Popol Ace
Popol Ace was a Norwegian prog rock group, active between 1972 and 1978. It consisted of singer Jahn Teigen, guitarist/keyboardist Pete Knutsen, guitarist Arne Schulze, bassist Terje Methi, drummer/percussionist Thor Andreassen and flautist/trombonist Pjokken Eide. They were originally named Popol Vuh (1972-1975), but changed their name to avoid confusion with the far more famous German krautrock band of the same name.
Frank Zappa
In 1973, while performing in Kalalvøya, Norway, Frank Zappa heard Popol Ace (back then still Popol Vuh) and was so impressed that he invited Helge Westbye from their label Polydor over for a meeting at the Grand Hotel in Oslo. Zappa wanted to sign Popol Ace on DiscReet Records. He even took their debut album, Popol Vuh (1972), with him to the United States, giving them airplay on various US radio stations. According to drummer Thor Andreassen, they received very good reactions from US radio listeners.[1] However, the deal eventually fell through because Polydor wanted to keep Popol Ace on their own label. [2]
Two other musical artists Zappa once wanted to sign, but couldn't, were AC/DC and The B-52's.
