Zappo And Frank Zappa

There are two good reasons to stop at Caterpillar Records shop while you visit the city of Cologne (Köln). One, you’re a big fan of Frank Zappa, you know the place and you don’t want to miss a visit to the temple of that multi-talented artist. Second, you wish to take the opportunity to be in the heart of one of the most amazing second hand records shops dedicated to alternative/progressive music circa late 60’s: Pink Floyd, Frank Zappa, Captain Beefheart and the likes.
Zappo is the man who runs the shop. No, I’m not kidding, that’s how he likes to be called. Zappo will welcome you in a very friendly way and let you share his passion and his devotion to one of the most amazing and important music singer-songwriters since rock music exist. Not only he runs the shop but also published a quarterly magazine dedicated to his idol, the ARF-Dossier (in English or in German depending on the language it was written by the contributors) and manage a very small label, Zappo Records.
Zappo was born in Praha long time ago and discovered the music of Frank Zappa in 1976 with the album We’re Only In It For The Money (released 1968). “It changed my life”, he said to me. At that time the black market helped him to collect and trade vinyls that were not easy to find behind the iron curtain. Further on, he followed Frank Zappa during some European tours between 84 and 88; he also crossed the ocean to see him during a west coast tour. One time he had the chance to say hello to his idol, like a hardcore devotee he his, he was pretty honored to receive an autograph from the big man.
Zappo is a fan like I am happy to meet, very generous and passionate, open enough to share and give you comments and advices about the music from that period. He is one of the last big music collectors from the early seventies.
Below, you’ll find some useful links to contact him but one personal advice: call him or send him a mail before you plan a visit because Mister Zappo travels a lot in Europe from records conventions to international music markets to promote or exchange the music he loves.

Caterpillar Records – Elsass Strasse 19 – D-50677 – Köln – Tel: 0221-328003
Mail: caterpillarrecords{at}freenet{dot}de
Web: www.arf-society.de

Frank Zappa - Who Needs The Peace Corps .mp3 via Feed Me Good Tunes
Captain Beefheart and Frank Zappa - Orange Claw Hammer .mp3
Frank Zappa - Who Are The Brain Police .mp3

Photo from Lucky Lady