Eddie Jobson
Eddie Jobson (May 28, 1955) is a British violinist, singer and keyboardist, who during his early career played in bands as Fat Grapple, Curved Air and Roxy Music. He also contributed performances on King Crimson's "USA" album and several solo albums by members of Roxy Music, The Who and Deep Purple.
Jobson caught Zappa's attention when Roxy Music opened for Zappa at the Mecca Auditorium, Milwaukee on 28 November 1975. Zappa asked Jobson to accompany the Mothers Of Invention the following month for a week in Canada.
Jobson guest performed on violin in Hamilton, 7 December, and Montreal on 8 December - all the while playing with Zappa in dressing rooms and hotels as Frank assessed his talents:
"Black Napkins" was my audition track. I went on tour with Zappa when I was still with Roxy Music. Frank flew me to Canada, and I went around with him on tour in Canada after Roxy tour. I used to play in the dressing room with Frank and Norma Bell, saxophone player. One night I was playing in the dressing room [a] little bit. [...] He just said, "I want you to come on the stage tonight" from the dressing room. I was just like traveling around with him, but he wanted me to play on the stage. I was completely unprepared and had no idea of what was going on the stage. It was like five minutes before the concert started, so I had to go on the stage with the violin. He played this "Black Napkins," which he wrote on this tour, and that was my audition in front of 10,000 people. He pointed [at] me, and I had to do [a] solo over "Black Napkins." Then he did something else, and he sent the keyboard player off the stage, put me on the keyboard, and he did some other songs. I forget what we did [...] and again, that was like part of my audition. He just pointed like solo, you know. I was playing this guy's keyboard, and I didn't even know how it worked. I tried to read the knobs and expressive devices because he had a synthesizer that I didn't even know [...] On the stage! This is my live audition, and next night I think I played again with him in Montreal.- Jobson interviewed in 1995
He became a member of the band in 1976. Jobson appeared on the cover of Zoot Allures though he didn't play a note on it. He did however perform on Zappa In New York.
Jobson's musical contributions on Zappa albums
- Zappa In New York
- Studio Tan
- Shut Up 'n Play Yer Guitar
- You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore Vol. 6
- Läther
- Conceptual Continuity
- An Evening In Detroit
The track "Läther" appears on the 2018 compilation CD 1971-1979 The Band Years.
Further career
In 1977 Jobson left Zappa and formed the group UK. Terry Bozzio performed drums and percussion on UK's albums "Danger Money" and the live set "Night After Night". In 1980, UK broke up and Jobson performed with Jethro Tull and Yes while also pursuing a solo career.
