Don Preston: 92 Years and Still Rocking

Video Description

What happens when you mix jazz genius, rock revolution, and a healthy dose of wild storytelling? You get Don Preston—and this episode is a ride through one of the most eclectic musical journeys of the 20th century. 🎶✨ In a rare, candid interview, the legendary keyboardist and composer sits down with Rob Cass at the dopeYEAH club to reflect on his life, his art, and his one-of-a-kind legacy—from touring with his father’s big band as a child to helping Frank Zappa shape the sound of The Mothers of Invention. Don shares hilarious and jaw-dropping moments from his career: playing in an army band at a brothel, dating identical twins, composing for Apocalypse Now, and writing music for over 24 films. 🎬 He dives deep into what it was really like working with Zappa—from their first jam session to being the only band member whose music Frank would perform live. Plus, his thoughts on rock legends like Ringo Starr, the challenges of 1950s racial divides in jazz, and why Stravinsky, Bach, and Schoenberg still shape his musical DNA. And yes, there are plenty of musical interludes throughout: from his signature synth improvisations to a special rooftop performance at the dopeYEAH club. 🚀 Whether you’re a Zappa fan, synth nerd, or jazz head, this is the interview you didn’t know you needed. Tune in now for tales of mayhem, music, and a man who truly redefined modern sound. 🎵 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 🕒 CHAPTERS: 00:00 Episode recap 01:08 Don Preston playing live at the dopeYEAH club 01:44 Welcoming Don Preston to dopeYEAH, the "Cathedral of Sound" 02:44 Traveling with my father’s band around the USA 06:06 Don Preston playing live at the dopeYEAH club 06:59 In order to sell instruments, you have to play them 10:23 Don Preston playing live at the dopeYEAH club 11:26 Started playing piano at the age of 5 14:06 Don Preston playing live at the dopeYEAH club 14:48 Playing with an army band in a whorehouse 19:16 Writing music for a big band 22:09 How I started playing bass 26:11 Racial issues in bands in 1950s America 28:32 Dating identical twin girls 30:31 Having an owl as a pet 35:28 Don Preston playing live at the dopeYEAH club 36:09 Carla Bley – good friend and talented musician 38:52 Composing music for Apocalypse Now 46:31 Composing 24 movie scores 49:01 The first time I met Frank Zappa 53:09 Frank Zappa was fascinated with my wife 55:37 What it was really like working with Frank Zappa 58:58 Life-changing gig at the Royal Albert Hall 01:00:32 One of the worst movies ever made starring Frank Zappa 01:02:17 Ringo Starr doesn’t play very well 01:05:09 My best show with Frank Zappa 01:06:32 Future plans for Don Preston 01:08:41 Don Preston playing live at the dopeYEAH club ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 🎧 Don’t forget to: 👍 Like 🔔 Subscribe 💬 Comment 📲 Share STAY TUNED ON SOCIALS: https://instagram.com/dopeyeah.talk https://www.tiktok.com/@dopeyeahtalk?_t=8pWkf42Rm9h&_r=1 https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563840578898 https://x.com/dopeYEAHtalk #donpreston #frankzappa