Calvin Schenkel recounts his relationship with Frank Zappa, covering their independent project collaborations, Zappa’s ad agency (Nifty, Tough and Bitchin’) and the origin of the Burnt Weenie Sandwich. He describes the challenges in defining a professional relationship with Frank, and his contributions to Zappa’s work. You’ll learn about a Zappa advertising concept that was deemed ‘too bizarre’ and how Calvin got the nickname “The Eggman”.
Calvin Schenkel began working for Frank Zappa in 1967, immediately becoming his entire art department. He produced iconic album cover images, including in addition to Zappa, covers for Tom Waits, Tim Buckley and Three Dog Night. His design for Captain Beefheart’s Trout Mask Replica is listed as one of the 50 greatest album cover designs of the 20th Century.
Among the many album covers he produced for Zappa since his first design work on We’re Only in It for the Money, Schenkel also provided artwork and graphics for Cruising with Ruben & the Jets, Uncle Meat, Hot Rats, Burnt Weeny Sandwich, Chunga’s Revenge, Fillmore East – June 1971, Just Another Band from L.A., The Grand Wazoo, One Size Fits All, Bongo Fury, Tinseltown Rebellion, Does Humor Belong in Music?, The Best Band You Never Heard in Your Life, Playground Psychotics, Ahead of Their Time, and Cheap Thrills.
Bob Dobbs is a McLuhan Scholar and Zappa researcher.
00:00:00 – Intro
Discussion on the origin of the Burnt Weenie Sandwich for Moop Records jazz albums.
00:03:31 – Project Cancellation
Cancellation of a Moop Records project for being too “bizarre,” leading to partnership dissolution.
00:05:31 – Personal Recollections
Speakers share personal experiences and interactions within Frank Zappa’s professional circle.
00:07:17 – Frank’s Band Evolution
Discussion on the timeline of The Mothers’ breakup and changes in Frank’s musical journey.
00:09:43 – Zappa’s Vice Squad Raid
Efforts to accurately date a vice squad raid article related to Frank Zappa.
00:13:17 – New York Cultural History
Personal accounts of living in New York’s Greenwich Village and its ’60s cultural significance.
00:20:32 – Creative Inspiration
Cal talks about how magazine ads influenced his creative concepts.
00:24:07 – Pre-Fame Frank Zappa Encounters
Recollections of early interactions with Frank Zappa and the L.A. music scene.
00:33:49 – Garrick Theater Period
Discussing Sandy and others’ performances at the Garrick theater during Frank Zappa’s shows.
00:45:21 – Website Development Plans
Cal outlines plans for a new website, Ralf.com, to feature interviews and related content.
00:50:26 – Bob’s Wrap Up
Bob presents themes such as cycles of years, starting with the mentioning of the years ’52 and ’53, and their relationship to significant events in Frank Zappa’s work.
Recorded in July 1996
Leave a Reply