FIDO PLAYS ZAPPA
with Bobby Martin

He was tied to the torture stake with dental floss, he visited the City of Small Lights, he was amazed by love - and his vocals were always on top: We're talking about Robert “Bobby” Martin, who as lead singer shaped the sound of Frank Zappa's band from 1981 until their farewell tour in 1988. He also worked on a long list of productions with big names (Bette Middler, Paul McCartney, Michael McDonald, Prince, Etta James, Patti Labelle, The Moody Blues and many others).

It took two songs at the Zappanale 2022 for the spark to ignite between the US American, whose 74 years are neither visible nor audible, and the Swiss tribute troupe FidoPlaysZappa, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. And it was clear from the last bars of “Montana”, which Martin performed as special guest at the Fido gig, that this couldn't be it.

And it's not: In October 22 and also on the upcoming tour in February/March 2023, Bobby Martin will climb into the nightliner with the FiDOs - now not as the guest of honor, but as the only lead singer of the full-length program - to show off: Frank Zappa's music is not dead, it doesn't even smell funny.

With the fearless mixture of snotty, rocking live show paired with virtuoso Swiss precision craftsmanship, with which the stage-experienced professionals live out their passion for the music of the Great American Composer, the Swiss Tribute Orchestra knows how to captivate every audience. The six musicians celebrate obscure stories of modified dogs, smelly feet, sad Eskimos and all sorts of other curiosities of life in many voices and with verve. FiDO shamelessly exploit improvisational freedom, break stylistic boundaries with virtuosity and make full use of the musical diversity and compositional humor of Zappa's work. With numerous inspiring live shows throughout Europe and six recordings, the Swiss tribute orchestra has earned a place in the Olympus of the worldwide Zappa community over the last two decades: stylish, virtuosic, humorous and with their very own approach, FiDO continue to intoxicate themselves and their audience with the great work of Frank Zappa even after 20 years.