Roxy: The Movie, the feature-length film featuring Frank Zappa and the Mothers performing at Hollywood’s Roxy Theatre in 1973, finally has its release date.
The movie will be released on DVD and Blu-Ray on October 30, via Eagle Rock Entertainment and Zappa’s own Honker Home Video. It was written, directed, produced, conducted and performed by Zappa himself, with backup from The Mothers. Zappa covered lead vocals and guitar; keyboards, synthesizer and backing vocals were done by George Duke; trombone by Bruce Fowler; flute, tenor saxophone and backing vocals by Napoleon Murphy Brock; bass guitar by Tom Fowler; drums by Ralph Humphrey and Chester Thompson; and other percussion by Ruth Underwood.
The film was recorded over three nights in December 1973 at the titular Roxy. It then sat, unreleased, for almost four decades. Snippets and clips from the movie were released periodically from the Zappa estate, according to Rolling Stone, but this will be the first time fans can get their hands on the full-length film. Jeff Stein worked with Gail Zappa, Frank’s wife, and Ahmet Zappa, Frank’s son, to finally get the movie released to the public in 2015.
“I’m beyond thrilled that Roxy: The Movie is finally going to be available. It took a herculean effort to bring it to life. So much love, time, energy and attention to detail went into its resurrection. This movie rocks so hard, I think both old and new fans will agree,” says Ahmet. “Enjoy!”
Zappa’s estate has made sure to keep his art alive over the years, reissuing 12 of his albums at once in July 2012 then reissuing three more in 2013.
The trailer for the film opens with a close-up sketch of Zappa’s face with a voice-over of his count off before a song starts. It features clips of performances throughout the film, including harmonies, elaborate instrumental solos and dancing – though the crowd’s dancing also gets its time in the limelight. Based on the trailer, this film will be a sort of time capsule of 1973’s fashion and music. Watch the trailer below.
Roxy: The Movie Tracklist
01. Cosmik Debris
02. Penguin in Bondage
03. T’Mershi Duween
04. Dog/Meat
05. RDNZL
06. Inca Roads
07. Echidna’s Arf (Of You)
08. Don’t You Ever Wash That Thing?
09. Cheepnis-Percussion
10. Cheepnis
11. I’m the Slime
12. Big Swifty
13. Be-Bop Tango (Of the Old Jazzmen’s Church)
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