Castaway's Choice

In 1989 Frank Zappa appeared on the American radio show Castaway's Choice, hosted by John McNally. The format is based on the long-running BBC radio show Desert Island Discs, where guests can pick out their ten favorite records to bring along to a deserted island.

Zappa's 10 favorite records to bring to a deserted island

• Octandre by Edgard Varèse.
• The Royal March From "L'Histoire Du Soldat" by Igor Stravinsky.
• The Rite Of Spring by Igor Stravinsky.
• The first movement from Third Piano Concerto, by Béla Bartók.
• Stolen Moments by Oliver Nelson.
• Three Hours Past Midnight by Johnny "Guitar" Watson.
• Can I Come Over Tonight? by The Velours.
• Bagatelles for String Quartet by Anton Webern.
• Symphony, Opus 21 by Anton Webern.
• Piano Concerto in G by Maurice Ravel.

Zappa described the Bartok piece as: "I think it is one of the most beautiful melodies ever written". When asked to limit his choice to just one of these records he selected Three Hours Past Midnight.