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Los Angeles Free Press

USA
The Los Angeles Free Press (often called "the Freep") was among the most widely distributed underground newspapers of the 1960s, and it is often cited as the first such paper. Edited and published (weekly, for most of its existence) by Art Kunkin, the paper initially appeared as a broadsheet titled "Faire Free Press" in 1964, then became the LA Free Press newspaper in 1965. (wikipedia)
 

1966 July 8
Vol. 3 No. 27 (Issue 103)

Kooks, Little Green Books And Zappa Blows Bicycle
By Jerry Hopkins, 1 p

Another "kook" I lost track of was the guy who came into the Steve Allen Theatre and looked me in the eye and said: "I play musical bicycle."

I said, "What?"

"I blow bicycle, man. I want to teach Steve how to blow bicycle."

I said okay, go get your bike and show me how it's done. Which is exactly what he did – "tuning" the spokes with a spoke wrench before plucking them. Then he blew a few notes across the open end of the handlebars. This went on for some time, with variations. The melody was intriguing, if less than consistent.

Two years went by before I saw this fellow again. Now he has a record out, and an album. The fellow's name is Frank Zappa and he is the leader of The Mothers. The album is called "Freak Out" and it is two records (for the price of one) of psychedelic music, for lack of a better phrase. It is a good album. It has original selections titled "The Return of the Son of the Monster Magnet" (being an "unfinished ballet in two tableaux" running 12:17), "Who Are the Brain Police," and "Hungry Freaks, Daddy."  (read more)

 
 

1966 July 29
Vol. 3 No. 30 (Issue 106)

GUAMBO Is An Act Of Love – Mothers, Happenings, Dancing
By Jerry Hopkins, 1 p

The Factory finishes its set and The Mothers of Invention go on. This is one of the truly wild scenes of the evening. Frank Zappa in his suit of flowers. His sidemen are garbed similarly and, behind them are five other musicians augmenting the group. Five short haired American Federation of Musician types in black suits, white shirts and black ties. Just sitting there, reading charts, blowing with the Mothers the Mother sound. And the Mother's Auxiliary dancing, dancing, dancing ....

Carl, of "Hungry Freaks, Daddy" fame, is one of the featured dancers now. He is wearing what looks like zebra-skinned long johns with a pop art All-American Superman bib. Two nice ladies are dancing with him, alternating with some of Vito's group ... and from the dance floor comes a man in a mummy suit to join in.  (read more)