Frank Zappa’s singer Ike Willis dead at 70
Ike Willis, the longstanding singer and guitarist for Frank Zappa, has died aged 70.
Willis became a longstanding part of Zappa’s band, first joining in 1978 and staying with him all the way up until his final tour in 1988, during which time he featured on iconic albums such as Joe’s Garage.
The news of the musician’s passing was announced by his family in a statement to Rolling Stone, saying he died in North Las Vegas on May 16th “among loved ones”.
No specific cause of death was revealed, but Willis had announced in 2022 that he was battling prostate cancer.
In an extensive statement, the family said they were “deeply heartbroken”, adding, “Ike was not only a great father, but a musician whose unmistakable voice, humor, and artistry left a lasting imprint on the music world. His years of collaboration with Frank Zappa made him a cherished figure within the Zappa community, where fans embraced him not only for his talent, but for his generosity, wit, and the joy he brought to every stage.”
The statement continued by noting some of Willis’ other ventures over the years, including being a mentor to young musicians and being a father who was “full of fun, warmth, and endless laughter”.
It concluded by saying the family were grateful for “the outpouring of love from fans and friends around the world. As we continue to gather final details and navigate this profound loss, we ask for patience and privacy. Thank you for honoring his life, his music, and his legacy.”
Tributes were also paid by various other former members of Zappa’s band, including drummers Vinnie Colaiuta and Chad Wackerman. The latter wrote on Facebook: “Ike was so much fun to be around,” before adding, “His ability to be creative and humorous gave Frank so much joy on stage.”
Although Willis was best-known as the voice of Joe in the iconic 1979 rock opera Joe’s Garage, he also featured on a slew of other Zappa records including Tinsel Town Rebellion, The Man From Utopia, Shut Up ‘n Play Yer Guitar, and Thing-Fish. He could also be heard on several of the musician’s live albums.
Willis was one of Zappa’s most rarely loyal musicians, staying with him for almost a decade before going off to form his own band, the Ike Willis Band, in the late 1980s. However, after Zappa died in 1993, he also became deeply involved in a number of different tribute outfits to the musician.
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