Frank Zappa’s legacy as a guitar virtuoso, brilliant composer, social satirist and master of irony is unparalleled. Now, on what would have been his 72nd birthday, his estate, is doing something that once again puts him on the forefront of the music industry.This week, The Zappa Family Trust will sell copies of the master recordings of “Roxy by Proxy,” an unreleased show from 1974.For $1,000, fans can purchase the music, liner notes and artwork. They can then make copies and sell them on their own or give them away as gifts. Licensees can charge whatever they feel the market value is for the CDs. However, they must pay Zappa Records a royalty of $1.20 for every copy sold or delivered. In a press release, the Trust said this: “We are hopeful that you will show us how to do it better than it has ever been done before.”
Gail Zappa, wife the late musician and the executrix of the Zappa Family Trust explains why Zappa Records is marking his birthday this way.