ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Frank Zappa And The Mothers of Invention’s Whisky A Go-Go, 1968′ Out Now

Decades in the making, the album documents a clothing-optional night in 1968.

Published on

Frank-Zappa-Whisky-1968-Out-Now
Cover art courtesy of Zappa Records/UMe

Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention’s much-anticipated live collection Whisky A Go-Go, 1968 is out now. Bits and pieces from the legendary all-night concert have appeared over the years but the album has never appeared in its entirety, until now.

Shop the best of Frank Zappa’s discography on vinyl and more.

The show was initially announced via an ad from Zappa in the L.A. Free Press: “The Mothers of Invention cordially invite you to join them on Tuesday, July 23, 1968 when they will be taking over the Whisky a Go Go for 5 full hours of unprecedented merriment, which will be secretly recorded for an upcoming record album. Dress optional. Starting sometime in the evening. R.S.V.D.T.”

Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention - Live at Whisky a Go Go 1968 (Vault Footage)

Click to load video

Decades in the making, this extensive collection compiles everything The Mothers of Invention played across their three sets that night in 1968. Produced by Ahmet Zappa and Joe Travers, the album is newly remixed in 2023 from hi-res 24-bit/96kHz digital transfers of the original 1” 8-track analog tapes by Craig Parker Adams at Winslow CT Studios.

A Super Deluxe Edition box set is available on both 5LP 180-gram black vinyl or 3CD, and features a booklet with many unseen photos from the night’s events, along with detailed liner notes by “Vaultmeister” Joe Travers, an essay by Pamela Des Barres of the Zappa-signed group The GTO’s who played that evening, and an interview by Ahmet Zappa with the legendary Alice Cooper, whose own band made a momentous splash at the Whisky that night as one of the featured acts.

“Listen to all of this album in its entirety and try to envision the Whisky a Go Go that long ago night,” writes Des Barres. “It happened in a space and time that will never come again, so buckle up, baby, close your eyes, let your imagination soar, and set your freak free.”

Ahead of the release, West Hollywood declared June 10, 2024 as Frank Zappa Day. Travers has also been hosting a YouTube video series diving into Zappa. Episodes have explored the events leading up to the July 1968 performances at the Whisky as well as Zappa’s musical and cultural influence.

In addition to the album’s release, historical footage from the night has been unearthed. You can view the 14 minutes from the event here.

Buy or stream Whisky A-Go-Go, 1968.

Click to comment
Comments are temporarily disabled and will return shortly.
Rihanna - Unapologetic
Rihanna
Unapologetic
Opaque Fruit Punch Limited Edition 2LP
ORDER NOW
Rihanna - Rated R
Rihanna
Rated R
Translucent Black Ice Limited Edition 2LP
ORDER NOW
Rihanna - Good Girl Gone Bad
Rihanna
Good Girl Gone Bad
Crystal Clear Limited Edition 2LP
ORDER NOW
Rihanna - Loud
Rihanna
Loud
Pink Limited Edition 2LP
ORDER NOW
Rihanna - Talk That Talk
Rihanna
Talk That Talk
Translucent Emerald Green Limited Edition LP
ORDER NOW
Rihanna - A Girl Like Me
Rihanna
A Girl Like Me
Sea Glass Limited Edition 2LP
ORDER NOW
uDiscover Music - Back To Top
uDiscover Music - Back To Top