THE GOOD

2. Frank Zappa, Stanley Theater, Pittsburgh, November 1980

Prior to 1984, when the Stanley shifted away from rock acts, the venerable theater was a real treat for musicians and audience members alike.

In fact, a couple of years ago I talked to Ike Willis, who sang with Zappa's band at this particular show, and he mentioned how everyone always loved coming to Pittsburgh to play at the Stanley. The acoustics were unmatched, and the overall environment was exponentially preferable to, say, a hockey rink converted to a concert venue.

What I remember about the Zappa show was keeping my eyes glued to the stage for two-plus hours. No checking out who else was in the audience. No getting up to wander around. None of that other monkey business kids might do at rock concerts. The performance was that riveting.

For this tour, Zappa brought along his most dynamic vocalists, Willis and Ray White, along with a teenage kid who would become a guitar legend in his own right, Steve Vai. But whenever Frank took his turns on the fretboard during the show, we knew we were witnessing genius.

It's been said countless times, but there will never be anyone else like Frank Vincent Zappa (1940-93).

(Stay tuned.)