Halloween '78 - 2025 European Universal Records Splatter Vinyl 15-track 2LP set

It’s a well-known fact that in Zappa history, Halloween was not only FZ’s favorite holiday, but also a concert tradition in New York City. Every year, Zappa would play a run of shows over multiple nights during the Halloween holiday. The annual event grew in popularity over the years, culminating in a huge film event in 1977 (See “Baby Snakes - The Movie”) with its peak happening in 1978. Frank’s interaction with his New York audience is stuff of legend and the shows during 1978 reached a fever-pitch. 

“This is the BIG ONE” Zappa said as he addressed the crowd in his opening monologue. And it was, for even though the tradition continued as the touring years went on, after 1978 the pace changed. There were no Halloween shows in 1979, and during 1980 FZ unfortunately got sick and couldn’t get through the scheduled shows, causing cancellations. By 1981, although two shows were videotaped with a live broadcast on the then newly established MTV, the attitude and approach seemed to have a different feel, with more of a constructed atmosphere and less audience participation. 1978’s Halloween spectacle seemed to be the peak of an era.

Tracklisting.

Side 1. 
1. Show Start
2. Ancient Armaments
3. “Happy Halloween Everybody!”
4. Dancin’ Fool
5. Easy Meat

Side 2.
1. Conehead
2. Suicide Chump

Side 3.
1. Don’t Eat The Yellow Snow
2. Nanook Rubs It
3. St. Alfonzo’s Pancake Breakfast
4. Father O’Blivion
5. Rollo
6. Camarillo Brillo
7. Muffin Man

Side 4.
1. Black Napkins / The Deathless Horsie