Remember Frank Zappa, Baltimore native and pioneer of boundary-pushing experimental rock music? He’s back! In hologram form.
The vocalist and guitarist, dead since 1993, will appear on stage at the Modell Lyric as a projection that plays music alongside frequent collaborator guitarists Ray White and Mike Keneally, bassist Scott Thunes, multi-instrumentalist Robert Martin and percussionist Ed Mann.
Rounding out the lineup are drummer and Zappa archivist Joe “Vaultmeister” Travers.
Known as The Bizarre World of Frank Zappa, the show is possible thanks to hologram technology by the production company Eyellusion, which counts one of Zappa’s children, Ahmet Zappa, as its executive vice president of business development.
In a statement, the younger Zappa says he and his father “actively discussed 3D and ‘holography’ and it was a concept he actively engaged in” and that eventually received a chapter in “The Real Frank Zappa Book.”
“This is a love letter and a journey celebrating the genius artistry of Frank Zappa,” he went on to say. “On a personal note, I feel like I am finishing something my father started years ago. And let’s not forget, Frank himself will be rocking his fans, alongside his bandmates like nobody’s business.”
“The ‘can’t miss’ concert spectacle,” as it’s referred to in a release, stops at the Modell Lyric Performing Arts Center on May 3, one of only nine U.S. dates announced. Tickets go on sale this Friday at 10 a.m. through Ticketmaster. A VIP package that includes access to a pre-show soundcheck, a guaranteed seat in the first 10 rows and exclusive merchandise goes on sale Wednesday.
And on Mother’s Day 5/12, The Furious Bongos will be performing Frank’s music at The Metro Gallery. There will be no holograms.