Whippin' Post

The Zoo Crew is spinning Frank Zappa’s electrifying cover of "Whippin’ Post" from his 1984 album Them or Us, a track that’s got the Zoo Freaks buzzing with its raw energy and Zappa’s unique spin. This song, originally by the Allman Brothers Band, found its way into Zappa’s repertoire through a quirky twist of fate. Back in 1974, during a concert in Helsinki, Finland, a fan shouted out for "Whippin’ Post." Zappa, unfamiliar with the song at the time, playfully wove some whipping post-themed banter into his performance of "Montana," later released as "Montana (Whipping Floss)" on You Can’t Do That on Stage Anymore, Vol. 2. This moment sparked Zappa’s curiosity, and by 1981, when singer and keyboardist Bobby Martin joined the band, Zappa asked if he knew the song. Martin, a fan of the tune, taught it to the band overnight, and it became a powerful encore piece, complete with Zappa’s scorching guitar solos and Martin’s soulful vocals. The studio version on Them or Us clocks in at 7:32, showcasing Zappa’s ability to blend Southern blues-rock with his avant-garde flair.

Another layer of trivia comes from the Zappa fan community on Reddit’s r/Zappa, where fans recount how the song became a live staple. One fan noted that Zappa’s band "burned the hell out of it," with Martin’s vocals and Zappa’s extended solos elevating the cover to new heights. The song’s inclusion on Them or Us was also a nod to Zappa’s knack for satire, as the album juxtaposes covers like "Whippin’ Post" with doo-wop homages and experimental tracks like "Ya Hozna." Zappa’s live performances of the song, including a version on Does Humor Belong in Music? featuring his son Dweezil Zappa on lead guitar, highlight his willingness to embrace fan-driven moments and transform them into something distinctly his own. The track’s legacy lives on, with fans debating their favorite versions, some preferring the studio cut for its polish, others the live renditions for their improvisational fire.

Frank Zappa’s journey to becoming a musical icon began in Baltimore, Maryland, where he was born on December 21, 1940. A mostly self-taught musician, Zappa’s early influences were eclectic, ranging from 20th-century classical composers like Edgard Varèse to R&B and doo-wop. As a teenager in California, he taught himself guitar and began composing, driven by a fascination with sound experimentation. In the early 1960s, he worked as a session musician and composer, even scoring low-budget films. His big break came in 1965 when he joined the Soul Giants, a bar band, and transformed it into the Mothers of Invention. Their 1966 debut, Freak Out!, was a groundbreaking double album that blended rock, satire, and avant-garde elements, influencing the Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. Zappa’s career spanned over 60 albums, marked by his refusal to conform to genre norms and his sharp critiques of American culture.

Zappa’s official website, www.zappa.com, is a treasure trove of his discography, news, and archival releases managed by the Zappa Family Trust. Fans can connect on social media via the official Frank Zappa Facebook page, the Frank Zappa Instagram account, and the Frank Zappa X account, which share updates, rare photos, and fan interactions. For deeper dives, the fan-driven r/Zappa subreddit is a vibrant community discussing everything from album rankings to concert memories. Another fan hub, the alt.fan.frank-zappa Usenet group, has been active since the early 1990s, offering trivia and discussions. These platforms keep Zappa’s legacy alive, connecting Zoo Freaks and longtime devotees alike.