FZ chronology

1965

Early 1965	Village Inn & Barbecue Sun Village, CA FZ—guitar Jim Sherwood—sax Johnny Franklin—bass Toby—drums Cora—guest vocalist	The Village Inn [68] Steal Away (Hughes) [68]
March 25, 1965	Studio Z, Cucamonga, CA FZ—acoustic guitar Bobby Saldana—bass Les Papp—drums	GTR Trio [75] Bossa Nova Pervertamento [68]
March 26, 1965	FZ and Lorraine Belcher arrested in Cucamonga
spring 1965	County Jail, San Bernardino FZ spends 10 days in Tank C
c. April, 1965	The Broadside, Pomona The Soul Giants: Ray Collins—vocals FZ—guitar David Coronado—sax Roy Estrada—bass Jimmy Carl Black—drums
April, 1965	Rehearsals at Studio Z
c. April-May, 1965	Captain Glasspack & His Magic Mufflers: Ray Collins—vocals FZ—guitar Roy Estrada—bass Jimmy Carl Black—drums
May 9, 1965	The name of the band is officially changed to The Mothers
Spring-Summer, 1965	The Mothers: Ray Collins—vocals, tambourine FZ—guitar, vocals Roy Estrada—bass, vocals Jimmy Carl Black—drums, vocals
c. May, 1965	The Broadside, Pomona, CA	Louisiana Blues (aka Original Mothers at The Broadside) (Morganfield) [68]
c. 1965	unknown venue (prob. The Broadside, Pomona, CA) FZ—guitar, vocals Ray Collins—vocals, tambourine, harmonica Roy Estrada—bass, vocals Jim Black—drums	My Babe (Medley/Hatfield) [72] Wedding Dress Song (Trad.) [72] Handsome Cabin Boy (Trad.) [72] Hitch Hike (Stevenson/Paul/Gaye) [72]
c. May, 1965	FZ moves to 1819 Bellevue Ave, in the Echo Park section of Los Angeles
c. May, 1965	Del Kacher's Studio, LA Florence Marly—vocals Del Kacher—guitar, bass FZ—drums, orchestration	Space Boy (Marly)
c. May, 1965	FZ buys a Gibson E5 Switchmaster
1965	Mondo Hollywood Party Hollywood, CA (with Herb Cohen attending)	Party Scene From Mondo Hollywood [68]
1965	Alice Stuart (guitar) joins The Mothers and then quits
October 1, 1965	Herb Cohen hired officially as Personal Manager
October 31, 1965	The Action, Los Angeles, CA John Wayne—guest
November 15, 1965	Henry Vestine (guitar) officially joins The Mothers
November 15, 1965	The Mothers associate officially as musical group with FZ as leader
	The Mothers: Ray Collins—vocals, tambourine FZ—guitar, vocals Henry Vestine—guitar Roy Estrada—bass, vocals Jimmy Carl Black—drums, vocals
c. 1965	unknown studio FZ—guitar, vocals Ray Collins—vocals, tambourine Henry Vestine—guitar Roy Estrada—bass Jimmy Black—drums	Motherly Love [72] Plastic People (Berry/FZ) [72] Anyway The Wind Blows [72] I Ain't Got No Heart [72]
November, 1965	Whisky à Go-Go Los Angeles, CA (with Tom Wilson attending)	Trouble Every Day
December 15, 1965	Run Home, Slow premiere

1966

January 31-February 2, 1966	The Trip Los Angeles, CA Henry Vestine quits and Jim Guercio (guitar & vocals) joins the band to quit soon
early 1966	Seward St. Studio Los Angeles, CA FZ—guitar, vocals Ray Collins—lead vocals Roy Estrada—bass, vocals Jim Black—drums, vocals	Original Mothers Rehearsal [68] How Could I Be Such A Fool? [68]
c. 1965-66	unknown studio FZ—guitar(s), lead vocals Ray Collins—lead vocals Roy Estrada—bass Jim Black—drums	I'm So Happy I Could Cry [72] Go Cry On Somebody Else's Shoulder (FZ/Collins) [72] How Could I Be Such A Fool? [72] Watts Riot Demo/Fillmore Sequence (studio parts) [78] I'm Not Satisfied I Ain't Got No Heart
early 1966	In no particular order, Ray Collins quits; Steve Mann (guitar) joins and leaves; Elliot Ingber (guitar) joins and Ray Collins returns
Spring-Summer 1966	The Mothers: Ray Collins—vocals, tambourine FZ—guitar, vocals Elliot Ingber—guitar Roy Estrada—bass, vocals Jimmy Carl Black—drums, vocals
March 1, 1966	The Mothers sign with Verve/MGM
March 9, 1966	T.T.G. Studios, LA Produced by Tom Wilson Engineers: Ami Hadani & Tom Hidley FZ—guitar, vocals Ray Collins—vocals Elliot Ingber—guitar Roy Estrada—bass Jim Black—drums + Eugene Di Novi—piano Gene Estes—percussion Neil Le Vang—guitar	Any Way The Wind Blows [01] [78] [79] Hungry Freaks, Daddy [01] [06] [78] [79] [92] Who Are The Brain Police? [01] [06] [78] [79] [92] You're Probably Wondering Why I'm Here [01] [06] [78] [79] [92] Go Cry On Somebody Else's Shoulder [01] [78] [79] Wowie Zowie [01] [78] [79] [AAAFNRAAAAAM] Trouble Every Day [01] [78] [79] [92] Motherly Love [01] [78] [79]
March 10, 1966	T.T.G. Studios, LA Produced by Tom Wilson Engineers: Ami Hadani & Tom Hidley FZ—guitar, vocals Ray Collins—vocals Elliot Ingber—guitar Roy Estrada—bass Jim Black—drums + John Rotella—clarinet, sax Kurt Reher—cello Raymond Kelley—cello Paul Bergstrom—cello Emmet Sargeant—cello Joseph Saxon—cello Edwin V. Beach—cello Arthur Maebe—French horn, tuba George Price—French horn John Johnson—tuba? Carol Kaye—12-string guitar Virgil Evans—trumpet David Wells—trombone Kenneth Watson—percussion Gene Estes—percussion Eugene Di Novi—piano Plas Johnson—sax, flute	I'm Not Satisfied [01] [78] [79] You Didn't Try To Call Me [01] [78] [79] I Ain't Got No Heart [01] [78] [79] How Could I Be Such A Fool [01] [78] [79]
March 11, 1966	T.T.G. Studios, LA Produced by Tom Wilson Engineers: Ami Hadani & Tom Hidley FZ—guitar, vocals Ray Collins—vocals Elliot Ingber—guitar Roy Estrada—bass Jim Black—drums + Gene Estes—percussion	Any Way The Wind Blows (overdubs) [01] [78] [79] You Didn't Try To Call Me (overdubs) [01] [78] [79] I Ain't Got No Heart (overdubs) [01] [78] [79] How Could I Be Such A Fool (overdubs) [01] [78] [79]
March 12, 1966	T.T.G. Studios, LA Produced by Tom Wilson Engineers: Ami Hadani & Tom Hidley FZ—guitar, vocals Ray Collins—vocals Elliot Ingber—guitar Roy Estrada—bass Jim Black—drums + Gene Estes—percussion + Carl Franzoni—voice Vito—voice Kim Fowley—vocals David Anderle + Motorhead Sherwood—noises Mac Rebennack (aka Dr John)—piano Paul Butterfield Les McCann—piano Jeannie Vassoir—voice	Help, I'm A Rock [01] [78] [79] It Can't Happen Here [01] [06] [78] [79] [92] The Return Of The Son Of Monster Magnet [01] [78] [79] Brown Shoes Don't Make It (It Can't Happen Here early title?) One For Parker Army Since Cisos
c. March 9-12, 1966	T.T.G. Studios, LA FZ—guitar Ray Collins—vocals Elliot Ingber—guitar Roy Estrada—bass Jim Black—drums	Groupie Bang Bang [79]
April 1, 1966	Tommy Flanders T.T.G. Studios, LA FZ Armand Kaproff—cello Harold Schneier—cello Gerald Wiggins—piano James Gordon—drums Lou Morell—guitar David Wells—trumpet, trombone Johnny Rotella—c. bass flute, sax	Friday Night City (aka Motown) (Flanders) Reputation (Hardin)
April 7-16, 1966	Da Swamp, Waikiki, Hawaii
June 9, 1966	Burt Ward T.T.G. Studios, LA Produced by Tom Wilson Arranged by FZ Dennis Budimir—guitar Elliot Ingber—guitar Eugene DiNovi—piano James Zito—French horn, trumpet George Callender—tuba Plas Johnson—sax Justin Gordon—b. clarinet, clarinet Benjamin Barrett—cello Roy Estrada—bass Jimmy Black—drums	Boy Wonder I Love You Gotta Fall In Love (I Love)
June 10, 1966	Burt Ward T.T.G. Studios, LA Produced by Tom Wilson Arranged by FZ Dennis Budimir—guitar Elliot Ingber—guitar Lou Morell—guitar William Pitman—guitar Eugene DiNovi—piano Anthony Terran—trumpet John T. Johnson—tuba Plas Johnson—sax Jack Nimitz—b. clarinet, clarinet Frederick Dutton—contra bassoon, bassoon Benjamin Barrett—cello Kenneth Watson—tympani, traps, mallets John Guerin—drums	Orange Colored Sky (DeLugg/Stein) Teenage Bill Of Rights (John/Regan) Variant I (The Comedian) Tears Come From Loving You
June 21, 1966	Bobby Jameson H & R Studios, LA Produced by Norm Ratner Arranged by FZ Bobby Jameson—vocals Louis Morell—guitar Robert West—guitar, bass Carol Kaye—guitar FZ—lead guitar Lawrence Knechtel—piano Gene Estes—drums, tympani John Guerin—drums	Gotta Find My Roogalator (R. P. Jameson) Girl From The East (R. P. Jameson)
June 25, 1966	Fillmore Auditorium, San Francisco, CA (opening for Lenny Bruce) Recording engineer: John Judnich	Another Pickup [04] The Downtown Talent Scout [58] Band Introductions from The Fillmore West [68] Plastic People [68] Watts Riot Demo/Fillmore Sequence (live parts) [78] Motherly Love [79] You Didn't Try To Call Me [79] I'm Not Satisfied [79] Hungry Freaks, Daddy [79] Go Cry On Somebody Else's Shoulder [79]
June 27, 1966	The Mothers Of Invention Freak Out! (2LP, Verve/MGM V/V6-5005-2)
June 29, 1966	The Mothers Of Invention How Could I Be Such A Fool? / Help, I'm A Rock, 3rd Movement: It Can't Happen Here (7", Verve VK 10418)
July 4, 1966	The Animals T.T.G. Studios, LA Produced by Tom Wilson Arranged by FZ William Roberts—guitar Lawrence Knetchel—organ Carol Kaye—guitar John Guerin—drums	The Other Side Of This Life (Fred Neil; arr. by FZ) All Night Long (FZ)
July, 1966	FZ meets Gail Sloatman
August 8, 1966	Bobby Jameson Gotta Find My Roogalator (R. P. Jameson) (7", Penthouse 503)
August 18, 1966	The Factory Studio Audition	Hey Girl (George) Changes (George/Klein) Candy Cane Madness (George/Klein)
	Denny Bruce (drums) joins The Mothers and quits some time later
August 25, 1966	Billy Mundi (drums) officially joins The Mothers
	Elliot Ingber is fired
	Del Kacher (guitar) joins the Mothers for some gigs
	Van Dyke Parks (electric harpsichord) plays in and out
c. September, 1966	The Mothers Of Invention: FZ—lead guitar, vocals Ray Collins—vocals, tambourine Del Kacher—guitar Van Dyke Parks—keyboards Roy Estrada—bass, vocals Jimmy Carl Black—drums, vocals Billy Mundi—drums
	Don Preston (keyboards) joins The Mothers
	Jim Fielder (guitar) joins The Mothers
	Bunk Gardner (woodwinds) joins The Mothers
Fall 1966-Winter 1967	The Mothers Of Invention: FZ—lead guitar, vocals Ray Collins—vocals, tambourine Jim Fielder—guitar Don Preston—keyboards Bunk Gardner—woodwinds Roy Estrada—bass, vocals Jimmy Carl Black—drums, vocals Billy Mundi—drums
Fall 1966	The Factory Original Sound, LA Produced by FZ Lowell George—lead vocals, rhythm guitar, dulcimer & percussion Warren Klein—lead guitar & guitars Martin F. Kibbee—bass Richie Hayward—drums, percussion & bg vocals + FZ—piano, prepared piano & bg vocals	Lightning-Rod Man (George/Kibbee) The Loved One (George/Kibbee)
November 14, 1966	The Mothers Of Invention Trouble Comin' Every Day / Who Are The Brain Police? (7", Verve VK 10458)
November 14, 1966	Burt Ward Boy Wonder I Love You / Orange Colored Sky (DeLugg-Stein) (7", MGM K 13632)
November 15, 1966	T.T.G. Studios, LA Produced by Tom Wilson	Status Back Baby [02] Plastic People [02] [06] [92] Son Of Suzy Creamcheese [02] Garbage Eaters (The Duke Of Prunes) [02] [06]
November 16, 1966	T.T.G. Studios, LA Produced by Tom Wilson	Remember (Amnesia Vivace) [02] [06] No Regrets (America Drinks) [02] Call Any Vegetable [02] [06] Send Santa Claus Back To The Rescue Mission (Uncle Bernie's Farm) [02]
November 17, 1966	T.T.G. Studios, LA Produced by Tom Wilson	If You Like Chickens (prob. Toads Of The Short Forest)
November 18, 1966	T.T.G. Studios, LA Produced by Tom Wilson Jim Getzoff—violin Marshall Sosson—violin Alvin Dinkin—viola Armand Kaproff—cello Don Ellis—trumpet John Rotella—contra-bass clarinet	Brown Shoes Don't Make It [02] [06] [92]
November 21, 1966	The Animals Animalism (LP, MGM E/SE-4414) including: The Other Side Of This Life (Fred Neil) & All Night Long (FZ) arranged by FZ
c. November 21-25, 1966	MGM Studios, NYC	Absolutely Free [02] re-mix & edition
November 26-December 31, 1966	Balloon Farm, NYC

1967

January 7-21, 1967	New Penelope, Montreal, Canada
c. January 7-21, 1967	National Film Board Of Canada, Montreal, Canada FZ—lead guitar Ray Collins—? Jim Fielder—guitar? Don Preston—keyboards Bunk Gardner—woodwinds Roy Estrada—bass Jimmy Carl Black—drums Billy Mundi—drums, percussion	Ride For Your Life (Original Soundtrack)
February 13, 1967	Capitol Studios, LA, CA Produced by Nick Venet Jim Helms—guitar Paul Smith—piano Bob West—bass Jimmy Bond—bass Kenneth Watson—tympani, mallets Thomas Poole—percussion Johnny Guerin—drums	Sunday (prob. Oh No)/How Did That Get In Here? [04] [85]
February 17-19, 1967	Fillmore Auditorium, San Francisco, CA Jim Fielder's last known gig with The Mothers
March-August, 1967	The Mothers Of Invention: FZ—guitar and vocals Ray Collins—vocals and tambourine Don Preston—keyboards Bunk Gardner—woodwinds Roy Estrada—bass and vocals Jimmy Carl Black—drums Billy Mundi—drums
March 6, 1967	T.T.G. Studios, LA, CA	Why Don'tcha Do Me Right? [02] Dilemma (Big Leg Emma) [02] Fillmore (Who Needs The Peace Corps?) [03] Electric Banana (Absolutely Free)
March 14-16, 1967	Capitol Studios, LA, CA Produced by Nick Venet Sid Sharp—contractor, conductor, violin (15-16) Tommy Tedesco—guitar, percussion Al Viola—guitar (14-15) Dennis Budimir—guitar (14, 16) Tony Rizzi—guitar (15-16) John Balkin—bass Bob West—bass Lyle Ritz—bass (14) Chuck Berghofer—bass (15) Jimmy Bond—bass (16) Mike Lang—piano (14) Lincoln Mayorga—piano (15-16) Jimmy Zito—trumpet Arthur E. Briegleb—French horn (14) George F. Price—French horn (14-15) David A. Duke—French horn (15) Arthur Maebe—French horn (16) Vincent De Rosa—French horn (16) Kenneth Shroyer—trombone (14-15) Lew McCreary—trombone (16) Ted Nash—woodwinds John Rotella—woodwinds Bunk Gardner—woodwinds Jules Jacob—woodwinds (14) Gene Cipriano—woodwinds (15-16) Don Christlieb—bassoon Tibor Zelig—violin (15-16) Ralph Schaeffer—violin (15-16) William Kurasch—violin (15-16) Phillip Goldberg—viola (15-16) Leonard Selic—viola (15-16) Arnold Belnick—violin (15-16) Harry Hyams—viola (15-16) Joseph DiFiore—viola (15-16) Jerome A. Kessler—cello (15-16) Joseph Saxon—cello (15-16) Jesse Ehrlich—cello (15-16) Leonard Malarsky—violin (15) Harold Ayres—violin (15) Jerome J. Reisler—violin (15) Raymond J. Kelley —cello (15) Alexander Koltun—violin (16) Bernard Kundell—violin (16) James Getzoff—violin (16) Harold G. Bemko—cello (16) Emil Richards—percussion (14) Gene Estes—percussion (14-15) Victor Feldman—percussion (15-16) Alan Estes—percussion (16) Frankie Capp—drums (14) Shelly Manne—drums (15-16)	Lumpy Gravy [04] We're Only In It For The Money (orchestral parts) [03] Unit 3A, Take 3 [85] Unit 2, Take 9 [85] Section 8, Take 22 [85] Unit 9 [85]

March 23-September 5, 1967
Garrick Theatre, NYC

April 10, 1967	The Mothers Of Invention Why Don't You Do Me Right / Big Leg Emma (7", Verve VK 10513)
June 26, 1967	The Mothers Of Invention Absolutely Free (LP, Verve V/V6-5013)
summer 1967	Sandy Hurvitz (vocals, piano) joins The Mothers as special guest in the Garrick Shows
c. July, 1967	Ray Collins quits
c. July, 1967	Ian Underwood (keyboards/woodwinds) joins The Mothers
July 18, 1967	Photo session for the We're Only In It For The Money cover
July 21, 1967	Mayfair Studios, NYC Engineered by Gary Kellgren	Valerie [87]
July 24, 1967	Mayfair Studios, NYC Engineered by Gary Kellgren	Stuff Up The Cracks [05] [87] [87]
August 7, 1967	Frank Zappa Lumpy Gravy (LP, Capitol STAO-2719) —withdrawn—
summer 1967	Interview with Matty Biberfeld WRVR, New York City, NY	"Dope Fiend Music" [79] "Poop Rock" [79] "Machinery" [79] "Psychedelic Money" [79]
August 2-9, 1967	Mayfair Studios, NYC Engineered by Gary Kellgren	We're Only In It For The Money (basic sessions) [03] The Big Squeeze [64] Dense Slight [85] Intelligent Design [85] Lonely Little Girl (Original Composition—Take 24) [85] Absolutely Free (Instrumental) [85] Harry, You're A Beast (Instrumental) [85] What's The Ugliest Part Of Your Body? (Reprise/Instrumental) [85] Idiot Bastard Snoop [85] The Idiot Bastard Son (Instrumental) [85] "The World Will Be A Far Happier Place" [85] Lonely Little Girl (Instrumental) [85] Mom & Dad (Instrumental) [85] Who Needs The Peace Corps? (Instrumental) [85] "Really Little Voice" [85] Take Your Clothes Off When You Dance (Instrumental) [85] Lonely Little Girl—The Single [85] "In Conclusion" [85]
September 8, 1967	Mayfair Studios, NYC	Creationism [85]
c. September, 1967	Motorhead (baritone sax/percussion) becomes an official Mother
c. September, 1967	Ray Collins returns
September, 1967	FZ marries Gail Sloatman

September 23-October 2, 1967
1st European Tour

	The Mothers Of Invention: FZ—guitar and vocals Ray Collins—vocals and tambourine Don Preston—keyboards Ian Underwood—keyboards and woodwinds Bunk Gardner—woodwinds Motorhead—baritone sax Roy Estrada—bass and vocals Jimmy Carl Black—drums Billy Mundi—drums
September 23, 1967	Royal Albert Hall, London, UK	Louie Louie (At The Royal Albert Hall in London) (Berry) [07]
September 28, 1967	Moon Unit Zappa is born
September 30, 1967	Konserthuset, Stockholm, Sweden	BTB I: 'Tis The Season To Be Jelly [B16]
October 1, 1967	Falkoner Theatret, Copenhagen	Ian Underwood Whips It Out (from King Kong) [07] Where's Our Equipment? [58]

October-December, 1967
East Coast

	Ray Collins quits?
October, 1967	Apostolic Studios, NYC Engineered by Dick Kunc	We're Only In It For The Money (final sessions) [03] including: Who Needs The Peace Corps? [03] [92] Concentration Moon [03] [92] Mom & Dad [03] [92] Bow Tie Daddy [03] [92] What's The Ugliest Part Of Your Body? [03] [92] Let's Make The Water Turn Black [03] The Idiot Bastard Son [03] [06] Mother People [03] [06] Theme From Burnt Weeny Sandwich (basic track) [09] Dense Slight [85] N. Double A, AA [85] Lonely Little Girl—The Single [85]
October, 1967	Apostolic Studios, NYC Engineered by Dick Kunc Louis Cuneo—voice Roy Estrada—voice Motorhead—voice	Lumpy Gravy [04] Beat It With Your Fist [33] Civilization Phaze III [63]
October, 1967	Apostolic Studios, NYC Engineered by Dick Kunc Spider Barbour—voice John Kilgore—voice Monica—voice	Lumpy Gravy [04] Beat It With Your Fist [33] Porn Wars [44] [92] Civilization Phaze III [63]
October, 1967	Apostolic Studios, NYC Engineered by Dick Kunc Gilly Townley—voice Maxine—voice Becky—voice Larry Fanoga—voice	Lumpy Gravy [04] Beat It With Your Fist [33] Civilization Phaze III [63]
	Don Preston quits and returns a week later Ray Collins returns?
October-December, 1967	Apostolic Studios, NYC	Uncle Meat sessions [07]
November, 1967	FZ appears on Monkees series and film Head
November 13, 1967	Mixed Media, Detroit, MI	"Psychedelic Music" [79] "MGM" [79] "Psychedelic Upholstery" [79]
November 13, 1967	WDET, Detroit, MI	"How We Made It Sound That Way" [79] "That Problem With Absolutely Free" [85]
November 20, 1967	The Mothers Of Invention Lonely Little Girl / Mother People (7", Verve VK 10570)
late 1967	West Village, NYC, NY	"What The Fuck's Wrong With Her" [85]

1968

early 1968	Billy Mundi quits to join Rhinoceros
February 24, 1968	Colgate University, Hamilton, NY First gig of Art Tripp (drums/percussion) with The MOI
early 1968	Apostolic Studios, NYC	Uncle Meat sessions [07] Dog Breath [single version] The Dick Kunc Story [64] Cops & Buns [64] Dwarf Nebula Processional March & Dwarf Nebula [10] Oh No [10] Wedding Dress Song/Handsome Cabin Boy [64] [68] Agency Man (studio version) [68]
early 1968	Apostolic Studios, NYC	Cruising With Ruben & The Jets [05] Greasy Love Songs [87]
March 4, 1968	The Mothers Of Invention We're Only In It For The Money (LP, Verve V/V6-5045)
1968	Art Tripp—percussion Ruth Komanoff—percussion	Uncle Meat [07]
April 19, 1968	Fillmore East, NYC	Original Mothers at Fillmore East [68]
May 3, 1968	The Dog, Denver	Little House I Used To Live In [B23] Whät [B23] Trouble Every Day [B23] English Tea Dancing Interludes [B23]
May 13, 1968	Frank Zappa Lumpy Gravy (LP, Verve V/V6-8741)
May 18, 1968	'The 1968 Pop Festival' Gulfstream Park, Hallandale, FL	King Kong VI [07]
June 4, 1968	RCA Studios, Hollywood Grace Slick—vocals FZ—leader Ian Underwood—piano & woodwinds Don Preston—keyboards Art Tripp—drums & percussion	Would You Like A Snack? (FZ/Slick) [Jefferson Airplane Jefferson Airplane Loves You (1992)]
c. June, 1968	T.T.G. Studios, LA Produced & engineered by FZ Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band: Captain Beefheart—woodwinds, harmonica, vocals Zoot Horn Rollo—guitar Antennae Jimmy Semens—guitar Gary Marker—bass Drumbo—drums	Moonlight On Vermont (Vliet) [Trout Mask Replica] Veteran's Day Poppy (Vliet) [Trout Mask Replica]
July 23, 1968	Whisky A Go Go, LA	God Bless America (live at the Whisky A Go Go) [07] Meow [58]
c. August 14-15, 1968	Ray Collins quits
August 25, 1968	Kerrisdale Arena, Vancouver, BC	Road Tapes, Venue #1 [93]
1968	Sunset Studios, LA Art Tripp—percussion (overdubs)	Uncle Meat [07] Wild Man Fischer An Evening With Wild Man Fischer Enigmas 1 Thru 5 [94]
September 10, 1968	Sunset Studios, LA	My Head? [58]
1968	KPFK studios, LA	Mothers at KPFK [68]

September 27-October 28, 1968
2nd European Tour

	The Mothers Of Invention: FZ—guitar and vocals Don Preston—keyboards Ian Underwood—keyboards and woodwinds Bunk Gardner—woodwinds Motorhead—baritone sax Roy Estrada—bass and vocals Jimmy Carl Black—drums and vocals Art Tripp—drums and percussion
September 28, 1968	Grugahalle, Essen, Germany	King Kong [B23]
October 9, 1968	Wild Man Fischer The Circle (Fischer) / Merry-Go-Round (Fischer) (7", Bizarre/Reprise 0781)
October 20, 1968	Concertgebouw, Amsterdam, Netherlands	Dog Breath [B23] A Pound For A Brown (On The Bus) [B23]
c. October, 1968	Trident Studios, London, UK	Envelopes
October 25, 1968	Royal Festival Hall, London, UK	Prologue [61] Progress? aka Don Interrupts [61] [68] Like It Or Not aka Piece One [61] [68] The Jimmy Carl Black Philosophy Lesson aka Jim/Roy [61] [68] Holding The Group Back aka Jim/Roy [61] [68] Holiday In Berlin [61] [68] The Rejected Mexican Pope Leaves The Stage aka Piece Two [61] [68] Undaunted, The Band Plays On aka Piece Two [61] [68] Agency Man [61] [68] Epilogue [61] [68] Prelude to The Afternoon of A Sexually Aroused Gas Mask [10] Uncle Meat (One Note At A Time) Son Of Prelude to The Afternoon of A Sexually Aroused Gas Mask Oh, In The Sky Lecture from Festival Hall Show [68] King Kong [61] Help, I'm A Rock [61] Transylvania Boogie [61] Pound For A Brown [61] Sleeping In A Jar [61] Let's Make The Water Turn Black [61] Harry, You're A Beast [61] [68] The Orange County Lumber Truck Part 1 [61] Oh No [61] The Orange County Lumber Truck Part 2 [10] [61]

November 8-December, 1968
West Coast

	The Mothers Of Invention: FZ—guitar, vocals Lowell George—guitar, vocals Don Preston—keyboards, electronics Ian Underwood—keyboards, alto sax Motorhead—baritone sax Bunk Gardner—tenor sax Buzz Gardner—trumpet Roy Estrada—bass, vocals Jimmy Carl Black—drums Art Tripp—drums, percussion
November 8, 1968	Cal State Fullerton Gymnasium, Fullerton, CA Wild Man Fischer—guest vocals	BTB II: Our Man In Nirvana [B26]
December 2, 1968	The Mothers Of Invention Cruising With Ruben & The Jets (LP, Bizarre/Verve V/V6-5055)

1969

January-May 24, 1969
West & East Coast

January 31, 1969	WMEX, Boston	"Serious Fan Mail" (parts) [87]
February, 1969	Criteria Studios, Miami, Florida	My Guitar Wants To Kill Your Mama (basic track) [10] Right There (Estrada/FZ) (parts) [58] German Lunch [58] Chucha [68] You Never Know Who Your Friends Are [94] including Harmonica Fun [68]
February 7-9, 1969	Thee Image, Miami, Florida	Toads of The Short Forest (second half) [10] Chocolate Halvah (George/Estrada/FZ) [58] Right There (Estrada/FZ) (parts) [58] No Waiting For The Peanuts To Dissolve [58] Underground Freak Out Music [58] a.k.a. Black Beauty [68]
February 14, 1969	McMillin Theater, Columbia University, NYC	You Call That Music? [57] Charles Ives [58] Here Lies Love (Martin/Dobard) [58] Run Home Slow: Main Title Theme [58] The Little March [58] Proto-Minimalism [58] There Is No Heaven From Where The Slogans Go To Die [94]
February 16, 1969	The Ballroom, Stratford, Connecticut	Let's Make The Water Turn Black [51] Harry, You're A Beast [51] The Orange County Lumber Truck [51] Sweet Leilani (Harry Owens) [51] Oh No [51] Skweezit Skweezit Skweezit [68] aka Squeeze It, Squeeze It, Squeeze It [94]
February 17, 1969	Lenny Bruce The Berkeley Concert (2LP, Bizarre/Reprise 2XS 6329)
February 21, 1969	The New School, NYC, NY	Lumpy Gravy "Shuffle" [85] "Serious Fan Mail" (parts) [87]
February 21, 1969	Fillmore East, NYC	Are You Upset? [57] FZ/JCB Drum Duet [58]
February 28, 1969	The Factory, the Bronx, NYC	Get A Little [10] Plastic People [51] Tiny Sick Tears [57] Where Is Johnny Velvet? [58] Return of The Hunch-Back Duke [58] Trouble Every Day [58]
March 2, 1969	Philadelphia Arena, Pennsylvania	Didja Get Any Onya? [10]
1969	Zappa Basement, LA Don Van Vliet—vocals FZ—guitar, bass? Winged Eel Fingerling—guitar Drumbo—drums	Alley Cat (Van Vliet/FZ) [64]
1969	Don Van Vliet—vocals	I'm A Band Leader [64] The Grand Wazoo (vocal track) [64]
March, 1969	Entrada Drive, Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California Produced by FZ Engineered by Dick Kunc Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band: Captain Beefheart—woodwinds, harmonica, vocals The Mascara Snake—clarinet Zoot Horn Rollo—guitar Antennae Jimmy Semens—guitar Rockette Morton—bass Drumbo—drums	Trout Mask Replica (house sessions)
March, 1969	Whitney Studios, Glendale, California Produced by FZ Engineered by Dick Kunc Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band: Captain Beefheart—woodwinds, harmonica, vocals The Mascara Snake—clarinet Zoot Horn Rollo—guitar Antennae Jimmy Semens—guitar Rockette Morton—bass Drumbo—drums	Trout Mask Replica (studio sessions)
March 24, 1969	The Mothers Of Invention Mothermania: The Best of The Mothers (LP, Bizarre/Verve V6-5068)
April 21, 1969	The Mothers Of Invention Uncle Meat (2LP, Bizarre/Reprise 2MS 2024)
April 28, 1969	Wild Man Fischer An Evening With Wild Man Fischer (2LP, Bizarre/Reprise 2XS 6332) produced by FZ
May 24, 1969	Rock Pile, Toronto, Canada Probably last gig of Lowell George with the MOI

May 30-June 6, 1969
3rd European Tour

	The Mothers Of Invention: FZ—guitar, vocals Don Preston—keyboards, electronics Ian Underwood—keyboards, alto sax Motorhead—baritone sax Bunk Gardner—tenor sax Buzz Gardner—trumpet Roy Estrada—bass, vocals Jimmy Carl Black—drums Art Tripp—drums, percussion
May 30, 1969	Town Hall, Birmingham, UK	Weasels Ripped My Flesh [10]
June 6, 1969	Royal Albert Hall, London, UK	Little House I Used To Live In (FZ talking to audience) [09] Mozart Ballet (Mozart) [58] aka Mozart Piano Sonata In Bb [94] Intro [94] Sleazette [94] The Walking Zombie Music [94]

June-August, 1969
US & Canada Tour

June 16, 1969	Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band Trout Mask Replica (2LP, Straight STS 1053) produced by FZ
June, 1969	A&R Studios, NYC	Valarie (Lewis/Robinson) [09] Eric Dolphy Memorial Barbecue [10] My Guitar Wants To Kill Your Mama [58]
1969	Providence, Rhode Island	A Game of Cards (FZ/Sherwood/Tripp/Underwood) [58]
1969	Boston	"What's Happening Of The Universe" [85]
July 8, 1969	The Ark, Boston, Massachusets	Holiday In Berlin, Full-Blown (guitar solo?) [09] Piano/Drum Duet [58] Baked Bean Boogie [58] Beat The Boots I: The Ark [B12] Uncle Rhebus [94]
1969	Greyhound Bus	JCB & Kansas On The Bus #1 (Kanzus/Black/Kunc/Barber) [58] JCB & Kansas On The Bus #2 (Kanzus/Black/Kunc/Barber) [58]
c. 1969	?	Igor's Boogie, Phase One [09] Overture To A Holiday In Berlin [09] Igor's Boogie, Phase Two [09] Holiday In Berlin, Full-Blown (studio parts) [09] Aybe Sea [09] Little House I Used To Live In [09]
July 18, 1969	T.T.G. Studios, LA FZ—guitar and percussion Ian Underwood—keyboards and woodwinds	The Gumbo Variations [08]
July 21, 1969	T.T.G. Studios, LA FZ—guitar and percussion Ian Underwood—keyboards and woodwinds	It Must Be A Camel [08]
July 22, 1969	T.T.G. Studios, LA FZ—guitar and percussion Ian Underwood—keyboards and woodwinds	Natasha
July 24, 1969	T.T.G. Studios, LA FZ—guitar Buzz Gardner—trumpet Ian Underwood—woodwinds Bunk Gardner—woodwinds John Balkin—bass Art Tripp—drums	WPLJ (Dobard/McDaniels) [09]
July 28, 1969	T.T.G. Studios, LA FZ—guitar and percussion Ian Underwood—keyboards and woodwinds Don 'Sugarcane' Harris—violin Ron Selico—drums Shuggie Otis—bass Johnny Otis—contractor	Son Of Mr. Green Genes [08]
July 29, 1969	T.T.G. Studios, LA FZ—guitar and percussion Don 'Sugarcane' Harris—violin Don Preston—keyboards Max Bennett—bass John Guerin—drums Jimmy Carl Black—drums	Peaches En Regalia [08]
July 30, 1969	T.T.G. Studios, LA FZ—guitar and percussion Don 'Sugarcane' Harris—violin Roy Estrada—bass, vocals Max Bennett—bass Paul Humphrey—drums	Natasha
c. July 18-30, 1969	T.T.G. Studios, LA	My Guitar Wants To Kill Your Mama (overdubs) [10]
c. July 18-30, 1969	T.T.G. Studios, LA Don 'Sugarcane' Harris—violin, vocals	Directly From My Heart To You (R.W. Penniman) [10]
c. July 18-30, 1969	T.T.G. Studios, LA FZ—guitar and harpsichord Ian Underwood—piano Max Bennett—bass John Guerin—drums	Twenty Small Cigars [11]
c. August 2, 1969	NYC Annie Zannas—voice Cynthia Dobson—voice	The Story of Willie The Pimp [68]
August 19, 1969	CJOH-TV, Ottawa, Canada Last performance of the original Mothers Of Invention

August 25, 1969	Sunset Sound, LA Ian Underwood—keyboards, woodwinds	Little Umbrellas [08] Son Of Mr Green Genes [08]
August 26, 1969	Sunset Sound, LA FZ—guitar, percussion Ian Underwood—keyboards, woodwinds	It Must Be A Camel [08] Peaches En Regalia [08]
August 28, 1969	Whitney Studios, Glendale, CA FZ—guitar, percussion Ian Underwood—keyboards, woodwinds	It Must Be A Camel [08]
August 29, 1969	Whitney Studios, Glendale, CA Ian Underwood—keyboards, woodwinds	Little Umbrellas [08]
August 30, 1969	Whitney Studios, Glendale, CA FZ—guitar, percussion Ian Underwood—keyboards, woodwinds	Little Umbrellas [08]
c. August 28-30, 1969	Whitney Studios, Glendale, CA	Toads of The Short Forest (first part) [10] My Guitar Wants To Kill Your Mama (overdubs) [10]
July-August, 1969	T.T.G., LA and/or Sunset Sound, LA and/or Whitney Studios, Glendale	Willie The Pimp [08] Excentrifugal Forz (basic tracks) ? [18] Lemme Take You To The Beach (basic tracks) [24] [65] Lil' Clanton Shuffle [64] Bognor Regis
September 1, 1969	The Mothers Of Invention My Guitar / Dog Breath (7", Bizarre/Reprise 0840)
September 5, 1969	Dweezil Zappa is born
September 15, 1969	Lord Buckley A Most Immaculately Hip Aristocrat (LP, Straight STS 1054)
October 6, 1969	Jean-Luc Ponty King Kong Whitney Studios, Glendale, CA Jean-Luc Ponty—violin + FZ—arranger George Duke—electric piano Ian Underwood—tenor sax, conductor* Gene Estes—percussion Buell Neidlinger—bass Art Tripp—drums + Donald Christlieb—bassoon* Gene Cipriano—oboe & english horn* Vincent DeRosa—French horn & descant* Arthur Maebe—French horn & tuben* Jonathan Meyer—flute* Harold Bemko—cello* Milton Thomas—viola*	Hot Rats (Music For Electric Violin And Low Budget Orchestra)* King Kong
October 7, 1969	Jean-Luc Ponty King Kong Whitney Studios, Glendale, CA Jean-Luc Ponty—violin + FZ—arranger, guitar* George Duke—electric piano Ernie Watts—sax Gene Estes—percussion Wilton Felder—bass John Guerin—drums	Twenty Small Cigars America Drinks And Goes Home The Idiot Bastard Son How Would You Like To Have A Head Like That? (Ponty)*
October 15, 1969	Frank Zappa Hot Rats (LP, Bizarre/Reprise RS 6356)
October 24-28, 1969	Festival "Actuel" Amougies, Belgium FZ—host & guest guitar with The Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation, Pink Floyd, Caravan, Blossom Toes, Archie Shepp, Pretty Things, Sam Apple Pie, Captain Beefheart
November 28-29, 1969	Frank Zappa & Friends Thee Experience, LA FZ—guitar, vocals Ian Underwood—keyboards, alto sax Jeff Simmons—bass, vocals Art Tripp—drums
December 8, 1969	GTO's Permanent Damage (LP, Straight STS 1059) produced by FZ

facts are stupid things

live performances

touring bands

studio recordings

album or single release

This project researched & developed by Román García Albertos
http://globalia.net/donlope/fz/
WARNING: This is not a complete list of FZ concerts, as only those of special significance or which are represented in FZ's official output appear in this chronology. If you're looking for an exhaustive list of FZ concerts go to Charles Ulrich's Frank Zappa Gig List, and if you're looking for the complete known setlists go to Oscar Bianco's FZShows, v. 7.1.
Here's a list of main sources & contributions
Release dates taken from Greg Russo's book Cosmik Debris (The Son of Revised Edition)
Concert dates and venues taken from Charles Ulrich's Frank Zappa Gig List
Corrections & additions welcome
This page updated: 2013-04-03

FZ chronology

1965

1966

1967

March 23-September 5, 1967 Garrick Theatre, NYC

September 23-October 2, 1967 1st European Tour

October-December, 1967 East Coast

1968

September 27-October 28, 1968 2nd European Tour

November 8-December, 1968 West Coast