On Tue, 21 May 2013 15:53:50 +0200
Aurelien <tyranorl@xxxxxxx> wrote:
> So, here it is, Sebhka-Chott will perform Frank Zappa's Thing Fish in
> commemoration of his death, 20 years ago.
Fantastic! While not my favorite work, it's an ambitious project, and,
well, it's Frank!
> To end up, I must admit, this time, and this time only, we're not
> speaking about free art, cause Zappa Family Trust does not really manage
> Zappa's thunes this way....
It's very sad to me how the FZT has handled itself. Despite FZ's response
to how he'd like to be remembered ("Keep playing my music"), the FZT
has often gone overboard, even harassing tribute bands like the fantastic
Project/Object for playing Frank's music without paying royalties, even
though all that's required is that the venue the band plays in has an
ASCAP/BMI license. If Gail Zappa was correct in saying the FZT needed to
get paid by the bands, then there'd never be another cover band ever.
I know of one FZ band that stopped playing because of the Trust's
goon squad approach. It was sad to see them give up, but they were
broke and didn't want to have to hire a lawyer. FZT didn't actually
sue them - to the best of my knowledge they have never gone that far -
but the threat was enough. I know she did sue Zappanale for trademark
infringement and lost.
I have made the decision not to buy any more Zappa material nor go see
any more Zappa Plays Zappa shows because of the way that the Trust has
tried to extort money that is not legally theirs from performances of
Frank's music.
That said, good luck with this project and I hope you have a fantastic
experience at Zappanale!
--
======================================================================
Joe Hartley - UNIX/network Consultant - jh@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Without deviation from the norm, "progress" is not possible. - FZappa
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