Scene

1984 September 6-12

His Best Friends Are Computers
By Bill Camarata, 1 p

Like most writers, I record my interviews so that I can use the tape to get accurate quotes from the artist when I write the story. On the big day, I called the number I was supposed to, and there was no answer at Frank's room. I told the operator I'd call back in a few minutes, hung up and went into the next room to turn off the tape recorder and rewind the tape. While the reels were spinning, the phone rang. Since the phone in the living room was disassembled for the recording hookup, I ran into the other room and answered the phone.
"Hello?"
"Bill?"
"Yes?"
"Frank Zappa. They're having problems with the phones here, so I thought I'd call you since you can't get through here." I stood in shock for a second, then got control of myself.
"Oh. Thanks! Uh, let me go and turn the recorder back on. I was rewinding when you called." I did so, and returned to the room, sat down grabbed the phone, and started my interview of a lifetime. (read more)

Many thanks to slime.oofytv.set for this entry.

1988 March 3-9

A Talk With Frank Zappa
By Bill Camarata, 1 p

SCENE: Hi, Frank. What's new?

Frank Zappa: Well, I just got a call from a guy from "60 Minutes." They're going to be doing something on this stuff.

SCENE: The tour?

FZ: Well, they're more interested in the voter registration than rock 'n' roll. We're going to be having dinner with them tomorrow night to figure out what we're going to do. It hasn't even been shot yet.

SCENE: Have you set up voter registration tables at all of the concerts so far?

FZ: Every one. We've been working with the League of Women Voters, and in the cities where they wouldn't cooperate, couldn't cooperate, or didn't have the volunteers, various citizens groups, either with of without the League of Women Voters, have staffed the tables. We expect that we're going to be able to do every single concert on the U.S. tour. (read more)