Zappa was a true genius and a great human being! I'm amazed every time I hear a new Zappa song or story. He made so much much music I'm still finding more after 50 years. First saw Zappa perform in 1970. RIP brothers.
I remember holding that CD and reading the titles...I thought " How can this be?" 🤔 Later learned the story of their relationship R.I.P. Frank and Jerry 🌷😎
I had the pleasure of seeing the persuasions perform at the Ark theater in Ann Arbor mich 1987 with my best friend "Pastor Stephen Bell , Paula Daniels(RIP) & my unborn son (6 months ) The power and clarity of there voices was other worldly. I think later they lost Tubo.
Frank never gave a DAMN! about standards or norms. He just cared about great music and solid talent. And if you want to hear some solid talent, listen to The Persuasion sing Zappa.
Yes indeed, the National Treasure that is Frank Zappa recognized those cut from the same bolt of clothe my friend. Jerry, we have talked more than once in our life experience as it has happened. Once when I was 19 in 1976 Jimmy Hayes and you invited me by calling me up onto your stage at the "Childe Harolde" on Georgia Avenue in Washington D.C. It was both a terrifying and wholly inspirational transformational event for me, there I was standing on this stage in front of about 200 or more people. Fronting you guys, singing the lead as you guys so generously gave me the unthinkable opportunity for any bright eyed dude I was then. Of course the truth is I was so intimidated by the amazing reality of that moment I forgot not only the words to the song, but damn near my own name. Dude, it was as if I was confused as to the affirmation of it's authenticity, or was this in fact a dream sequence. Well, it was a dream for real. You all were so kind, so encouraging, so supportive, so human to me that is to this day has me continuing to try to learn how to sing. Inspired by the idea that if the incredible, impacting nature of your wisdoms and brilliance as artist saw something in me. No matter how small a chance it might be or was, it has been enough to sustain a lifetime..44 years is some peoples lifetime. That is how long I have been working to be the best performer I can possibly ever become. Why, because you all were that pebble the Grateful Dead sing on in "Ripple". Where there is an action so to is an equal and opposite reaction. Your significant act of kindness, generosity shown me so long ago is as powerful for me in my life, keeping me mindful to remain humble and pray that the Lord will take me as far as he can. How far is a relative measure. Some folks consider it folly cause I haven't made money. I tell them,"Hey man! When something makes you have goosebumps while you do it because you see it as a true gift afforded you by a great authority. The only authority there really is, the Creator has seen it just for me to enjoy singing and I have grown up to realize that simply having the opportunities to perform with artists I could have only imagined meeting just a few years ago are proof that God approves of my enthusiastic desire to become the messenger that these "Persuasions" persuaded me to be all those years ago right up to this immediate moment and beyond it to where ever it will lead me. For all this I am so profoundly grateful to the Lord and equally grateful to all the original artists that made up the incredible group "The Persuasions". Grateful that these distinguished messengers of our Lord would hear me singing with them and call me up, ask me my name, if I knew the words to Sam Cook's "Chain Gang". I did know the words, or so I thought until it was time to sing them, enveloped in the incredible reality of the moment, this is real Paul. You are really standing in for the lead singer, Jerry Lawson. Whom is now currently right behind you, singing backup for "ME"?!? Too amazing to really be true, well it is a true story and one that I will consider one of the most glorious meetings and event of my life. You guys made me believe that I could swim with the big fish in the deep water. Now here I am in Vegas still doing the Dog Paddle, but still learning to sing. One day I might even truly believe I have become that Messenger for the people that You, Jimmy, Jayotis, Sweet Joe, Toubo and Dave were for me on that night, in that moment, that flash of kindness. One that lit a fire that has raged some 44 years now. That is my testimony to the Power of the Persuasions as it affected my goals, my dreams, my happiness and overall peace of mind and nourishment to my soul. Paul La Bonte "Cosmic Buffalo" your "Buffalo Soldier in Las Vegas" I invite you to come out and be the guest of the weekly show,"Sherry Gordy presents "Take the Stage" with the fabulous All Star Band led my Skip Rice and featuring Billy Nunn, my old and dear friend and one of the Original Stone City Band. Pioneers of Funk, Soul and R&B genre of music, whose contributions have just recently been certified by Motown with it's presentation to Billy Nunn the Motown Lifetime achievement award for innovations in the Funk, Soul and R&B forms of music. Wow! Be my guest and let me show you and the world what your inspiration has manifested in me because of Jimmy, Jerry, Jayotis, Sweet Joe, Toubo and Dave's extended hand of kindness to this man that stands here now. Let me say..Thank you..God Bless you for being that shining example to reach for. All of you are God's Blessing to the world my friend. How blessed am I to have crossed your paths, to have you all give me the inspiration literally of my life..as it is today. Who knows what tomorrow brings. Live for the moment and reach for the stars, cause with God's help..nothing is impossible. Nothing!!!!
Brilliant. I just discovered this. Frank remains incomparable. I never knew this about the persuasions but I am not surprised. Frankly A Capella is an excellent listen.
Zappa was a true genius and a great human being!
I'm amazed every time I hear a new Zappa song or story. He made so much much music I'm still finding more after 50 years. First saw Zappa perform in 1970.
RIP brothers.
Their arrangement of The Meek Shall Inherit Nothing is by far my favorite version. Particularly the live recording where they say "minds fvcked up".
Lovely and heartfelt.....Zappa's heart shined in wonderful places. And The Persuasions.....man!
That was awesome Rest In Peace Jerry & Frank thank you for all the great music ✌️ & ❤️
Jerry is wonderful man may he be blessed in all he does.
we were at the VA Beach concert. Zappa ruled the small hall.
I remember holding that CD and reading the titles...I thought " How can this be?" 🤔 Later learned the story of their relationship
R.I.P. Frank and Jerry 🌷😎
Rip : Jerry Lawson (January 23 1944 - July 10 2019)
OMG, today is July 15, 2019 and I'm reading Jerry Lawson died 5 days ago. Rest in Heaven. God Bless his family.
Aww. 🙏🏼
I had the pleasure of seeing the persuasions perform at the Ark theater in Ann Arbor mich 1987 with my best friend "Pastor Stephen Bell , Paula Daniels(RIP) & my unborn son (6 months ) The power and clarity of there voices was other worldly. I think later they lost Tubo.
Frank Zappa was the white version of Parliament Funkadelic
Frank never gave a DAMN! about standards or norms. He just cared about great music and solid talent. And if you want to hear some solid talent, listen to The Persuasion sing Zappa.
Man, oh man how I do love Jerry Lawson!
Yes indeed, the National Treasure that is Frank Zappa recognized those cut from the same bolt of clothe my friend. Jerry, we have talked more than once in our life experience as it has happened. Once when I was 19 in 1976 Jimmy Hayes and you invited me by calling me up onto your stage at the "Childe Harolde" on Georgia Avenue in Washington D.C. It was both a terrifying and wholly inspirational transformational event for me, there I was standing on this stage in front of about 200 or more people. Fronting you guys, singing the lead as you guys so generously gave me the unthinkable opportunity for any bright eyed dude I was then. Of course the truth is I was so intimidated by the amazing reality of that moment I forgot not only the words to the song, but damn near my own name. Dude, it was as if I was confused as to the affirmation of it's authenticity, or was this in fact a dream sequence. Well, it was a dream for real. You all were so kind, so encouraging, so supportive, so human to me that is to this day has me continuing to try to learn how to sing. Inspired by the idea that if the incredible, impacting nature of your wisdoms and brilliance as artist saw something in me. No matter how small a chance it might be or was, it has been enough to sustain a lifetime..44 years is some peoples lifetime. That is how long I have been working to be the best performer I can possibly ever become. Why, because you all were that pebble the Grateful Dead sing on in "Ripple". Where there is an action so to is an equal and opposite reaction. Your significant act of kindness, generosity shown me so long ago is as powerful for me in my life, keeping me mindful to remain humble and pray that the Lord will take me as far as he can.
How far is a relative measure. Some folks consider it folly cause I haven't made money. I tell them,"Hey man! When something makes you have goosebumps while you do it because you see it as a true gift afforded you by a great authority. The only authority there really is, the Creator has seen it just for me to enjoy singing and I have grown up to realize that simply having the opportunities to perform with artists I could have only imagined meeting just a few years ago are proof that God approves of my enthusiastic desire to become the messenger that these "Persuasions" persuaded me to be all those years ago right up to this immediate moment and beyond it to where ever it will lead me. For all this I am so profoundly grateful to the Lord and equally grateful to all the original artists that made up the incredible group "The Persuasions". Grateful that these distinguished messengers of our Lord would hear me singing with them and call me up, ask me my name, if I knew the words to Sam Cook's "Chain Gang". I did know the words, or so I thought until it was time to sing them, enveloped in the incredible reality of the moment, this is real Paul. You are really standing in for the lead singer, Jerry Lawson. Whom is now currently right behind you, singing backup for "ME"?!? Too amazing to really be true, well it is a true story and one that I will consider one of the most glorious meetings and event of my life. You guys made me believe that I could swim with the big fish in the deep water. Now here I am in Vegas still doing the Dog Paddle, but still learning to sing. One day I might even truly believe I have become that Messenger for the people that You, Jimmy, Jayotis, Sweet Joe, Toubo and Dave were for me on that night, in that moment, that flash of kindness. One that lit a fire that has raged some 44 years now. That is my testimony to the Power of the Persuasions as it affected my goals, my dreams, my happiness and overall peace of mind and nourishment to my soul.
Paul La Bonte "Cosmic Buffalo" your "Buffalo Soldier in Las Vegas"
I invite you to come out and be the guest of the weekly show,"Sherry Gordy presents "Take the Stage" with the fabulous All Star Band led my Skip Rice and featuring Billy Nunn, my old and dear friend and one of the Original Stone City Band. Pioneers of Funk, Soul and R&B genre of music, whose contributions have just recently been certified by Motown with it's presentation to Billy Nunn the Motown Lifetime achievement award for innovations in the Funk, Soul and R&B forms of music. Wow! Be my guest and let me show you and the world what your inspiration has manifested in me because of Jimmy, Jerry, Jayotis, Sweet Joe, Toubo and Dave's extended hand of kindness to this man that stands here now. Let me say..Thank you..God Bless you for being that shining example to reach for. All of you are God's Blessing to the world my friend. How blessed am I to have crossed your paths, to have you all give me the inspiration literally of my life..as it is today. Who knows what tomorrow brings.
Live for the moment and reach for the stars, cause with God's help..nothing is impossible. Nothing!!!!
This is lovely.
Just the kind of odd topic Frank would appreciate.
Brilliant. I just discovered this. Frank remains incomparable. I never knew this about the persuasions but I am not surprised. Frankly A Capella is an excellent listen.
The Persuasions were awesome. I saw them when they opened for Cheech & Chong.
I thought I knew everything
gracious
Beautiful. Thanks.
“Cool”
Montàna
Wow, very cool
Jay Otis!
❤