Frank Zappa Strasse now open for business

BERLIN (Hollywood Today/AFP) 7/29/07 — -Berlin has named a street after the late rock legend and counterculture guru Frank Zappa in a ceremony complete with a tribute concert, organizers said Sunday.

Marzahn, a district on the eastern fringe of the capital made up of communist-era prefabricated high-rise housing blocks, became home to Germany’s first Frank Zappa Strasse late Saturday.

Orwo Haus, a former factory which calls itself the biggest practice centre for young bands in Europe, launched an initiative two years ago to rename 300-meter-long (980-foot-long) Street 13 after the provocative star.

Seventeen bands rocked into the night after the unveiling of the new street sign, covering hits by Zappa and his Mothers of Invention.

Zappa, who died of cancer in 1993 at the age of 52, still has a strong cult following, particularly in the former communist bloc.