Chuck Ash
Charles Ash, A.K.A. Chuck Ash, was a state trooper for the Pennsylvania State Police, who was also active as a TV interviewer.
Frank Zappa
On 3 November 1981, Ash interviewed Frank Zappa at the Mayfair Regent Hotel in New York City. [1] On 14 February 1988, Ash interviewed Zappa again at the Tower Theater in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania. [2] Ash and Zappa got along well, since they shared a similar outlook on drugs prevention. He attended a Zappa concert in 1988. Ash was also close with Zappa's bodyguard John Smothers and his wife Freckles.
Frank Zappa about Chuck Ash
During They're Doing the Interview of the Century, Part 1 (April 1990), by Eric Buxton, Rob Samler and Den Simms, Zappa talked about stores that refuse to sell his music and mentioned Chuck Ash as an informant:
Frank Zappa: "Well, actually, the guy to talk to about stores that won't stock my stuff is Trooper Ash, Chuck Ash, because he's gone to stores in Pennsylvania that just refuse to carry it. Did you meet Chuck? He was there in Washington D.C. He was a Pennsylvania State Trooper that did the interview with me ...".
Den Simms: I saw you talking with him. I was aware of him being there, yeah. But I haven't met him personally.
Frank Zappa: "So we'll give you his phone number. I mean, aside from being a State Trooper, he's also a fan, and ..."
Eric Buxton: That's a great interview.
Frank Zappa: "Yeah, a really good interview."
Den Simms: You did an interview with him back in '81 or something ...
Frank Zappa: "I've done two tapes with him that have been used in the Pennsylvania school systems."
Den Simms: Yeah, I remember from that earlier interview that he, uh, ... I found it kind of curious because he is a Pennsylvania State Trooper, I kinda thought, "Is this gonna lead into questions about drugs?" And I know what your views on drugs are ... .
Frank Zappa: "That's what it was, exactly. About drugs."
Den Simms: That's kinda what I assumed it would be used for, part of a ... somethin' for the kids.
Frank Zappa: "Well, they had a big disclaimer on it that these were Frank Zappa's views and not (laughter) the views of the Pennsylvania State Police." (laughs)
