An advertisement for the upcoming The Bizarre World Of Frank Zappa hologram tour has been cited as “questionable content” by Ticketmaster’s Content Governance team as per a statement posted on the late guitarist Frank Zappa’s website. The first look at the hologram version of Frank Zappa comes as he delivers a response to what the announcement on the website deems as censorship.
The artwork for the tour – which starts at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, New York on April 19 – includes an image honoring Frank Zappa & The Mothers’ 1974 song “Penguin In Bondage” that depicts a penguin dressed in bondage about to paddle a bare ass. An updated image has been created by tour organizers Eyellusion and the Zappa Family Trust with the bare bottom covered up. Here’s a look at the original and revised imagery:
Check out a blown-up version of the “Warning Guarantee” that has been placed over the bare bottom:
The image is an updated version of the “Warning Guarantee” that Frank Zappa voluntarily put on his albums in the mid-80s after appearing before Congress on September 19, 1985 to discuss censorship. Ahmet Zappa, Frank’s son and head of the Zappa Family Trust, advises fans the images within the artwork for the tour gives clues as to what to expect from the upcoming tour. “If you’re someone that can’t enjoy the absurdity and humor of bringing Frank’s music and lyrics to life via holograms–such as penguins in bondage, talking hot dogs and super natural dental floss–this show might not be your cup of tea. In response to Ticketmaster, I re-submit the poster artwork with our newly updated Warning/Guarantee hiding the buttocks of the cartoon penguin. I mean, seriously Ticketmaster?” said Zappa in a statement.
A video featuring fans’ first look at the hologram Frank Zappa includes FZ’s 1984 quote, “I’m a person who likes to do what he wants to do…whether people like it or not and what I do is designed for people who like it, not for people who don’t.” Watch the initial look at the FZ hologram:
The upcoming tour will feature previously unseen footage of Frank Zappa performing in 1974. The late guitarist, who died in 1993, will be backed by former Zappa band members guitarists Ray White and Mike Keneally, bassist Scott Thunes and multi-instrumentalists Robert Martin and Ed Mann in addition to drummer and Zappa archivist Joe “Vaultmeister” Travers at each stop.
