Lithuania presents Baltimore with a Frank Zappa statue

The Guardian (UK) ^ | Friday May 9, 2008 | Sean Michaels

[1rudeboy]

When we were last in eastern Europe, we almost made a sidetrack to Vilnius. We were enticed by Lithuania's fascinating history and rich cultural heritage. But mostly we just wanted to see their statue of Frank Zappa's head.

Now, at last, Baltimore is taking a page from Vilnius' book.

Thirteen years ago, a band of plucky Lithuanian intellectuals pooled their funds, solicited their friends, and built a bronze bust of the musical iconoclast. Saulius Paukstys, longtime president of a Zappa fanclub, even convinced authorities that the statue should be erected in downtown Vilnius, in front of the Belgian embassy.

Zappa had died of cancer just two years before, in 1993, but Lithuania's capital city was an odd place for a tribute. Zappa was not, after all, Lithuanian (or Belgian, for that matter). He had never even visited the place. But his music was dearly loved by the avant-garde hipsters in the Lithuanian independence movement - and these same intellectuals were the ones running the show after the Baltic state declared independence from Russia in 1990.

[1rudeboy]

I submit my nomination for Most Unlikely Headline 2008.

[A_Former_Democrat]

Frank Zappa’s head?

I remember seeing a poster of Frank Zappa SITTING on the head.

It was entitled “Phi Zappa Krappa”

[Califreak]

I heard it will be moved to Montana soon. : )

[1rudeboy]

for your list

[buck jarret]

I once presented the City of Sacramento with a portrait of Adam Rich, from “Eight Is Enough,” in order to commemorate his (faked) death. It was after the style of Rauschenberg’s “Iris Clert.” That was my major charitable gift that year.

[gogov]

I wonder what is was the Lituanians saw in Dinamo Hum? Given their quest for independence and freedom, more likely it was the slime.

I’m The Slime

I am gross and perverted
Im obsessed n deranged
I have existed for years
But very little had changed
I am the tool of the government
And industry too
For I am destined to rule
And regulate you

I may be vile and pernicious
But you cant look away
I make you think Im delicious
With the stuff that I say
I am the best you can get
Have you guessed me yet?
I am the slime oozin out
From your tv set

You will obey me while I lead you
And eat the garbage that I feed you
Until the day that we dont need you
Dont got for help...no one will heed you
Your mind is totally controlled
It has been stuffed into my mold
And you will do as you are told
Until the rights to you are sold

Thats right, folks..
Dont touch that dial

Well, I am the slime from your video
Oozin along on your livinroom floor

I am the slime from your video
Cant stop the slime, people, lookit me go

[gogov]

I heard it will be moved to Montana soon. : )

No doubt where it will be sponsored by the society of dental floss tycoons!

[dljordan]

“I submit my nomination for Most Unlikely Headline 2008.”

You’re definitely in the running. That’s really strange.

[VR-21]

"I heard it will be moved to Montana soon."

Who you jivin' with that cosmic debris?

[1rudeboy]

It’s not that complicated, really. The Soviets tried to restrict bourgeouise reactionary musical forms, so listening to them became part of the counter-culture. It was a way of showing defiance against the state.

[aruanan]

It’s weird, but the Zappa music I didn’t like as a teen is pretty awesome now.

[Califreak]

Hey! I don’t even OWN a poncho okay? LOL!

[Oorang]

Great googaley-moogaley.

Save your money don't go to the show
don't you eat the yellow snow

[aruanan]

Hey! I don’t even OWN a poncho okay? LOL!

Could I interest you in a pair of zircon-encrusted tweezers?

[gogov]

Yes, I got that. But thanks for the added perspective. You put it well.

[gogov]

Ok, If you are all so smart...what song are these lyics from...

Ill ignore your cheap aroma
And your little-bo-peep diploma...

[VR-21]

"Hey! I don’t even OWN a poncho okay?"

Okay, but could you make Dynamo hum.

[Califreak]

Oh-the ballad about the MSM.

[Califreak]

I hope not.

[Oorang]

Dirty Love

[aruanan]

Give me your Dirty Love. Also featured in one of the Duckman episodes.

[allmost]

Baltimore responded by poppin a cap in his A$$. “We aint down with that” said the shivering city spokesperson.

[OldEagle]

Dirty Love?

[1rudeboy]

I think it would be cool if Baltimore reciprocated with a bust of Johnny Unitas. Question is, is there anyone left in Baltimore who knows who Johnny Unitas was?

[gogov]

You win...by about 45 seconds!

[ThreePuttinDude]

Like some tacky little pamphlet
In your daddy’s bottom drawer

[Oorang]

Thank you, thank you. I’ll take the poncho, please.

[allmost]

They died, or were converted.

[VR-21]

I am officially embarrased by my participation in this thread.

[gogov]

I saw Zappa at the Poly Pavilion on New Years Eve (don't remember the year). He come out on stage round about 8:30 pm. and says, "You know all that stuff where I play what is supposed to be the last song, I walk off stage, you clap, we come back on and play some more? Well forget it. It's New Years and we want to celebrate too. So were gong to play to midnight. Then we are going to walk off stage, the lights go on and the show is over."

I'm sure I don't have that exact but after he said, he started playing and did not take a break for over an hour, just one song right into the next. The transtion from one song to the next was without a missed note.

[Richard Kimball]

All us cool guys have ponchos

I have to admit that I found Zappa kind of like I found Ken Kesey, Tim O'Leary and most of the other 60/70's icons. They left me unimpressed. I was more of the Clint Eastwood, Jim Bronson, and YES! I'll ADMIT IT! Billy Jack follower. More of the iconic loner type. P.S. I gave up on Billy Jack when I found out he was married to that skank in the second movie. The girl in Born Losers was hot.

[aruanan]

I never saw him live but my brother did and he said the music was just as tight and complex as on any of the albums.

[Oorang]

Be proud of your participation, be embarrassed if you remember the El Monte Legion Stadium.

[gogov]

I am officially embarrased by my participation in this thread.

Oh plez...you could have been off bashing Bucanan over his stance that the border should be closed like was all the rage on here a few years back.

Imagine the embarrassment of those that participated in those threads!

[Rudder]

Rude of you to omit the main topic:

[gogov]

I never saw him live but my brother did and he said the music was just as tight and complex as on any of the albums.

How come everyone on here is saying it better than me and will less words?

[Califreak]

Just rename it “The Official Saturday Silliness Thread” and you’ll feel better.

[Califreak]

Only if they gleam in the moonlight

[VR-21]

Never been to the "Stadium" but I'm that vintgage. I had Freak Out when I was in 11th grade (68). I saw the Mothers in Honolulu back around 74. I'm sure I still have those old albums somewhere in the crawlspace (Weasels Ripped My Flesh...jeez.)

[StatenIsland]

Mud, shh, shh, shark.

The mudshark dancing lesson.

The mudshark arpeggio.

Ahhh. The Sixties.

[Richard Kimball]

[VR-21]

"Oh plez...you could have been off bashing Bucanan over his stance that the border should be closed like was all the rage on here a few years back."

I'm just embarrased at being so friggin' old.

[TigersEye]

I am officially embarrased by my participation in this thread.

the poodle bites, the poodle chews it

Your fate is sealed.

[Baynative]

Not sure the lyrics should be printed here. But, they bring back some memories.

Zappa was more candid and made more sense than the Dollie-oBama.

[VR-21]

[gogov]

I'm just embarrased at being so friggin' old.

OIC. Are you saying your remember why they were called record stores?

[VR-21]

"the poodle bites, the poodle chews it"

C'mon Frenchy...dammit you guys!

[Haddit]

I had dog doo doo in my right eye, I had dog doo doo in my left eye, and I exclaimed...I can’t see.

The guy was twisted but he was great.

[TigersEye]

Ah, the days before Chinese dog food. Not a speck of cereal!

[Califreak]

>I’m just embarrased at being so friggin’ old.<

Tell me about it. I was the only student taking my college final equipped with a calculator that I got for free in the mail from the AARP. LOL!