From Street Performer to Zappa’s Studio
In the late 1960s, Los Angeles streets echoed with the eccentric songs of Larry “Wild Man” Fischer, who offered spontaneous a cappella tunes to strangers for a dime. His unusual style caught the attention of Frank Zappa, leader of the Mothers of Invention, who believed that Fischer’s raw performances deserved to be recorded.
Recording An Evening with Wild Man Fischer
Zappa signed Fischer to his Bizarre label and in 1968 produced the double album An Evening with Wild Man Fischer. The sessions featured Fischer singing about his mother, life in mental hospitals, and his longing for recognition.
Zappa brought in the Mothers of Invention, producer Kim Fowley, radio DJ Rodney Bingenheimer, and his girl group the GTOs to contribute to the recording. The result was a sprawling, unconventional project unlike anything in popular music at the time.
Appearances and Rising Attention
The Zappa connection gave Fischer exposure beyond the streets. In September 1968, he appeared on the television show Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In, performing songs such as “The Leaves Are Falling” and “Merry-Go-Round.”
That December, Zappa also included Fischer in a Christmas concert alongside the Mothers, Alice Cooper, Easy Chair, and the GTOs, where he sang “Circles.” Critics took notice, with Rolling Stone praising the album for capturing Fischer’s strange presence.
Sudden Break and Fallout
Despite the exposure, Fischer was frustrated that the album did not bring him the fame he expected. Tensions grew, and one day his volatility surfaced.
During a visit to Zappa’s home, Fischer threw a bottle that narrowly missed Zappa’s infant daughter, Moon. The incident abruptly ended their working relationship. While Zappa had once considered Fischer a unique artist worthy of documentation, he cut ties permanently after that event.
Aftermath and Album’s Fate
Though Fischer went on to record other projects, An Evening with Wild Man Fischer remained the defining record of his career.
After Zappa’s death in 1993, his widow Gail Zappa inherited the rights and refused to reissue the album, calling it a poor example of Frank’s work. As a result, the record was unavailable for decades except to collectors, preserving the collaboration as a singular and fleeting moment in music history.
On Los Angeles sidewalks in 1967, Larry “Wild Man” Fischer sold strange songs for a dime.
When Frank Zappa noticed, the eccentric street act suddenly leapt into the studio, sparking a collaboration that began with promise and ended in turmoil…🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/nJ93XDrcHz
— Fascinating True Stories (@FascinatingTrue) September 15, 2025