Carolyn Dean & Bob Neveritt | 40 Years in the Wilderness, 1988

Carolyn and Bob attended Zappa’s three concerts in Manhattan during the first week of February, 1988.

This was the beginning of the BROADWAY THE HARD WAY tour which unfortunately would be abandoned in Europe in the summer and leave Zappa fans on the West Coast sadly unable to engage “the best band you never heard in your life”.

Sure glad we went to those early concerts (we even went to a fourth one in Buffalo a month later).

Bob’s longtime Zappa colleague, Henry Greenbaum, had secured four tickets for the first night (SkyGoddess Sue made certain she would be there, too).

Bob spoke to Gail Zappa after the concert and asked her to give Frank copies of his THE PERFECT PITCH zine.

Unforeseen by Bob and Gail was the looming major event of 1988 wherein Bob would give Bob Marshall the opportunity to interview Frank on October 21-22, 1988, at Frank’s home.

This massive 7-hour interview (the last 3.5 hours was off the record) would go on to be quoted by the many Zappa biographers in the ensuing decades.

Frank Zappa even wanted to release it as a CD but was soon distracted by the end of the Cold War and his creeping prostate cancer.

Ian Arlett, Bob’s bodyguard, when Bob ran his successful campaign to become Chairperson of the Secret Council of Ten, March 2, 1988.

Carolyn in her office at her Medical Center, 598 St. Clair Avenue West in Toronto, 1988.

Carolyn gives her first seminar organized by SkyGoddess Sue in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on April 22, 1988.

Carolyn and Bob are invited to stay at Gerry Fialka’s home after attending Mae Brussell’s funeral in the first week of October 1988. When we arrive, Gerry is not at home. He is busy doing something for Frank Zappa, Gerry’s employer.

Gerry’s backyard.

Carolyn, Bob and Gerry hit it off, sharing their love of Frank Zappa’s music.

Note the photos and collages behind Bob’s head.

Gerry quickly arranges for Frank Zappa to be interviewed by Bob Marshall. Bob Marshall is flown in to Los Angeles.

Frank Zappa is so impressed with the interview that he wants to release a CD of it. Bob and Gerry are holding copies of the interview, the original cassettes having been given to Frank Zappa.

The alley behind Gerry’s home.

Connoisseurs of Barking Pumpkin Records.

One of many murals along the Venice Beach boardwalk.