    • @DandersonsDj
      @DandersonsDj 4 місяці тому +1

      Link this to them if they are still with us, I send things to my family and friends that have passed away all the time

    • @DandersonsDj
      @DandersonsDj 4 місяці тому

      So still do it even if they aren't still with us

    • @martinpowell5147
      @martinpowell5147 4 місяці тому +7

      Hunt down those so called friends and tell them, “I TOLD YOU SO!!!”

  • @BROCK-hq9dn
    @BROCK-hq9dn 3 роки тому +2143

    I think this young man may have a promising future in music.

  • @rhmayer1
    @rhmayer1 8 місяців тому +986

    Frank at 23, already an established pioneer of the avant-garde.

    • @stan4now
      @stan4now 8 місяців тому +26

      He took the Beat Generation to the next level.

    • @stevenroper3577
      @stevenroper3577 8 місяців тому +34

      I had no idea Zappa's legacy went back that far.... a little shocked, I must say.

    • @buddyhome4402
      @buddyhome4402 8 місяців тому +8

      @@stevenroper3577 I found this link of a video that doubles the age of this old yarn! It features a 33 year old Billy Connolly, who had just quit the "Humblebums" Folk Rock Group, in order to go solo! It's a laugh riot, that he keeps laughing at his own self: ua-cam.com/video/SzZzGxReXmo/v-deo.html

    • @migueldeniseful
      @migueldeniseful 8 місяців тому

      🪿🦆🦤🦃🦩🐧🦜

    • @nonichagnonsmith2170
      @nonichagnonsmith2170 8 місяців тому +10

      Also a creative publicist - He was thinking "How can I get the name World's Worst Sinner" out there?" Good on him! PS, I appreciate seeing the likes of FZ, George Carlin & Willie Nelson as they morphed from one decade to the next.

  • @Purplehain
    @Purplehain 8 місяців тому +687

    Being a musician means realising that everything in existence is a musical Instrument.

    • @Michael-ep1ll
      @Michael-ep1ll 8 місяців тому +9

      Easy when you get the Zappa lesson.THERE are only 8 notes to different octave same note. Because of the fact the humanoid brain can hear notes and tones inside the sounds ,tones and external noise just gets fit in. ♾️🪖

    • @donaldharris8826
      @donaldharris8826 8 місяців тому +1

      All creation can be used as a musical instrument. The 80%+ inefficient humanoid can not sense nor hear every frequency off All creation, but the 100% efficient Humanoid Spirit can Hear All of creation., for it has recorded All things ever since it was created into being until it is transitioned into something else in the future, but even if that Energy becomes nothingness, nothingness is still Somethingness even if in a State of Energy Flux for All Eternity. All Is Energy and Such Is All Energy Is Life Force Eternal !!! 👍🆒☺️🇺🇸🙏DDH 5-5-2024.

    • @SHIFTYCHEF
      @SHIFTYCHEF 8 місяців тому +1

      ....even your keister.

    • @donaldharris8826
      @donaldharris8826 8 місяців тому +2

      @@SHIFTYCHEF Exactly , All Creation !!! 👍🆒☺️🇺🇸🙏 DDH 5-5-2024.

    • @Salamander_falls
      @Salamander_falls 8 місяців тому +4

      “Everything’s a drum” -Auntie Donna

  • @althejazzman
    @althejazzman 7 місяців тому +109

    I died when the house band kept pranking Steve trying to blow through the handlebars. Such improvisation on a live show is extremely rare.

    • @NotTheBot
      @NotTheBot 6 місяців тому +7

      Love their play out to the commercial too

    • @Daniel-oh1fn
      @Daniel-oh1fn 6 місяців тому

      Letterman did plenty of gimmicky stuff

    • @Catlily5
      @Catlily5 4 місяці тому

      I thought that it was rehearsed.

  • @timherek8656
    @timherek8656 8 місяців тому +123

    I love the way Frank carried himself for his interviews. So polite in the hot seat.

    • @kirkslayden834
      @kirkslayden834 7 місяців тому +2

      Yes he was a great great man and if you haven't listened to the album apostrophe you got to hear it God bless

    • @shirleymason3853
      @shirleymason3853 6 місяців тому +2

      I agree with that too! 😂

    • @whitlowjohnonly1_2
      @whitlowjohnonly1_2 19 днів тому

      ​@@kirkslayden834
      Ain't that boogie a mess!

    • @whitlowjohnonly1_2
      @whitlowjohnonly1_2 19 днів тому

      Uncle Remus >> Stinkfoot are brilliant tracks. Highly recommended. Apostrophe & Overnite Sensation are incredible recordings.

  • @darrellminx5459
    @darrellminx5459 2 роки тому +190

    I think Frank's sence of humor was helped along by Steve. At the start of the act Frank is all humble and after 10 minutes he's going toe to toe with Steve being careful not to upstage him.

    • @Mynnia
      @Mynnia 8 місяців тому +16

      Absolutely. This is good moderation, introducing the conservative audience step by step to the thing and not playing The Authority. Giving and taking jokes, too.

    • @JBinFL
      @JBinFL Місяць тому +2

      Steve had an amazing comedy show on radio before this. Thanks to my hometown NPR station for getting to hear those.

  • @davidlindsay2436
    @davidlindsay2436 Місяць тому +20

    Here’s the value in having UA-cam clips. Thanks a million!

  • @novastar7654
    @novastar7654 8 місяців тому +708

    The fact that they let this breathe for sixteen minutes is something we just wouldn't do now.

    • @peterpiper5064
      @peterpiper5064 7 місяців тому +14

      Thank God!

    • @ALucas73
      @ALucas73 7 місяців тому +26

      Yet back then they had just a couple of stations, and now we have millions, if you count TV, cable, streaming, UA-cam, podcasts, etc.
      Joe Rogan gets hours a day to say any dumb thing.

    • @ALucas73
      @ALucas73 7 місяців тому +7

      One of my favourite documentaries is about the Beatles by Howard Goodall and they talk about classical music in the 60s and people starting to get industrial by throwing coins through piano strings and other weird stuff.

    • @peterpiper5064
      @peterpiper5064 7 місяців тому +4

      @@ALucas73 Yet oldies *will* be pining for
      The Good Old Days of Joe Rogan podcasts!

    • @maxspeed57
      @maxspeed57 7 місяців тому +3

      @@peterpiper5064 Yes and,,, no!

  • @gregorygardner9944
    @gregorygardner9944 8 місяців тому +106

    Steve Allen was hip. Paul Krassner wrote that Allen became the first subscriber to Krassner’s magazine, The Realist, in l958, and sent in several gift subscriptions, including one for Lenny Bruce. Here Allen gives Zappa, an unknown, fifteen whole minutes on his show. He must have liked him.

    • @gregorygardner9944
      @gregorygardner9944 8 місяців тому +12

      …and Jerry Hopkins, later owner of Los Angeles’ first head shop, Rolling Stone contributing editor and biographer of Elvis and Jim Morrison, was the Steve Allen Show’s producer and talent coordinator 1962-1964. So not really so weird at all to see Zappa here!

    • @sampleoffers1978
      @sampleoffers1978 7 місяців тому +5

      Letterman really did take after him looks like.

    • @daryllect6659
      @daryllect6659 Місяць тому

      @@gregorygardner9944 WoW!

  • @nmg6248
    @nmg6248 Місяць тому +14

    Steve Allen seems like he’s been completely transported out of himself and then has to come back down to host the show again 👏🏽❤️

  • @brianmonayong2769
    @brianmonayong2769 3 роки тому +376

    This video is proof that Frank Zappa is in a class all by himself.

    • @tinfoilhatter
      @tinfoilhatter 2 роки тому +6

      he could've gotten a lot more mileage outta that contraption, but he generously left it to others to do-that-dirty-work, so t'speak : smart: and very considerate, wasn't he?

    • @brianmonayong2769
      @brianmonayong2769 2 роки тому +2

      @@tinfoilhatter No doubt. 👍

    • @fatty7555
      @fatty7555 Рік тому +3

      ❤️100 percent

    • @writerpaperback6284
      @writerpaperback6284 8 місяців тому +3

      Without the four guys from England, who took us all by the hand, it was time to laugh, time to sing, time to join the band he would have a longer journey to be What he became. The Big Bang of rock and roll, the greatest show on earth showed him the way. He had very hard to admitt that later in the century and in the 1970s. The Big Bang of rock and roll turned everything up side down in a great way.

    • @judyn1647
      @judyn1647 8 місяців тому +1

      Exactly 🎉

  • @timelanguid4813
    @timelanguid4813 8 місяців тому +90

    Frank showing early that 1. Humour does belong in music and 2. He could get people to get out of their comfort zone. 3. He was steadfast in his approach trying new things. Brave guy.

    • @mikelight495
      @mikelight495 3 місяці тому +3

      he was not in it for the money.

    • @mikelight495
      @mikelight495 3 місяці тому

      his vocabulary was impeccable. he worked through censorship. e.g. using fornication instead of f****** he showed how stupid they are. it showed how mentally deficient politicians are.

  • @johnnypolo1983
    @johnnypolo1983 2 роки тому +100

    Allen’s nose improv at 7:44 actually sounds like some stuff we’ve heard on Frank’s records.

    • @krisrhodes5180
      @krisrhodes5180 2 роки тому +16

      Yeah I was waiting for Zappa to say "I can work with that"

    • @robrarker
      @robrarker 8 місяців тому +3

      "how's your bird" 🐦

    • @juana1483
      @juana1483 8 місяців тому +2

      Yah it does!!!

  • @patrickthames8853
    @patrickthames8853 8 місяців тому +346

    Frank Zappa was absolutely positively serious. This is genius because he refused to treat this as a joke. No tounge in cheek like Steve Allen was suggesting but trying to make an authentic statement. Finally towards the end Allen started to get it really started trying. This was revolutionary even today

    • @dylangatenby9928
      @dylangatenby9928 7 місяців тому +14

      That’s because Zappa had a seriously ingenious sense of mind. His genius is so abstract that only he could take something like this as seriously musical and not a foolish joke.

    • @cerealkiillar
      @cerealkiillar 7 місяців тому +10

      Zappa is definitely the DuChamp of music!

    • @samsay4700
      @samsay4700 7 місяців тому +12

      Yes, like Dylan, he was serious, but at the same time, he also was not, taking nothing from the serious. The joy is seeking the dividing line, even though it is not determinable.

    • @gerardmorris3290
      @gerardmorris3290 7 місяців тому +8

      That Steve Allen really does like the sound of his own voice and that idiotic audience would laugh at anything very very embarrassing

    • @mawi1172
      @mawi1172 7 місяців тому +4

      ​@@gerardmorris3290coming from a 'never-has-been' such as yourself; we're sure you're correct. 😢

  • @adamcrary1602
    @adamcrary1602 6 місяців тому +41

    Brilliant. Undoubtedly the best 15 min of Television in 1963.

    • @chev6art
      @chev6art 3 місяці тому

      Actually, it may be earlier than '63 if this is an episode of the Tonight Show. Steve Allen was succeeded by Jack Paar in 1957. When was "How's Your Bird?" released?

  • @fullstop6078
    @fullstop6078 3 роки тому +607

    I fucking LOVE this. The irony on display is wonderful - Allen and the audience are apparently lampooning Frank - who I have to say comes across at times as almost 'sweet' which is a word I would never ever ever ever attach to Frank hence forth - what is so lovely to see is the utter control Frank has over the entire performance - it's almost shadowing his entire future to come. He smiles, chuckles, almost obediant at times yet he makes it absolutely crytstal clear how serious he takes this whole 'thing'. I loved it when he reeled off the instruments he'd composed for. It's what I admire so so much about Frank Zappa - he is so genuine and has never deviated from his utter love and dedication to music simultaneously taking the piss out of the people that 'think' they are in control. Bloody marvellous

    • @brianmonayong2769
      @brianmonayong2769 2 роки тому +30

      You nailed it my friend. Absolutely nailed it. Nothing more needs to be said. 👍

    • @raulx.garcia9387
      @raulx.garcia9387 8 місяців тому +22

      Baloney. Steve Allen got it and fooled you.

    • @KCinTX
      @KCinTX 8 місяців тому +49

      @@raulx.garcia9387 Exactly Zappa is serious about his music but in this situation he is clearly also serious about the absurdist humor in this...and Steve Allen is totally on board with it. It's the seriousness that makes this work. It's Zappa who's having fun with the audience....they're not quite sure what to make of him, so they are feeling a little out of balance. Which I think is exactly where he wanted them.

    • @FlyGuy2000
      @FlyGuy2000 8 місяців тому +23

      I noticed his demeanor change in an instant when he was asked about the ensemble he put together; in that moment he was all business, and a consummate professional.

    • @KennyInVegas
      @KennyInVegas 8 місяців тому

      This is just as odd as Pink Floyd Umma Gumma... Zappa saw a different sound that others didnt....check out NINE SMALL SPECIES OF SMALL FURRY ANIMALS ALL GATHERED TOGETHET IN A CAVE AND GROOVING WITH A PICT....Pink floyd Umma Gumma

  • @markjulianoriginalhooli2217
    @markjulianoriginalhooli2217 8 місяців тому +463

    The only time I've ever seen Zappa laugh in public

    • @jbell6642
      @jbell6642 8 місяців тому +13

      He corpsed a few times when he was on SNL in the ‘70’s. I think it was an instalment of the Coneheads.

    • @ChicoTheMan69
      @ChicoTheMan69 8 місяців тому

      I think this kid might be on drugs. 😅 I could totally see a tweaker coming up with this orchestra.

    • @lynnehuff7059
      @lynnehuff7059 8 місяців тому +4

      ​@@jbell6642I love the Coneheads!

    • @mikes9759
      @mikes9759 8 місяців тому +7

      ​@jbell6642 Yeah Aykroyd was talking to him because he was dating his daughter Lorraine Neumann. And they talking about something and Aykroyd blurts out ZAPPA! And Frank busted out laughing.

    • @johnnymossville
      @johnnymossville 8 місяців тому +8

      I know, it was really great to see him smile and laugh.

  • @ceciliamatos3288
    @ceciliamatos3288 8 місяців тому +388

    Zappa once described music as “decorating time”. ♥️

    • @CSCoolidge
      @CSCoolidge 8 місяців тому +4

    • @Thrashsquatch
      @Thrashsquatch 8 місяців тому +8

      Perfect... love that Zappa feller!! =)

    • @ibeetellingya5683
      @ibeetellingya5683 8 місяців тому +5

      Wow. 🤔👍🙂

    • @howardhughes7596
      @howardhughes7596 8 місяців тому +12

      "You have a piece of time and you get to decorate it".

    • @vannjunkin8041
      @vannjunkin8041 8 місяців тому +2

      And that's exactly what it is and that's exactly what it does

  • @Lene61
    @Lene61 7 місяців тому +18

    What a treasure, you’ve dug up for an old Zappa fan. Thank you and love from Denmark 🥰🇩🇰

  • @NeilGraham.I.M.F
    @NeilGraham.I.M.F 8 місяців тому +56

    That is the most Zappa like thing I have ever seen

  • @jamesmcinnis208
    @jamesmcinnis208 8 місяців тому +376

    It seems that Steve Allen began to realize in this short segment how much he liked Frank Zappa and possibly how much they had in common.

    • @vonhalberstadt3590
      @vonhalberstadt3590 8 місяців тому +16

      Steve Allen was a national treasure.

    • @nancyknight2293
      @nancyknight2293 8 місяців тому +13

      I was a college student when Frank Zappa was all the rage. I loved this crazy guy!!

    • @DavidBoniface-jh1gk
      @DavidBoniface-jh1gk 8 місяців тому +5

      High school for me.

    • @randybradshaw7060
      @randybradshaw7060 8 місяців тому +9

      Two national treasures together

    • @StephenKnowles-t2r
      @StephenKnowles-t2r 7 місяців тому +1

      Anybody know if they became friends after this?

  • @teejay3272
    @teejay3272 9 місяців тому +42

    This really turned in to some FUNNY television. Steve Allen was a pioneer. Booking Frank Zappa, and his two weeks of bicycle playing, is proof. And he said it at 14:17.

  • @JMD333
    @JMD333 4 роки тому +223

    Is this possibly the earliest recorded trolling, he had the damn host blowing into a bicycle handlebar! 🤣🤣🤣

    • @richardfurness7556
      @richardfurness7556 4 роки тому +42

      He was introducing the audience to musique concrete, which I suspect the host and the resident band were well aware of.

    • @sleeve8651
      @sleeve8651 3 роки тому +40

      That, " Damn Host ", you referred to was the Late Great Steve Allen !
      A true pioneer, in many ways, to include his zany Television show, seen here !
      Opening the door for many a late night talk show, that we otherwise would likely never have witnessed !
      Mr. Allen was also brilliant in his own right, and not afraid to take chances, as demonstrated by entertaining the thought of having an unknown at the time, Frank Zappa on his show !
      Something a younger audience would likely not understand, as the World seemed a much more innocent place then, as Networks guided by the Federal Communications Commission, aka FCC, were very uptight back in the day !
      Mr. Allen was also someone that fought to keep children's programming, just that, Children's programming !
      Through his talent, and unwavering fight to move Television forward, we once had great Television !
      Yes....I said, " Once " !
      ✌️😎

    • @Margaret1448
      @Margaret1448 3 роки тому +18

      @@sleeve8651 So happy you noted this; Steve was a genius in his own right!
      Seeing these guys together is pretty amazing! 🤩

    • @pamkerr7567
      @pamkerr7567 2 роки тому +2

      @@sleeve8651 Thanks, he was great.

    • @Y-two-K
      @Y-two-K 8 місяців тому +1

      @@richardfurness7556 i think he was pranking his audience and the host with musique concrete

  • @dabigisland1
    @dabigisland1 8 місяців тому +26

    Zappa played for about 3.5 hours in Honolulu CIVIC CENTER in 1973. He kept coming back for encores.

  • @JamesVandevanter
    @JamesVandevanter 5 місяців тому +2

    😂the sound effects in film. What class , my parents made sure I saw this. Smock...smock ...smock. Frank soars through everything. Steve Allen could hang with any late nite host still standing.😊❤🔅🔆👍🐬🎸🎵

  • @kevinfiebelkorn4715
    @kevinfiebelkorn4715 8 місяців тому +84

    A once in a lifetime meeting of two of the greatest musical (and comedic) geniuses of all time. A perfect performance from start to finish.

  • @contrabbasso76
    @contrabbasso76 5 років тому +624

    “How long have you been playing bike, Frank?”
    “About two weeks.”
    That quote right there sums up FZ satire...lol

    • @christopherpetersen9956
      @christopherpetersen9956 4 роки тому +3

      😂😂

    • @ZootWorld1
      @ZootWorld1 3 роки тому +26

      I wouldn't be surprised if he was just being perfectly honest there.

    • @tinfoilhatter
      @tinfoilhatter 2 роки тому +7

      two weeks on-the-bike, and he comes up with this? incredible, yes?

    • @55mblindy
      @55mblindy Рік тому +2

      😂

    • @StrangeScaryNewEngland
      @StrangeScaryNewEngland 8 місяців тому +8

      I once saw a show where the host was about to fly in a small plane over South American jungle. He asked the non-English speaking pilot how long he's been flying for and the guy says "Two" (meaning years), but the host then asks "Two weeks?!?!" and the pilot smiles, nods, and says yes. The host's eyes bugged out. Lmao.

  • @kellyganey5032
    @kellyganey5032 3 роки тому +43

    Frank was such a likeable guy and an out of this world musician. And Steve Allen was just the BEST.
    R.I.P. Frank

    • @curbozerboomer1773
      @curbozerboomer1773 8 місяців тому +1

      I would not say that Zappa was very "likeable"...He was up in his own grill, so to speak, but that does not really matter.

  • @amandahemesath6012
    @amandahemesath6012 8 місяців тому +16

    Thank you for sharing this. I have never seen him so young and serious. Was so cool to experience him so fresh and still green.

  • @arturoalvarez_music
    @arturoalvarez_music 7 місяців тому +10

    What an artist Frank Zappa was! Such a talented musician.

  • @ddruxman3579
    @ddruxman3579 8 місяців тому +148

    That symphony was then recorded and inserted for play into every MRI machine forever more.

  • @royalspin
    @royalspin 8 місяців тому +52

    The way these two played off each other was awesome and really natural .Odd seeing Frank all clean cut and straight lace looking 😅

  • @Wise_Person
    @Wise_Person 4 роки тому +336

    seeing him without the mustache is so weird

    • @robbernath
      @robbernath 8 місяців тому +5

      And the long, hippy hair.

    • @mournblade1066
      @mournblade1066 8 місяців тому +5

      @@robbernath Eh, he wore his hair short throughout the 1980s.

    • @robbernath
      @robbernath 8 місяців тому +1

      @@mournblade1066 guess you never saw him in the late 1960s or at all during the 1970s

    • @juana1483
      @juana1483 8 місяців тому +2

      And goatee bruh????

    • @Daniel-oh1fn
      @Daniel-oh1fn 6 місяців тому +4

      Looked like Frankie Valle

  • @thistree9028
    @thistree9028 8 місяців тому +65

    How gracious they both were, and the audience! We have become a little tight arse lately.

    • @nedcramdon1306
      @nedcramdon1306 8 місяців тому

      Ya, so has my f'n boss!

    • @jethrobradley7850
      @jethrobradley7850 Місяць тому

      I have a sneaky feeling that people were actually more open minded in some ways. Certainly with television and the arts.. maybe it's because there were fewer channels and therefore people were more willing to give something quirky a chance

  • @craighansen7594
    @craighansen7594 7 місяців тому +51

    Zappa is a American treasure. I have always enjoyed his musical genius. He can make you laugh so hard you might need fresh underwear.

    • @Maxid1
      @Maxid1 7 місяців тому +2

      He's a buried treasure now.

    • @marietuller22
      @marietuller22 7 місяців тому +2

      Good old fashion humor...ty for the
      Refreshing laughter and memories how happy and joyful it was years back😂

    • @cheriezimmerman803
      @cheriezimmerman803 6 місяців тому

      😃😆😀 Absolutely!

    • @Veronica.John10-10
      @Veronica.John10-10 6 місяців тому

      An

    • @Maxid1
      @Maxid1 6 місяців тому

      @@Veronica.John10-10 Anne

  • @Ursusarctoshorribilis
    @Ursusarctoshorribilis 8 місяців тому +74

    Zappa teaching grownups how to play. Truly an under-recognized genius.

  • @Johnnynbk
    @Johnnynbk 10 місяців тому +89

    Steve allen was a pioneer in tv, much like Frank in music

  • @philipsanders9192
    @philipsanders9192 8 місяців тому +641

    Steve was one hip dude.
    He knew Zappa was for real.....

    • @stephenskinner4857
      @stephenskinner4857 8 місяців тому +25

      My parents were ex Jazz musicians that used to listen to Steve Allen and Johnny Otis in this vintage. Exposed to some non traditional stuff. Miss all of that creative and funny stuff.

    • @NelsonMontana1234
      @NelsonMontana1234 8 місяців тому +13

      Not at all. Steve was a legit musician and I think he saw Zappa as a joke -- which he basically was. He just took that silliness and developed it into a more evolved art form over the years.

    • @SimonMiles-m8l
      @SimonMiles-m8l 8 місяців тому +8

      Steve loved it... he wanted to ride his bicycle where he liked..

    • @PatrickByrne-e5v
      @PatrickByrne-e5v 8 місяців тому

      @@SimonMiles-m8l BICYCLE BICYCLE

    • @strikerorwell9232
      @strikerorwell9232 8 місяців тому +10

      Frank Zapata was amazing. The only strange fact is that all the Laurel Canyon inhabitants had families in high Military positions?

  • @scottkingsley8037
    @scottkingsley8037 6 місяців тому +9

    So cool to see a young Frank. He's a helluva straight man and so earnest at the same time. To get all those buttoned up suits to let their hair down and have fun was a marvel to watch. The audience actually loved it!

  • @corrosivecabal
    @corrosivecabal 6 місяців тому +13

    I guess you guys aren't ready for that just yet... but your kids are going to love it!

  • @axl9170
    @axl9170 3 роки тому +215

    For one brief, shining moment 58 yrs ago, a 23 yr-old Frank freaking Zappa pried open the brains of Middle America, Anywhere USA families, sitting around the B&W TV, and expanded them to infinite possibilities.

    • @XMIR10C
      @XMIR10C 3 роки тому +7

      Yes indeed, we all did the clothespin thing and blowing into the wings, not the spokes upside down

    • @MichaelLeBlanc-p4f
      @MichaelLeBlanc-p4f 8 місяців тому +7

      That was just yesterday to me. Blows me away the way time screams by while we remember the stations stopped at.

    • @salamanderbilly8266
      @salamanderbilly8266 8 місяців тому

      Yeah..... I dont think it stuck.

    • @stan4now
      @stan4now 8 місяців тому +4

      Way Cool

    • @Juliet475
      @Juliet475 8 місяців тому +10

      The fact that of ALL the musical geniuses, Frank was totally sober, and
      DID NOT like being around people who did drugs- unlike those who did and died so young. He was a devoted family man. He was a true eccentric genius, who wasn't afraid of change and discovery. Years after Frank's passing a met a cousin of his. Nicest guy, who said the passing of Frank was a great loss to the whole family. Frank graced us with his talent that will always be with us.

  • @helmanfrow
    @helmanfrow 8 місяців тому +389

    So strange seeing Frank so young and in black and white. Even stranger to realize that Steve Allen outlived him by seven years.

    • @rmp7400
      @rmp7400 8 місяців тому +15

      Zappa's genius, however...
      will far outlast Steven's...
      R.I.P., gentlemen+🙏🌹🌹

    • @kayhansen9229
      @kayhansen9229 8 місяців тому +20

      ​@@rmp7400I don't know about that Steve Allen's show was pretty good I watched him and realized what a great guy he was even when I was a teenager. And there's always reruns of TV. I know about Frank Zappa when I was a young teenager too. It seems I remember his albums as being comedy mostly for me. I can't get to hear them anymore even when I ask Google. Too bad he died of prostate cancer. I guess he didn't get tested soon enough. Such a shame. I have to admit I just like the silly stuff. Watch out where the Huskies go don't you eat that yellow snow.

    • @kayhansen9229
      @kayhansen9229 8 місяців тому +5

      ​@@rmp7400I don't know about that Steve Allen's show was pretty good I watched him and realized what a great guy he was even when I was a teenager. And there's always reruns of TV. I know about Frank Zappa when I was a young teenager too. It seems I remember his albums as being comedy mostly for me. I can't get to hear them anymore even when I ask Google. Too bad he died of prostate cancer. I guess he didn't get tested soon enough. Such a shame. I have to admit I just like the silly stuff. Watch out where the Huskies go don't you eat that yellow snow.

    • @Wilhelm-d2j
      @Wilhelm-d2j 8 місяців тому +8

      Zappa stunk, he was boring inane and produced mostly toilet humor type music.

    • @terimkel3
      @terimkel3 8 місяців тому +7

      ​@rmp7400, really, they both have contributed to pop culture. Art is subjective in all forms, so you can't compare who will "outlast" the other.

  • @michaelcap9550
    @michaelcap9550 Рік тому +334

    If there was ever anyone qualified to play the bicycle......

    • @markdinkel-uh2je
      @markdinkel-uh2je 8 місяців тому +7

      I played Playing cards clothespinned to spokes.

    • @Michael-ep1ll
      @Michael-ep1ll 8 місяців тому +6

      Zappa could play and was a Master of All Music,his take on Philosophy,his math, science knowledge was deeper than most ♾️🪖

    • @metaphoria3
      @metaphoria3 8 місяців тому +1

      Frrrr

    • @kervinbrungardt7547
      @kervinbrungardt7547 8 місяців тому +2

      Both Steve Allen and Frank Zappa were well accomplished smart asses amongst the serious stuff they did.

    • @emilyvaughan7615
      @emilyvaughan7615 7 місяців тому +1

      Great comment

  • @robertmarshall7938
    @robertmarshall7938 8 місяців тому +11

    Lucky enough to see Frank Zappa many years ago in Melbourne Australia never knew of this performance absolutely amazing love it

  • @Khristopher-f9i
    @Khristopher-f9i 7 місяців тому +10

    This is freaking awesome to see kind of the roots of Frank Zappa are you kidding me thank you so much

    • @IowaHawks875
      @IowaHawks875 7 місяців тому

      Watch out where the huskies go.
      And don't you eat that yellow snow

  • @kirby7489
    @kirby7489 8 місяців тому +537

    Kudos to Steve Allen for being open minded

    • @curbozerboomer1773
      @curbozerboomer1773 8 місяців тому +25

      Steve Allen was an important, transitional sort of well-educated, very witty and quirky entertainer, a type of "Renaissance" man, who was mostly a "1950s" kind of guy, who could see the future of social change...Much of David Letterman's type of humor, was inspired by Steve's free-wheeling approach to comedy on late night TV. He dealt in absurd, alternative, thoughtful humor, even though he was not that approving of the coming social changes. The poor guy, his beloved son joined a bizarre, pseudo-Christian-based cult in Seattle, named "The Love Israel" family. For several years, he lived under his assigned new name, Logic Israel, and was Love Israel's (the cult leader, who-guess what--convinced over 500 people that he was the latest Jesus incarnation) "right-hand man". Eventually, Steve's son realized the scam element, and left the cult. Love Isreal himself, eventually left his own group of followers, became a banker of sorts, and died a few years ago, from Prostate cancer. Apparently, he was just another "mortal" person, just like the rest of us! Steve Allen himself, died at age 72, a few years ago, after having been in a moderate car accident, that soon after, caused him to have a heart attack. Very strange.

    • @kleenmaint
      @kleenmaint 8 місяців тому +14

      @@curbozerboomer1773 I miss Steve Allen.

    • @brucetowell3432
      @brucetowell3432 8 місяців тому +9

      Well remember Steve had Elvis on his show and also Jerry Lee Lewis. Although Steve was a traditional jazz pianist, he wrote I believe over a thousand songs!!! Also believe he was self taught, wrote hundreds and hundreds of books, as well... very intelligent...he also claimed he needed 11 hours of sleep every day!

    • @rmp7400
      @rmp7400 8 місяців тому +2

      Allen humiliated Elvis -or...tried to...

    • @cronos1.2_sqrt5.2
      @cronos1.2_sqrt5.2 8 місяців тому +1

      I think he knew what he was doing.

  • @conradgaarder2789
    @conradgaarder2789 8 місяців тому +214

    From playing a bicycle to
    WEASELS RIPPED MY FLESH

    • @migueldeniseful
      @migueldeniseful 8 місяців тому +3

      Um dos 78 discos fantásticos de Frank Zappa: 'WEASELS RIPPED MY FLESH' = 'UM ESQUILO CORTOU MINHA CARNE'... Onde ele aproveitou estes primeiros sons e arranjos de improviso...

    • @dbfisher
      @dbfisher 7 місяців тому +2

      Yes! I have had and enjoyed this record for more than 50 years wondering how he made those sounds.

    • @hondolane3125
      @hondolane3125 6 місяців тому +1

      Let's not forget that all-time classic: "Why Does it Hurt When I Pee?"

  • @BeeKay5150
    @BeeKay5150 5 років тому +250

    To think, this was the early days of a genius. Who knew we'd be getting something as awesome as "Shiek Yerbouti" out of this guy.

    • @itsnotthesamething
      @itsnotthesamething 5 років тому +15

      Have you heard the album, "How's Your Bird"? Or some of the dozens of albums he released? Shiek Yerbouti was one of the first I heard. I was dropping acid when I heard that album. I thought I would die, laughing! I don't do drugs anymore. But still enjoy Zappa.

    • @BeeKay5150
      @BeeKay5150 5 років тому +8

      @@itsnotthesamething there's still so much Zappa I haven't heard. I'm working on it!

    • @itsnotthesamething
      @itsnotthesamething 5 років тому +7

      @@BeeKay5150 He has a pretty impressive list! Some of the stuff he's done sounds just like this bicycle ensemble. Some of his stuff is difficult to listen to, because it is so different. But every bit of it is deliberate. I have heard from folks ho played for him say he is a perfectionist, and will freak if someone gets a note out of place! It makes you think about what is music. I honestly can say I hate most rap music, but all my young friends, and a few of my older friends like it. So who am I to say what music is? I hope you enjoy everything you hear from Zappa. Some is hilarious, and some is really out there!

    • @dgwristen
      @dgwristen 4 роки тому +9

      i remember watching this with my father when i was a kid , little did i know frank would go on to a very successful music career. there was , and never will be another FRANK ZAPPA , a true genius

    • @fullstop6078
      @fullstop6078 3 роки тому +5

      Funnily enough, when you watch this clip and you are a life long fan of Frank it seems almost 'obvious' that he will produce the uncannilly huge musical repetiore that he did. The guy never fucking changed. He didn't have his moustache in this clip and that was about it. I have never seen ANYONE so utterly consistent in their approach/character/manarisms/verbal response etc etc. in their career.
      I am not in general a bloke that idolises anyone and I sometimes question my love/obsession with Frank Zappa but to be fair to myself, I watch this clip and I know why!!

  • @JoshuaPaulHollenbeck
    @JoshuaPaulHollenbeck 7 місяців тому +28

    one thing if anything that I learned from Frank , was to " watch out where the huskies go and dont you eat that yellow snow..."
    Frank Zappa Forever.

    • @kirkslayden834
      @kirkslayden834 7 місяців тому +4

      Yeah that was on the apostrophe album that was absolutely 8:32 my favorite and I have the CD he was such a brilliant man God bless his soul in Jesus name amen

    • @josephhaas7636
      @josephhaas7636 7 місяців тому +2

      Going to Montana soon...😂😂😊. almost accomplished at being a dental floss millionaire, just have to get off my pygmy pony and give my foot a push . Me and Suzy cream cheese forever 😂. Is that a real poncho or a sears poncho,? HMM NO FOOL IN ' BUT WAIT I'VE GOT THE CRYSTAL BALL!!! .......😂😂😂..

    • @johnnywinter8892
      @johnnywinter8892 Місяць тому

      Yes, but he missed out on one important thing... Why does it hurt when I pee? 😎

  • @taylortroney4173
    @taylortroney4173 6 місяців тому +4

    There will never be another like him.
    I like the fact that the band continued Franks montage into the commercial break…

  • @cgs-xi4bt
    @cgs-xi4bt 8 місяців тому +121

    The best ad lib by Steve Allen occurred at 13.30 in the middle of the ' Zappa Concerta 'with his instant genius lyric "Ruth rode on my cycle car, on a seat in back of me. I took a bump at 95, and rode on 'Ruthlessly'..."
    Pure brillance!

    • @tomboughan2718
      @tomboughan2718 8 місяців тому +7

      Even had Frank Zappa laughing at that.

    • @jladdyost
      @jladdyost 8 місяців тому +7

      two brilliant men at once

    • @louiswilson6950
      @louiswilson6950 8 місяців тому +15

      It's an old Limerick !

    • @alfreeman7257
      @alfreeman7257 8 місяців тому +10

      It started a little clunky with SA poking fun a FZ nudging the audience with a comment and a jibe...but FZ stayed calm and in control effortlessly.... and in the end Allen was the one being lampooned ...which showed a level of intelligence and performing skill that FZ showed throughout his all too brief career! On show here are two great showmen from very different sides of entertainment! Great to see.

    • @volpeverde6441
      @volpeverde6441 6 місяців тому

      'there was no reply....
      because Ruth was gone....'
      TITTIES AND RUTH....

  • @FrankBenlin
    @FrankBenlin 8 місяців тому +72

    We miss you, Frank.
    I play the spokes whenever I replace one to check for the right tension.

  • @MandolinRich
    @MandolinRich 2 роки тому +42

    SA: "so how long have you been playing the bicycle?"
    FZ: "2 weeks"

    • @timeno1763
      @timeno1763 8 місяців тому +1

      Almost an overnight sensation.

    • @juana1483
      @juana1483 8 місяців тому

      Chirp chirp

  • @pipreynolds123
    @pipreynolds123 7 місяців тому +9

    Zappa is a musical genius and he is one of the very few that could tour with 120 orchestra members and director them musical, He's definitely the Mozart of our times!

  • @thankyouforyourcompliance7386
    @thankyouforyourcompliance7386 8 місяців тому +7

    That this show was actually done it amazing. Kudos to the presenter.

  • @mandyjourneaux6552
    @mandyjourneaux6552 8 місяців тому +80

    brilliant! thankyou so much! Frank Zappa, short hair and a suit and tie, who would have thought it!

    • @robscoggins
      @robscoggins 8 місяців тому +4

      He wore it well though.

    • @1deadhead
      @1deadhead 8 місяців тому

      Ya, that really blew my mind !

    • @mandyjourneaux6552
      @mandyjourneaux6552 8 місяців тому

      @@1deadhead me too!

    • @Daniel-oh1fn
      @Daniel-oh1fn 6 місяців тому

      Ever see George Carlin early days perform ing?

  • @jerryg50
    @jerryg50 4 роки тому +90

    I remember seeing this show on TV. This feat of Frank Zappa playing music on a bicycle was done by him before he became a famous musician.
    Back then nobody realized some years later Frank Zappa would become one of the greatest rock stars ever!

  • @riandraegon556
    @riandraegon556 8 місяців тому +21

    I had a band in the early 80’s and for a very short while I had a clever lad playing with us who played nothing but toy instruments. He got some really cool sounds out of them

  • @theseustoo
    @theseustoo 8 місяців тому +10

    Wow! A young Frank Zappa with NO MOUSTACHE!!! And he was just as weird back then as he ever was! What a classic video! 😁

    • @Daniel-oh1fn
      @Daniel-oh1fn 6 місяців тому

      I thought he was pretty laid back and normal in this video

  • @crearteur
    @crearteur 8 місяців тому +4

    Great art ... having succeeded in finding people who considered something like this worth to be presented in a TV show.

  • @thezenitsufan1249
    @thezenitsufan1249 4 роки тому +146

    And to think just three years later he would release Freak Out with the Mothers of Invention

    • @bazookajoethompson3407
      @bazookajoethompson3407 8 місяців тому +5

      With a little help from his friends...

    • @agbobier2657
      @agbobier2657 8 місяців тому +1

      I can't get my head around this straight smiley chatty guy and the Frank Zappa who seemed so stern while music I grew up with. WOW!

  • @kristykanen9315
    @kristykanen9315 8 місяців тому +41

    I adored Steve Allen , & Frank Zappa ! ❤

  • @finster1968
    @finster1968 2 роки тому +46

    Wow look how far back this genius goes! I didn’t know he was already making a name for himself in the early 60’s. Sure do miss him.

    • @curbozerboomer1773
      @curbozerboomer1773 8 місяців тому +1

      Zappa was a child of the 1950s...and was exposed to the good and the bad of that musical time period...he then proceeded to blaze his own trail!

  • @B-RadYo
    @B-RadYo 3 місяці тому +4

    This video is my new obsession. I love Zappa and had no idea this existed....

  • @caroleann_2142
    @caroleann_2142 8 місяців тому +8

    Frank & I share a Birthday 12/21 He was a highly intelligent man & musician.❤

  • @JackpineGandy
    @JackpineGandy 3 роки тому +46

    Zappa is playing it straight and laughing up his sleeve, the whole time...great prankster

    • @KCinTX
      @KCinTX 8 місяців тому +3

      100%!! Exactly!! I commented on another thread (that thought Steve and audience were "lampooning" Zappa ...laughing at his expense.) I totally disagreed!!
      Zappa is serious about his music but in this situation he is clearly also serious about the absurdist humor in this...and Steve Allen is totally on board with it. It's the seriousness that makes this work. It's Zappa who's having fun with the audience....they're not quite sure what to make of him, so they are feeling a little out of balance. Which I think is exactly where he wanted them.)

  • @brendonpayne4583
    @brendonpayne4583 8 місяців тому +53

    Really nice to see FZ laughing and joking in a lighthearted manner. His demeanor seems quite different in this early television appearance. Often, he seemed distrustful of interviewers, but looks to be okay with Mr. Allen.

  • @therealsegue185
    @therealsegue185 4 роки тому +52

    I love this. Frank is a master. He never let anyone stand in his way and he alwAys knew what he wanted. Bob Marley also had that determination, be serious be clear be present and be ready to change the world.

  • @dimitriostheodorides1580
    @dimitriostheodorides1580 7 місяців тому +8

    I dont like zappas music but i ABSOLUTELY ADMIRE HIS GENIUS. ❤❤❤ GUY was unwavering and amazing

  • @violetdreams1799
    @violetdreams1799 4 місяці тому +1

    i watched Steve Allen, great show.. this with Frank is incredible!

  • @wolftracks9010
    @wolftracks9010 3 роки тому +79

    Frank Zappa.....
    Rock's closest thing to a true renaissance man, a true Artist. He has been acclaimed as a genius for his versatility. He was a brilliant guitarist, a superb composer, a matchless bandleader, a movie producer, a record company executive, a human rights activist and an incomparable social satirist. He started out in the 60's as the leader of the zany avant-rock pioneers the Mothers. His subsequent solo work encompassed everything from jazz-rock to orchestral pieces, always delivered with Zappa's trademark humor. He succumbed to cancer in 1993, but the mind-boggling prolific workaholic left behind a staggering body of work. Genius is an overused word in music, but it applies to Zappa in spades.

    • @brianmonayong2769
      @brianmonayong2769 Рік тому +5

      Well said man. 👍

    • @musoandafan965
      @musoandafan965 8 місяців тому +2

      But before all that he played a bi-cycle

    • @wassupnomesayin
      @wassupnomesayin 8 місяців тому +1

      Which explains why his most famous and highest chart-topping contribution to music was his teenage daughter Moon Unit's creation "Valley Girl." Yeah, what a "genius!" Depending on your kid to make you famous. Lol.

    • @gregquinn5474
      @gregquinn5474 7 місяців тому +4

      ​@@wassupnomesayin
      He was the mikes Davis of the West Coast dude. You were nobody in progressive rock until you sat with zappa. He made amazing music and discovered legends like jean luv pointy, George duke, Lenny Bruce, and Steve Vai. You're inability to absorb the music isn't the fault of the art or the artist. Think of it like a fighter jet, just bc you don't know how to fly it doesn't make it a bad piece of machinery. Open you're mind bro, there's a whole world outside that rock you're under

    • @wassupnomesayin
      @wassupnomesayin 7 місяців тому +1

      @@gregquinn5474 Says the guy who only pretends to like Zappa because he thinks it's "hip." I'm guessing you smoke cigarettes to look "cool" as well. And it's "your" mind not "you're." How about learning some grammar if you want to appear to be intelligent. It helps. Also stop using the words "bro" and "dude." Truly smart people don't do that.

  • @Hillers62
    @Hillers62 8 місяців тому +80

    Zappa became a musical genius...even writing classical pieces...he left us too soon...

    • @wassupnomesayin
      @wassupnomesayin 8 місяців тому

      I "totally" agree. "Valley Girl" is 100% genius. But that wasn't him, it was all due to his teenage daughter. She's the one who provided him with his most famous piece of work and his highest charting song. As far as creativity, where can you go but down from there?! Maybe he should have consulted her on more projects. "Gag me with a spoon!"

    • @tomvesely4008
      @tomvesely4008 7 місяців тому

      ​​@@wassupnomesayin If you measure musical originality by the numbers of records sold then Zappa doesn't score high.

    • @timbetts3647
      @timbetts3647 7 місяців тому +2

      ​@@tomvesely4008indeed but doesn't that mean that the majority don't appreciate really good music.
      I mean today, Tayla Swift is the next massaia. She'll be Shania twain by next week.
      Listen to " we're only in it for the money "
      Still my favourite zappa album.
      'Apostrophe ' A close second.

    • @Daniel-oh1fn
      @Daniel-oh1fn 6 місяців тому

      ​@@tomvesely4008so that thinking makes the Monkees original? Because they sold millions of records?,Van Gogh didn't sell many paintings while he was alive.

  • @dawnbirbeck1505
    @dawnbirbeck1505 3 роки тому +28

    I used to whistle through my bicycle handlebars. If only I'd tried to get on television life could have been so different. You had to apply just the right air pressure, though. Too much and they just hissed. You could suck, too, and the sound would be different, but I don't really want to go down that road.

  • @ClarkEdgeworth
    @ClarkEdgeworth 5 місяців тому +2

    I miss them both, and am so grateful for the invention of UA-cam, one of the greatest inventions of all time. My Mother and I spent many hours enjoying the genius and mad humor of Steve and Frank. Don't eat yellow snow! And the Danube Isn't Blue It's Green da da da, Spike Jones once said!

  • @elizabethgaspodnetich4322
    @elizabethgaspodnetich4322 6 місяців тому +1

    It is hard to believe that he was actually young once! Just look at him! All done up for tv!! I started listening to Zappa's music in the 70's and that was an awesome thing!! Still have some of his music in my collection!

  • @footsolutions4989
    @footsolutions4989 4 роки тому +108

    I was 18 when they did this piece of art.......Zappa was just insane (in a good way) and Steve Allen was the best host ever of any Late Show (and even more insane in a very good way). I've gotta find more Steve Allen

    • @sexicherrypepsi2510
      @sexicherrypepsi2510 4 роки тому +2

      Wht is yur name supposed to mean lol

    • @shuttlewerks1
      @shuttlewerks1 2 роки тому +9

      I remember Steve dressed up as a tea bag and went outside the studio and a crane dunked him in a large tea cup. Once he had cream pies for the audience and they had a giant pie fight. Sometimes he would just invite the audience to get up and go out for a walk outside the studio. On warm California nights he would at times leave his desk and go out in front the studio with a microphone and talk to LA crazies passing buy or just comment on things.. Such an entertaining show. Allen, such a gifted nut. He made television. He could have been a close friend to Zappa. They had the same intellect and mindset.

    • @michaelchapman4955
      @michaelchapman4955 2 роки тому +7

      & a talented composer, arranger & Jazz pianist complementing Steve's off-the-wall comedy on the corner of Sunset Blvd & N Bronson Ave, My Grandparents & My dad's old LA, Hollywood neighborhood

    • @curbozerboomer1773
      @curbozerboomer1773 8 місяців тому +3

      @@shuttlewerks1 You nailed it!...I am so happy to see how these two talented men really hit it off! It is inspiring to me, actually!

  • @thesoundsmith
    @thesoundsmith 8 місяців тому +50

    Zappa before "Zappa." Stockhausen influenced _klangfarben_ stuff (noise as music,) but what's amazing - this bit is SIXTEEN MINUTES LONG on 1963 TV! Bravo , Steve Allen, I knew you were a great musician, but I didn't think you had it in ya to go avant-garde. Wonder how many viewers changed the channel... 🙄

    • @stan4now
      @stan4now 8 місяців тому +1

      Danke du klangfarben.

    • @edh9237
      @edh9237 8 місяців тому +3

      Fox News would have said, "We only have 30 seconds, but could you play "IN A GADDA DA VIDA"?

    • @thejerseyj5479
      @thejerseyj5479 7 місяців тому

      ​@@edh9237😆

  • @michaelkrempler6303
    @michaelkrempler6303 8 місяців тому +9

    Thank you very much for this inetresting fact of Frank Zappas life.

  • @TheProhetess
    @TheProhetess Місяць тому +2

    My father had an Art Gallery on Vine street and I remember Steve Allen theater, 1960's

  • @yeastofthoughtsmind9623
    @yeastofthoughtsmind9623 3 роки тому +49

    It's interesting how similar this little piece is to some of the work that came out at the end of Zappa's life. The chaotic nature of this experiment calls to mind Zappa's explorations into the world of the synclavier on "Jazz from Hell" and "Civilization Phaze III".

    • @XMIR10C
      @XMIR10C 3 роки тому +2

      eclectic jazz

    • @dressedtosmellgood
      @dressedtosmellgood Рік тому +2

      he did this sort of thing throughout his entire career. he was a careful study of stockhausen, varese, boulez etc.

    • @kelechi_77
      @kelechi_77 Рік тому +1

      he does play the bicycle a few times on "We're Only in It For the Money"

  • @glenndespres5317
    @glenndespres5317 8 місяців тому +26

    Had I seen this in 63, I would at least have had an idea of the craziness to come. That said, Zappa was intellectually way ahead of his time.

  • @ElectraGlide-Joe
    @ElectraGlide-Joe 8 місяців тому +56

    This is great TV😂
    RIP FRANK AND STEVE ✌🏻💜🙏🏻

  • @cittadino23
    @cittadino23 7 місяців тому +2

    quality TV, something from another era

  • @nolangoldberger2921
    @nolangoldberger2921 6 місяців тому +1

    This is awesome footage. Funny to see him in a suit talking like I always remembered. Mellow, funny and a great sense of humor.

    • @Daniel-oh1fn
      @Daniel-oh1fn 6 місяців тому

      Checkout George Carlin early performance

  • @pheresy1367
    @pheresy1367 8 місяців тому +8

    What a GEM!!! I had no idea this existed! Thank you.

  • @micahsuboat1233
    @micahsuboat1233 7 місяців тому +17

    I have not a clue who Frank Zappa is, but I will now I am about to research and watch a whole bunch of videos i’m intrigued

    • @Daniel-oh1fn
      @Daniel-oh1fn 6 місяців тому +4

      An artist way ahead of his time. Enjoy your reading about Zappa

    • @SexySadie-w6g
      @SexySadie-w6g 3 місяці тому

      Kudos to you, for your open mind!

    • @silverzales1980
      @silverzales1980 3 місяці тому +1

      Bro you will not know what’s happening, no performance is the same, no solo to a song the same everything is a first time... he creates as he goes, quite amazing enjoy the journey shit gets weird..

  • @ramiroalvarez5397
    @ramiroalvarez5397 8 місяців тому +4

    The early Frank Zappa music was creative with funny HUMOR! Cool 😎 too Steve Allen.

  • @kilcar
    @kilcar 4 місяці тому +1

    Phi Zappa Krappa. We miss him, he passed on far too soon. Respectfull nods to Dweezill and Moon Unit. Your dad was a great musician and artist. I miss him greatly

  • @Eric-lw8te
    @Eric-lw8te 7 місяців тому +2

    "One more time...!"
    (GONG!!)
    Boy, that got me 🤣🤣🤣🤣
    Comedy Gold!! Thank you for this!

  • @danmasters1568
    @danmasters1568 8 місяців тому +13

    Two weeks playing the bicycle and he was already a virtuoso! 😂

    • @timeno1763
      @timeno1763 8 місяців тому

      Almost an overnight sensation.

  • @jimmyjennings4089
    @jimmyjennings4089 8 місяців тому +6

    Can you imagine owning one or both of these famous bikes that Mr. Frank Zappa played on the Steve Allen show?

  • @musicauthority674
    @musicauthority674 7 місяців тому +5

    You gotta love Frank Zappa. and especially here a very young Frank Zappa. his brutal honesty was so AWESOME. and he was so humble here. these are the traits that he always had. it's no wonder why he was such an amazing musician.
    Steve Allen was the precursor to Johnny Carson on the Tonight Show. and also had very interesting guests on the show.

    • @5400bowen
      @5400bowen 6 місяців тому

      Jack Paar was between Carson and Allen.

  • @guidorigatti4433
    @guidorigatti4433 5 місяців тому +1

    Bravo! Frank was incredible! The conductor too. 1963,... Unbelievable!!!

  • @MPT-qf1zk
    @MPT-qf1zk 8 місяців тому +2

    Watched on our B&W TV - at 4! The bike caught my eye. I didnt know all the words. Zappa struck me as nice, soft spoken, unique. My young mom watched TheTonight Show, before Johnny!

  • @joycejean-baptiste4355
    @joycejean-baptiste4355 8 місяців тому +4

    Well, this young man is obviously a genius. What an act! The bicycle has another use, genius. Thanks for sharing. I love it.