Appreciating frank zappa

[ProfessorGAC]

8. My Zappa Story

I've posted this before but for those Frank fans who didn't see it, I'll post it again.
In the early 90s (1992, I think) I was in Frankfurt, Germany to visit a reactor design company we worked with.
I had a couple engineers with me and the first afternoon we were heading back to our room and this guy passed us with a young woman & teenaged boy.
One of my guys said "That guy looks familiar." I said "Yeah, that was Frank Zappa."
The next morning I go down for breakfast and I see Frank sitting in the atrium (Frankfurter Hof) drinking coffee & reading the USA Today International.
I went over to tell him I really liked his "Shut Up 'n Play Yer Guitar" series.
He said thanks then said "You must be a musician. They're the only ones who ever say that."
I told him I was a keyboardist & guitarist. And, as I was about to walk away he asked me if I had breakfast yet. I said no & he says "Well, have a seat with me." & he calls the waiter over.
A minute or so later, my 2 guys head toward the restaurant but I just waved them by toward the restaurant.
So for 40 minutes or so Frank & I talked guitars, music & baseball. (Yep, baseball. Who knew?)
As I need to leave I stand up and reach for the bill to sign it and he says "No, I've got this."
So, I had breakfast with Frank, in Germany, and he paid for it.
About a year & a half later he died.
Talk about being in the right place at the right time!