• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Jeff Berlin fired by Frank Zappa

#221
winston said:
I dunno about this, I haven't noticed these problems with TB's other "Ask A Pro" forums besides Jeff or Dann's. I mean there are always dumb noob gear questions in the Michael Manring/ Steve Lawson, Justin Meldal-Johnsen, Janek Gwizdala et al forums but otherwise I think the of conversation/respect there is pretty high.

If you ask intelligent questions, all the current pros on TB are tremendously happy to address the more intangible aspects of creativity, artistry, career pathways, developing a personal voice, etc.

IMO Jeff and Dann's forums got a little confrontational because they reflected their own personalities. I think Jeff's provocative black/white pronouncements were better suited to magazine columns than the internet.
Click to expand...

This is a good observation. If only you could go back and read the threads but you can't because both Jeff and Dann deleted the posts from their forums or requested they be deleted.
 
#222
Frank wouldn't be the only talented musician to be fired from a project. I read a few articles where Marcus Miller and Leeland Sklar told stories of how they lost gigs. Sometimes its simply a matter of "style and fit or maybe... personality" for the project. We all know these guys can play.
 
#223
If you ever read the "Real Frank Zappa Book" theres a chapter where he discusses this major project involving a Dutch Orchestra and basically after about a year of trying to organize rehearsals and salaries and sponsorships, Vinnie Colaiuta and Jeff Berlin basically ruined the whole thing by secretly planning to collect more money than the rest of the band from the management, behind Frank's back. Frank himself was in part funding the event and was getting no payment other than royalties from the eventual recording. Frank was outraged that they did this and canceled the whole thing so that no musicians were treated unfairly. In the end he paid 125,000$ (1970 or 80s) for nothing
 
  • Like
Reactions: Akami
#224
DarkStar90 said:
If you ever read the "Real Frank Zappa Book" theres a chapter where he discusses this major project involving a Dutch Orchestra and basically after about a year of trying to organize rehearsals and salaries and sponsorships, Vinnie Colaiuta and Jeff Berlin basically ruined the whole thing by secretly planning to collect more money than the rest of the band from the management, behind Frank's back. Frank himself was in part funding the event and was getting no payment other than royalties from the eventual recording. Frank was outraged that they did this and canceled the whole thing so that no musicians were treated unfairly. In the end he paid 125,000$ (1970 or 80s) for nothing
Click to expand...
Right, this is what I read too.
I seriously doubt that Frank would've fired them just for asking for more money, I believe it was more likely because they underhandedly went behind Frank's back. Of course I don't believe Frank would've given them the raise that they seeked either.
 
  • Like
Reactions: vinnydbass
#227
burk48237 said:
I will say this much, I had the opportunity to hang with Jeff Berlin last fall when he was on tour here with Oz Noy and Dennis Chambers. He has mellowed quite a bit from his absolutists days. He is a perfectionist, and a wonderfully skilled player, no doubt.
Click to expand...
That must have been a killer show, I love Noy's trios.
 
  • Like
Reactions: The Owl and burk48237
#234
jerry said:
Even better! Back in the day I would see Sancious's trio Tone, and they were scary good too.
Click to expand...

I saw him play a show around '80 with Jack Bruce, Billy Cobham, and Clem Clempson. They were the opening band for the ABB and not even on the bill, which was a nice surprise.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jerry and Bob_Ross
#238
Hoover said: ↑
I also saw the 1974 tour at the Capitol Theater in Passaic NJ with Chester Thompson, Tom Fowler, Ruth Underwood, George Duke, and Napoleon Murphy Brock. Wow. Just freakin' wow.

jerry said:
I was at that show too, great show, great venue!
Click to expand...

I'm a huge Zappa fan. Saw most NYC/NJ shows '70 through '78 or so.
Once saw a show around '74 at the Capital Theater in Passaic, NJ that was performed in QUAD (sat by the mixing board having chatted with the sound man Steve Desper outside before the show) and during the encore the music was swirling around the theater. Very impressive. Do you recall if this was the show you saw? Frank played there quite a few times but this was particularly memorable because of the QUAD sound and the ROXY line-up.
 
#239
thunes.jpg
The sometimes irascible yet also warm and cuddly and very decent Mr. Scott Thunes in my apartment in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn around 1985.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Joshua

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back