Today I am interviewing Co de Kloet, who was Frank @zappa’s friend and business partner. His book “Frank & Co: Conversations with Frank Zappa 1977–1993” transcribes their conversations about music, life, politics, war, humor and business. We also talk about Co’s friendship and business relationship with guitarist and composer @SteveVaiHimself
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Frank & Co: Conversations with Frank Zappa 1977–1993
Co’s book is excellent! It goes far beyond the boilerplate music journalism questions that are often tossed at press conferences. Instead Co engages with Frank Zappa on the topics Zappa wants to explore. These are bookended with little vignettes from Co’s life to provide context to the meetings and other events connected to Zappa’s life. Learn more at
Thumbnail photo courtesy of Ernest Potter.
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Timestamps:
0:00 Why is Frank Zappa Important?
2:12 Personal interactions and friendship with Zappa
5:37 The process of Interviewing Zappa
7:37 Dweezil Zappa and unknown stories
9:33 My reaction to reading the interviews
11:28 What if Frank hadn’t died so young?
15:41 Meeting Frank in High School
16:32 What is Frank Zappa’s Charm?
21:35 What album should a Zappa novice start with? What to avoid?
22:39 Your favorite Zappa album or song?
24:50 Music as beauty (and Steve Vai)
27:26 Craftsmanship and Honesty
29:10 Zappa’s personality
31:40 How has Zappa changed you? (and Steve Vai)
33:26 Would he have been Zappa without luck?
35:02 Did Zappa self sabotage his work?
37:51 Steve Vai and working together
42:23 a personal Steve Vai story
44:49 Audio book and connections
49:05 Drinking Frank Zappa’s coffee
50:23 Frank Zappa’s gas mask
53:19 After Zappa’s Death and possible recordings
55:26 Final thoughts
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