You might love Halloween, but you probably don't love the holiday as much as Frank Zappa did. In the late 60s, the legendary musician began performing annual Halloween-themed shows that lasted through 1984.
So let's take a little trip down memory lane. On this day in setlist history in 1977, Zappa played one of these iconic shows at The Palladium in New York City, which existed on East 14th Street between Irving Plaza and 3rd Ave.
It may not seem that long ago to some of you, but to put things into perspective for our younger readers: in 1977, the Apple computer was incorporated, Jimmy Carter was president, Fleetwood Mac released Rumors, the first Star Wars movie debuted, Son of Sam was captured, Elvis died and three Lynyrd Skynyrd stars were killed in a plane crash en route to a show.
And that was all BEFORE Halloween, 1977.
Originally performed in Passiac, New Jersey and Chicago, Illinois, Zappa found his permanent Halloween venue in New York City in 1974.
The Palladium became the "it" spot for rock shows following the 1971 closing of the Fillmore East. Some other famous heads who'd performed there were Patti Smith, Television, Bruce Springsteen, The Grateful Dead, Blue Öyster Cult, Iggy Pop and more.
Zappa's Halloween residence would last days leading up to Halloween, with performances in front of nearly 3,000 people. His 1977 band included members Terry Bozzio (drums), Tommy Mars, Peter Wolf (keys), Adrian Belew (guitar), Ed Mann (percussion) and Patrick O'Hearn (bass).
The group performed about 25 songs per night, and made sure the audience was in the Halloween spirit with participation segments.
On this day in setlist history, Zappa and Co. treated fans to a 21-song set with a five-song encore, kicking things off with "Peaches en Regalia" off 1969's Hot Rats.
Highlights included Sheik Yerbouti tracks "Bobby Brown Goes Down," "Broken Hearts are for Assholes," "City of Tiny Lites," "Flakes," "Jones Crusher," "Tryin' to Grow a Chin" and "Wild Love," as well as Zappa in New York songs "Punky's Whips," "The Black Page #2" and "Titties 'n Beer."
The group also included covers of The Mothers of Invention's "Big Leg Emma" and "Pound for a Brown," as well as a rendition of "Muffin Man," originally performed by Zappa with Captain Beefheart.
The encore consisted of songs "Dinah-Moe Humm," with a snippet of Cream's "Sunshine of Your Love," "Camarillo Brillo," "San Ber'dino" and "Black Napkins."
Check out some videos from the performance below!
This is "City of Tiny Lites."
Watch these electric renditions of "Camarillo Brillo" and "Muffin Man!"
👻Happy Halloween from the folks at Setlist.Fm! 🎃
